Brühl to Bonn, 22Km
This Camino, which starts in Cologne, offers a choice of routes via Brühl or Bonn for the first few days before they merge again. I wanted to visit both places so this morning I set off through more suburbs until I reached the alternative route which follows the Rhine up to Bonn, the former capital of West Germany.
I was expecting a pleasant walk along the river but it was a tarmac international cycle way, the river on one side and a wooded area on the other. Electric bikes sped between Cologne and Bonn at alarming speeds and the path went on to infinity. I know that because I passed a sign to the planet Neptune.
At one point I escaped up some rusty steps to one of the Grimms villages in the woods and found an ice cream shop with wonderful industrial machines in the back, noisily stirring the gelato. I wasn’t tempted (remembering Hansel & Gretel) but I had a cappuccino.
Later, on the approach to Bonn, I came across the first sign of civilisation: a riverside cafe where my lunch was a Bratwurst with potato salad and a 400ml beer. After that, I strode into Bonn and found my hotel almost next door to the house where Beethoven was born. It could only happen in Germany.
Pilgrimage 
England won on penalties so there will be some celebrating. Is there a path that doesn’t follow the river?
I’m heading inland from now on. Probably trees on both sides of the path
The England supporter is right behind the camera!
That was a fabulous looking lunch especially the beer if not a little on the small side ?
Beers seem to be 200 or 400ml but you can order another
Yes of course, I couldn’t see the others lined up and ready to go👍
Passed on ice-cream…tsk, tsk 😏
Hey peregrino! You started your current pilgrimage during the period of time when we celebrate independence from Britain 🙂 so I’m a bit late to the party. Am now caught up and will be following your current trek. I’ve gotten involved with the American Pilgrims on the Camino Iowa chapter. Enjoying engaging with pilgrims and supporting others — I currently have a mentee who just walked into Santiago today. What an accomplishment! Do you remember meeting there and retiring to the Parador for a bit of wine? (I’d upload the photo as a reminder, but not sure I can do that here.)
So, buen camino, peregrino! I have no idea how to say that in German. Stay hydrated and eat more ice cream!
DJ! How great to hear from you. I remember very well drinking some fizzy wine with you in the Parador. The Camino Frances is now so busy perhaps you could divert a few of your pilgrims up here where there is only one, this week. I just had an ice cream so don’t worry about me. It’s funny, I was such a newbie back in 2016, all the mistakes I made, the junk I was carrying, the terrible blisters …Someone suggested writing a blog and that was the best advice because I have a record of every pilgrimage I’ve made (this is my 9th) but mainly because I can keep in touch with some of my pilgrim friends. Keep up the good work with your pilgrims
Not sure if this will work. But here’s the photo! (I hope)
Nope. Didn’t work. I tried the URL from my Google photos, but clearly that isn’t the right way. Suffice it to say that I enjoyed seeing our smiling faces toasting our grand accomplishment on June 16, 2016.
Oh, and you really did see a sign for Neptune! I thought you were being hyperbolic!