Köln to Brühl, 18Km
It felt good to get my backpack on this morning and start the walk, even if it was only through the dull and congested suburbs of Cologne. I counted just two crop fields all the way to Brühl and several Aldi and Lidl stores etc..
Brühl, however, is a delight. It’s dominated by the early 18th century Augustusburg Palace and its huge gardens, a masterpiece of early rococo architecture. By good luck I arrived with a party of Vikings and joined their English language tour so I know quite a lot about the place. It’s UNESCO listed, of course and was built by the Archbishop Elector of Cologne, Clemens August of Bavaria. It was all too much for him; he died in debt and they literally sold all the furniture to finish it.
The Vikings were on a tight schedule and departed after seeing a few rooms so the guide took me on a private tour of the secret passageways used by the servants who had to stay out of sight.
After that came the highlight of the day, the Max Ernst Museum. He was brought up here and the Germans have built a worthy museum to the primary pioneer of the Dada movement and European surrealism. Strangely, I was the only person there, apart from the security guards. Max Ernst transcended multiple isms so I’ve added fauvism and futurism to yesterday’s collection. He also dabbled with Impressionism. There’s no place like Germany for great 20th century art.
Finally, I was introduced to Afrofuturism in a special exhibition before I was thrown out at closing time.
Pilgrimage 
Is that a postcard from your cat, from his skiing holiday, whilst you’re away?
If it was, I’d be very rich
Hello Tim from the Sherratt family. We are enjoying your blog, Germany looks great and we are pleased you are travelling once more.
Yep it’s a great country and I’m pleased to finally be here
oh dear, poor Germany vs Spain
I’m keeping a low profile in the bar. Such a shame it didn’t go to penalties
so are you now a pilgramism?
one of the founders!!!
An education as always Tim.
These days I’m too lazy to look up my trusty big & heavy Oxford dictionary so a googling definitions I go!