I think that today is Friday. Normally I’d chalk my cluelessness up to my pretend retired lifestyle, but today I am just clueless due to travel.
Today I head to Germany, Düsseldorf to be exact, by train. This will be my third visit there, the last being 2017 when I saw the start of the Tour de France.
After Düsseldorf I will be heading to Brussels, where I will meet up with Barb, Sal, and Allan.
I find it a little hard to believe that it has been ten years since I visited Amsterdam and Brussels, and Werder Bremen. The latter means that I have been rooting for Werder Bremen for ten years? Yikes!
I forgot to mention that on my flight I watched a movie called Hard Miles, a documentary about Frank Lloyd Wright, and believe it or not a documentary about Pine Lake, Georgia.
Wordle: four, my starter was CLOAK
Connections: fail, Yellow > X > X > X > X
When I first decided to go to Düsseldorf the train ticket was reasonably priced. I waited until today to buy one, and paid over $120 USD for the ticket, in part because the only seat available was in a first class car. Oof, that stings. That price doesn’t include whatever charges my AppleCard tacks on to the cost of doing business internationally. I’ve had mixed success using my Amex here.
Of lesser importance regarding my ticket purchase was that the early train was sold out, so the earliest ticket I could get was on a 12:30 train. Since I am in no rush is okay, it just means I have to kill a few hours with my luggage. I’m ja Ring coffee and a chunk of apple pie now, I may kill the rest of the time people watching at the train station.
I was talking to Dr PP – she suggested we just take the regular train (with more stops) instead of Eurostar (which you have to reserve a seat). It is about half the cost (45 euro vs 90 euro) and really doesn’t take that much longer. And – there is a train every hour or 2. I sure hope it we will be able to get seats – I certainly don’t want to have to stand for 2-3 hours.
That means you will probably get a free meal on the train, so that’s good.
Apparently Amsterdam is extra busy this weekend because they are hosting a Formula 1 race, the Dutch Grand Prix, starting tomorrow.
Great…hopefully we won’t have any issues getting seats on the train to Brussels this week-end. Enjoy using your German language skills!!
Not only is the F1 race this weekend (practice actually starts today and qualifying is tomorrow) but we are just off the long August break, so everyone is very eager to see the race. Now, that said, the track is actually like 30 miles outside the city.
I can’t wait until iOS 18 when (I believe) Apple finally allows us to schedule text messaging. Since I am six hours ahead I’m trying to be respectful and not send anything too early in your day.
Wordle in 4 starting with GLOBE. Connections is baffling. I would never have guessed purple. X,X, Y, X, G, B, P. Strands was a challenge for me today, as well.
Tonight I will pack. Work first and then the Sip and Stroll. Doing laundry this morning before work.
It’s been a week since I worked with someone that tested positive for COVID. I think I am in the clear.
Enjoy your week-end!
Thanks! Looking forward to seeing you three on Monday and hearing about the hash you got to on Sunday.
I think you meant to type “ITP-readers Barb and Sal”!
Tonight I will be down in Grant Park for a birthday party. Tomorrow we may go to Summer Shade festival but probably not. Sunday we are going to the Braves game.
Even though I am sitting on a barstool in Düsseldorf, I stand corrected.
Wordle in 4
Connections – fail
Went & got a pedicure last night – even though I may not even take any sandals.
Dinner at Anchor Bar after – they had $1 wings – so I got extra for Allan (& me) today.
Double dipped with Upside & Seated (Seated has gotten slow – no immediate credit, so waiting on both to be added). I figure the money back covered the tip & maybe more.
Wordle in 4.
With the tire removed, it was easy to drop it off at the tire store for repair. Then I tried to find a die to re-thread the bad stud. After 2 stops at auto parts stores, it was suggested to go to Harbor Freight. I now own a $20 tap and die set with nothing big enough for the wheel stud. F. It went back on with some oil and a bit of magic from the impact wrench.
We lost a big limb in the front pasture while I was in Newark and it’ top of the chore list today. Maybe a bike ride,too. Tomorrow, a good friend’s daughter is getting married and I’m sure that will be a celebration!
Safe travels to all. Even those sitting in first class!
-FP
it shouldn’t suck in 1st class.
And it’s SO NICE outside, I’m enjoying my coffee on the deck.
I’m going out to cut grass with Allan – glad the weather is pleasant
Cloudy and windy in Düsseldorf, but not horrible.
It is very pleasant outside cutting grass.
Dang it was long.
Gonna be fun in 2 weeks if we get much rain while we are gone.
Only 11:30(ish) Eastern? It’s five o’clock somewhere, and that somewhere for me is Germany! I’m in Düsseldorf’s altstadt (old town) drinking a local specialty, a Schumacher Alt. Prost!
I WISH IT WAS 5PM, THEN I’D BE DONE FOR 2 WEEKS!
5.5 hours…
And because I’ve relented to spending stupid amounts of money on this trip, I purchased the hotel breakfast for €25/day. Things are expensive, this is just easier to do than seek out a breakfast each morning.
Trying to find a place to watch tonight’s soccer, er Fußball, match on tv.