Arrival in Cochem, Germany

Mosel Bike-Barge – Fri 26th August 2016 – Fly to Frankfurt, Train to Cochem (54 Km)

Weather: 21⁰C min – 32⁰C max, fine, clear

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“The goal is to die with memories, not dreams” ~ Darren Alff (Bicycle Touring Pro)

Well here I am in the delightful German town of Cochem, looking forward to meeting my cycling mates from Sydney on the boat tomorrow, ready to commence our one week bike-barge down the Mosel River on Sunday.

The British Airways flight from Heathrow went to schedule and the trip was uneventful … until I arrived at Frankfurt am Main Flughafen Fernbahnhof airport. The 90 minutes I allowed to clear customs and catch the regional train to Koblenz/Cochem should have been ample time, but I had not bargained on a 60 minute wait for my boxed bicycle to emerge from the conveyor belt in the bulky baggage collection area, then another 10 minutes wait for the shuttle bus to take me to the train station at Terminal 1. You can imagine how I breathed a sigh of relief when I caught the train with about 5 minutes to spare, because it was the last train for the day and there was no Plan “B”.

For the first part of the journey, from Frankfurt to Koblenz, the train followed alongside the busy Rhein River with several long, narrow river cruisers gliding along in both directions. On both sides of the river there was luxuriant green vegetation and rows of grapevines running vertically up the hills. I couldn’t help noticing how similar the little riverside villages were, dotted with two-storey white houses topped with grey slate steeply-pitched roofs.

After changing trains at Koblenz the route followed the lovely Mosel River that we will be living on for the next week. Camping grounds extended for miles along the water’s edge and crowds of holiday makers were cooling off in the river. Around nearly every bend an imposing castle appeared, perched precariously on top of the steep hills.

The two hour train trip passed quickly enough and I arrived at the picturesque town of Cochem situated on the Mosel River, dominated by the impressive mountain castle Reichsburg 330 feet above (I might ride up there tomorrow morning, but I will wait to see what my energy level is like first). Instantly l fell in love with Cochem, with its beautiful timber-framed houses and colourful town centre full of great restaurants, wine bars and pubs. It seems a very lively town, with dancing in the village square and bands playing loud music late into the night. There was even a colourful procession of young people wearing national costumes and also a wedding being celebrated in the street.

Tonight I am staying at a fabulous B&B called Gästezimmer Christine Höhn. But I don’t know why I was given the honeymoon suite … it looks pretty with its pink walls and pillows, but it is wasted on me! Anyway I am going to enjoy one last sleep in a comfortable bed before bunking up in the Iris for the next week.