Tuesday, 4 July. Kirchheim Unter Teck to Frankfurt

It didn’t take long to get ready this morning so I set off for the station half an hour earlier than planned. It only took me about 20 minutes to walk there and I had allowed at least half an hour with luggage so I was exceptionally early. 

I am so grateful that Martine had told me about the construction work at Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof and that the local train now stopped some distance away. Because of that I decided to catch an earlier train so I could find my way with plenty of time. My even earlier train from Kirchheim meant that I had a full hour in Stuttgart, so once I knew where I had to go I stopped for a coffee. A good plan as I could feel myself wanting to close my eyes and I mustn’t fall asleep on a train. Who knows where I would end up?!  Two sets of stairs today and two kind men who helped this old lady with her case. I really must look the age I’m about to turn. I am never again going to allow myself to travel with such a heavy case, over 16 kg. Too many jumpers!

The train to Frankfurt was a fast one and it took a little over an hour to get here. I arrived at about 1.15. There is a shuttle bus from the airport to my hotel, free from the airport to the hotel but 6 euros the other way. It took ages to find the right stop but I got there in the end. Then when I checked my information from the hotel I discovered that the shuttle takes a break from 11.35 until 4.20. Can you believe it? They have 5 hours off in the middle of the day!

I couldn’t check in to the hotel until 3.00 anyway, so I decided to have some lunch at the airport and wait for the free shuttle. Had a very nice tuna roll, went off for a wander and am now back at the cafe having a hot chocolate and starting today’s blog. There is a guy at the table opposite mine being interviewed for a job. He looks nice so I hope he gets it. I’m trying to look absorbed in my iPad while I really listen in. It’s at Starbucks, judging by the number of times the interviewer’s mentioned it.

Later …

Am now fed and settled into my room and oh joy! oh rapture! I’ve got a proper shower! I’ve spent the last three weeks climbing in and out of partially obstructed baths and trying not to squirt water all over the room.

I spoke to Jochen ( Sue Wood’s cousin) on the phone this evening and I’m being picked up at 11.00 tomorrow for a little tour. He mentioned Wiesbaden so I’ll have a look at Google maps after this. How lucky I am to be introduced to such generous people.

The statue of the green man is to celebrate 25 years since reunification of Germany. I think he looks like Ampelman from Berlin.