Blankenheim to Kronenburg, 25Km
Blankenheim is not a place for late night revellers and there was nowhere to watch the Euros semi final except in my hotel room. The TV resembled the one on which I watched England beat West Germany in the World Cup final in 1966. Back then, the picture was too fuzzy to have a video referee and the man on the pitch didn’t know if the ball had crossed the goal line. Fortunately for England, the linesman came from the Soviet Union and inevitably the goal was given. Nowadays the officials must be neutral.
The hotel’s owner was unable to serve me a beer because his bar was closed but he eventually conceded me a small bottle of alcohol free beer. It’s all because the Euros are taking place in Germany and they were knocked out ages ago. The bunting has come down and they can’t wait for the show to be over.
It’s unbelievable. In the short time I’ve been away, we’re on the verge of winning a football final for the first time since 1966 and we have a new Government.
I can’t think of much to write about today. The thunderstorms that were forecast didn’t materialise, the rain never came, the weather was perfect for walking, the scenery just gets better, my arrival in Kronenburg was greeted with a cup of green tea and a large slice of cheesecake, my accommodation is lavish and only 55 euros plus 1 euro tax and the owners have a very decent restaurant across the road. I know it’s more interesting when I’m suffering but things change quickly and the weather here is unpredictable.
Pilgrimage 
Well, I hope you can find a beer in Kronenburg. If not, there’s no hope.
Yes I rather like Kronenburg and the beer is strictly Bitburger. Nothing foreign here
Presumably you can get one of your favourite beers Kronenberg in Kronenberg?
I was hoping so. But of course you can only get German beers in Germany. Kronenbourg 1666 is from Strasbourg which admittedly used to be part of Germany
I find it refreshing that you are enjoying good weather and beautiful surroundings. True, doing it without beer is a bummer.
or even zero alcohol beer.
Now that’s an interesting mindset, Tim – “things are more interesting when I’m suffering.” I, for one, don’t find that to be true. In fact, your quip about how the world has changed since you started walking brought up all kinds of thoughts about the peace and wonder that comes from complete disconnection from every day life and also some joy for you that really good things seem to be happening in the world — at least on your side of it. I remember so well what was happening in Spring of 2016 on my side of the world. How removed I felt from it at the time (how much I wish to be removed from it now!!!). Sure, you could look for, and experience, more suffering. But why? There’s already so much out there. A good dose of peace and calm and joy and beauty is such a balm for the soul! My wish is that you look for and experience much more of that! 🙂
Hi DJ, I know someone who wrote a book about his wonderful pilgrimage only for it to be declined because the publisher said “no one wants to read about your good times. Add some suffering and it will sell!” That’s what I meant. As you know, walking a Camino can be a hard experience and I try to limit my “suffering” to the absence of a good cappuccino at the right time of day. The changes over the past week have been interesting but since 2016 they have been cataclysmic. Europe is splintering. I’m walking to Schengen because of what it means – the absence of border controls. I hope it survives the current turmoil
I’m with you on that one, Tim! I’ve been thinking about retiring in Europe, but with the turmoil there (thank goodness for recent election results in the UK and France!), I’m reconsidering.
Publishers are an interesting breed. Yes, the Camino can be daunting at times. But my memories are of the best of it, not the challenges. I get that they want a little “suffering” as a counterpoint, but to me it’s the joy and the peace that remain with me. If not finding a cappuccino (or maybe an ice cream or a beer — or a decent place to watch the Euros) is the extent of your suffering, then I think you’re living your best life! 🙂
oh Tim I don’t enjoy when ” you’ re suffering, but I enjoy your humour.
It ‘ s incredible no beer in the town of Cronemburg… Go to Strasbourg in the district of Cronembourg , the beer flows like water 😅
I must go to Strasbourg! I like the Kronenbourg 1666 beer!
Kia ora, Tim. Thanks for the first picture, love the beauty of the countryside. I was on my OE in London in 1966 and it was an unbelievable experience when England won. Picadilly Circus was a traffic jam and the car horns a very unmusical cacophony. I didn’t go to bed until the next day I had so much fun. Never before or since have I been kissed by so many strangers. I hope that you find a great TV to watch the final and a fine beer to celebrate – or ease your suffering. Perhaps the hills will bring suffering if the final doesn’t! Kia kaha
Hi Vicky, I thought of you when I saw those horses. Football, what would we do without it?
Tim
Not withstanding the German attitude to Sunday I hope that you’ll find a hostelry to enjoy the final. Finding yourself in a football wilderness may of course be a blessing in disguise. Marvelous countryside however.
I’m relieved it’s an evening match and the commentary is helping my German – abseits! (Offside!)
On suffering, we have our own (very cold weather, totally seasonably appropriate, but … one can have too much of fog …). Luckily your beautiful photos (insect heaven especially) counteract that! And another question, about the difficulty of obtaining beer, is it not sold in supermarkets in Germany? Or do small lovely villages not have such abominations?
I’m glad you liked that insect heaven photo. The area was a nature reserve promoting insects and there were some information boards showing some of the rarer insects. As for the beer, there was a Lidl 33 minutes away
I never equate long distance walking with suffering; sustained effort regardless of the little discomforts (& they are little in the scheme of things) is what brings the reward & sense of accomplishment.
What I think we all love about your writing (& photos) Tim, is you convey the sheer joy of what you’re doing in subtle ways…& your wonderful sense of humour (also subtle) relays the quirks we encounter when choosing such undertakings.
Long may you walk…& write about it! 🤗
I appreciate your comment and perhaps “suffering” is too strong a word. Challenging?