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Friday, December 6, 2013

Blue skies: Cologne on the Rhine

It's been a while since I've posted photos from our European travels, and I thought I'd use some today, after talking to my eldest niece.
I was happy to have been able to see the city of Cologne on our Rhine-Main-Danube cruise with Viking River Cruises last year.
Richard Schear
photos, 2012
For much of the cruise I was unwell, but in Cologne I was up to doing a bit of shopping. We were looking for two very specific things: soccer jerseys in the white the German national team wears for home games, with the names of a certain two players on them.
One was for my niece's husband who was in hospital in Vancouver last year with leukemia. The other was for his brother, whose blood turned out to be a match for a bone marrow transplant.
We had been warned by a few of the ship's crew that such specific items might be difficult to find, and they were, but we managed it.
Our nephew-in-law was delighted with the result. He has now been home for several months, and is working at regaining his strength with the goal of discontinuing his medications and returning to work. It might take a while, but he is determined to succeed.

So, here, while I'm thinking of him,  are some photos of blue skies in Cologne, posted for Skywatch Friday.





9 comments:

Steffi said...

Very beautiful photos for SWF!Have a nice weekend.Oh,that´s Cologne in Germany!I hope you had a great time there!

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
Precious memories - in both regards! Sending love and blessings to all. YAM xx

(PS - headed over west for about 10 days so may not be able to access internet... but you know I'll be back!!&*>)

eileeninmd said...

Beautiful scenes from your travels. Pretty skies! Thanks for sharing, have a happy weekend!

kaykuala said...

Thanks for sharing Kay! Glad everything is going well for your nephew-in-law!

Hank

Rajesh said...

Beautiful place with magnificent architecture.

Penelope Notes said...

Thank goodness for his brother! I love the sounds of his determination to get better. It was really wonderful to see him out and about at the fair recently with your niece and their beautiful little girl. I think they will have a wonderful Christmas this year! Wonder if he will wear the jersey. :)

Kay said...

How wonderful that you were able to find the shirt in the limited time you had. I'm so glad your nephew-in-law is now doing well. A lot has to do with frame of mind and you must have lifted his 100%.

We're looking forward to a Mediterranean cruise next year.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Love the cool photos, am so happy you found the jerseys and even happier to know his brother's marrow was a match and he is doing well. How grateful everyone must be!!!!!! Good news, Kay!

Friko said...

Lovely photos, but not all of Cologne? I don’t know the city very well, although I come from just down the river northwards.