Hello family and friends this is my first attempt at this journal app so bear with me.

We currently are in Southern area of Germany in a small tourist town called Cochem. \240Cochem dates back to Roman times and is on the Mossel River which flows into the Rhine. \240We’ve been here 2.5 days, weather warm and clear, had a nice relaxing time just walking and touring about.

Deb and I are staying local today just walking around town and relaxing. \240David and Deb are off in our rented Peugeot wagon to a town near here called Spiers or something like that. \240It’s where her grandmother on her fathers side was from.

Quick reflection on our travels so far: \240landed in Amsterdam, two days there, wet and windy, saw lots of bikes, windmills, cheese and dikes (the kind that hold water back). \240Good food, beautiful city, nice people. \240Room good, prices comparable to home.

Then to Brussels Belgium by train. \240Flat country, farmland, few trees. \240Train system excellent. \240In Brussels one night, very impressed with city, clean, lots of squares to walk in, waffles with whipped cream, lots of beer choices, mussels and fries and beer for dinner. \240They prefer cash here for some reason. \240Room nice, prices comparable to home.

Then on train the next afternoon for Cologne Germany. \240On train which was great, about a 2 hour ride. \240Hotel was easy to find and good, right down town. \240Koln as it’s called in Germany is a beautiful, vibrant city. \240Favourite city so far. \240Lots of squares, beer gardens, good vibe. \240Weather was very nice. \240Old city dating to Ronan times, this city was 90% destroyed in second war bombing \240and was rebuilt.

Stayed the night then back on train to airport to pick up rental Peugeot wagon. \240Had gps, drive on right side of road, David drove and I helped navigate, ladies sat in the back seat and behaved. \240We made it to Cochem in a couple of hours no problem. \240We stopped to look at a religious hostel. \240Took a bit to figure out how to get car in reverse but Deb M was the hero-you have to pull up on lever on shifter.

Made it to Cochem Saturday pm, checked into our amazing patio apartment overlooking the river. \240Weather has been beautiful-mid to high 20’s. \240Great German food and beers. \240People think we’re American, tend to be a bit pushy and not outwardly friendly, maybe because of that. \240My impression is that this is a tourist spot for Germans and have not heard/seen many other nationalities here. \240Service industry people have been good but German people seem to be quite pushy, loud and determined (no surprise). \240Have very much enjoyed our stay here.

Tomorrow early we drive to Frankfurt airport, drop off rental car, and fly to Lisbon. \240Stay tuned....

Good day we got up at 5 this AM and drove from Cochem to Frankfurt Airport. \240No problems other than David and Debbie got a parking ticket in Cochem for 10 euros apparently cause Debput the money in the wrong parking lot meter. \240Created some upset last night with them trying to figure that out. \240Deb (wife) and Iwent for a walk and bought more wine. \240Things were fine after that.

All good with apartment-got our 200 euro damage deposit back from “Hans”. \240On the road at 6.

Drive to Frankfurt about 2 hrs., great highways, well marked, 130 km per hr..

Now in Frankfurt A/P at gate waiting for our cheap flight to Lisbon.

Impressions of Germany: \240Beautiful old towns run on German precision and technology. \240Food good and bulky, beers and Reisling wine good and affordable. \240German people not outwardly friendly, don’t go out of their way to be helpful, think we are Americans. \240Think they still suffer from the two wars that were lost and the damage caused to them. \240

Other than that had a good time here but glad to be moving on to my first pick on this trip-Portugal. \240Hope it pr

We are in Lisbon Portugal now. \240Got here yesterday afternoon with no problems other than our driver from the airport took us to the wrong place at first. \240Down crazy narrow streets, Debbie (Mom) caught the mistake and we eventually got to the right spot.

Our apartment is in a decent but old part of the city close to the water and activities. \240It’s on the 3rd floor of an old building. \240It’s pretty basic but will do. \240We did a hop on hop off bus tour last night that gave us a taste for the city. \240Incredible history going back to the Phonecians. \240Incredible sailors they discovered much of the new world.

We are going to do some local touring about then plan to go on a tour to a place called Sintra tomorrow and probably the beach on Friday.

Had a real good dinner last night-Mom had a local cod dish, I had sirloin steak and rice done Portuguese style.

Prices here very reasonable. \240Weather is beautiful and warm. \240People seem nice. \2403 million people live in Lisbon.

Hope you guys are all good, look forward to seeing you soon.

It’s morning here in Lisbon, 8:13 to be exact. \240Yesterday was good we finished the day by having wine and beer at the market and meeting a couple from California named Steve and Nicole. \240Swapped some Portugal tips and had a nice chat.

Then we met David and Debbie at a cafe in the “Fado” neighbourhood where there are old buildings, narrow cobbled streets and lots of little cafes that feature live “Fado” music. \240Fado is a style of Portugeese music popular in Lisbon. \240Apparently tomorrow is a special day and apparently a table 6 has been reserved in the green door restaurant.

Then we went back to the central market which is always crazy busy, booths that sell every kind of food and drink for very reasonable prices and is very good. \240Mom had seared tuna, I had pork cheek risotto. \240Mine cost 8.90 euro. \240Beer was 2.50. Very good.

Today we go on a tour of a place called Sintra which is a couple of hours from here on the ocean. \240All day tour, I think just the four of us.

That’s all for now

Good morning we are sitting in Lisbon airport waiting for our flight to Paris. \240Leaves within the hour. \240This is nicest airport yet, very efficient and well run, easiest check in yet with help at self serve kiosks for printing baggage tags etc.. \240customs very efficient and the line went quick.

Last night our anniversary dinner at a Fado restaurant was very nice. \240Food was good, the Fado musicians were right beside us-three elderly fellows, two in classical guitar and one on mandolin. \240Then we heard two lady Fado singers who were excellent. \240No microphones or electronics. \240But they were loud and very passionate songs/singers. \240You could here influences in their singing style from Muslim, African, Spanish cultures.

Food was good, I had a pork dish, Mom had cod.

I’m thankfull to have shared the past 39 years with my beautiful girl. \240We’ve had a wonderful life and look forward to more adventures.

Weather was nice our whole stay in Portugal. \240Raining today as we leave.

Impressions of our visit here: \240favourite stop yet, nice people, affordable, great food, history and culture. \240Would like to come back, perhaps to the Algrave or Portal areas.

Obregado Portugal