Weds 29th July 2009 Marianske Lazne - Koln

I have the coach at the hotel by 06:45 and await the luggage. A lot of the group are already up and ready for breakfast which starts at 07:00.
All cases and people loaded, all bills paid and keys handed in and we are on our way.
A few of the group have some Czech money left and want to exchange it for Euros but this cannot be done at the hotel so I have said that I will stop at the border so they can change their money.
After less than an hours driving we are approaching the border as I start to look for the signs for the change office and general service area. We pass a sign with just a P on it so I presume that is just parking. Wrong! This is the turning we should have taken but I'm in Germany before I can do much about it! Anywhere else would have a sign for the change office of a bank note and also a sign for the restaurant I could see as we drove past!
We have a good run today as the motorway is clear and after three stops arrive at our hotel in Cologne at the respectable time of 16:30, allowing those who want a walk to the cathedral plenty of time before dinner at 19:00.
I enjoy a drink with Josie and Brian before dinner and then enjoy a very good meal for an overnight stop.