As we were not under any great pressure or time constraints we had a leisurely start to the day with breakfast and coffees lingering on until well after 09:00.
The weather looked a bit miserable initially and the hint of a slight drizzle further delayed our plans to head into Düsseldorf for a day’s sight seeing.
Eventually in warm jackets and raincoats at hand Edel drove us into Düsseldorf central and we parked in an underground car park, with the entrance from inside a tunnel.
We walked through the old part of the town with its pedestrian mall making for easy movement free from traffic and noise. We then headed along the embankment of the Rhine watching the long freighter boats heading in both directions with the upstream vessels having to work hard against the strong current. The embankment used to be a highway but now the road is underground and the Rhine’s riverbank is a tourist area with restaurants, shops and open garden spaces. Close by is a church with a tall spire that is not symmetrical. It was damaged initially by a fire and when repaired it was made too heavy and it twisted into an uneven cone. It was decided to reinforce the structure and leave it with this aberration which has now become a landmark point of interest.
Town Hall, Dusseldorf
Cartwheel boy, Dusseldorf
After some coffee and exotic fruit infusion teas we went to the 168m high observation deck of the Düsseldorf communication tower. The weather had now improved with patches of sunshine and the panoramic view from the tower was magnificent with us being able to see as far south as Cologne. The scene below us was like viewing a ‘Legoland’ town with everything in miniature. Some of the newest buildings in the city close by were designed by the renowned architect Frank O Gehry. One of his creations involved a multi-storey building clad in curved shiny mirror like panels.
Mint tea, Dusseldorf
Corinne & Edel in Lowensenf mustard shop
Another building had giant multi-coloured geckos (flossies – flossy is German for flipper) attached to its outside; striking if not a little bizarre.
Parliament from Tower, Dusseldorf
Tony & Edel in the Tower
Rhine & bridge , Dusseldorf
A visit to an open market area was productive as we bought food for tonight’s dinner as well as enjoying the strolling amongst extensive benches of fruit, vegetables, flowers and meats.
After a day of sight seeing in Düsseldorf where we’d walked about eight kilometres we were starting to tire and thus we decided to head back to the car.
On our way back to Hilden we bought some beer and tonic water in readiness for a well-earned beer and/or G&T.
Edel has been a wonderful guide and we’ve so enjoyed this day’s visit to her city. It certainly has changed a great deal since we were last here in 1986. The city has altered roads and improved public transport dramatically in an effort to make the centre and the Rhine embankment more people friendly.
We then enjoyed a typical German meal of bratwurst sausages, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes and mustard bought from the mustard shop and museum.