In Cochem.

July 20, 2024

What is now our routine when we arrive at our destination, is to get cleaned up and head out the door to explore the sights. We are usually arriving into towns in the early afternoon, which gives us some time to get out for a walk and do some exploring.

Cochem sits on a bend of the Moselle River and are staying on the right bank of that bend, just across the Skagerak-Brücke bridge from the Altstadt at Hotel Hotel Zehnthof, a lovely little hotel. And, we have a great room overlooking the Moselle where we also have views of the bridge and the Reichsburg Cochem Castle, as well as the high steeples of the towers and churches across the way. If you are ever through here yourself, we recommend staying in room 12.

After a quick drink along the Moselle, we set off to the climb up to the Reichsburg Cochem Castle perched high above the town. Cochem Castle is said to be one of the largest castles along the Moselle and was constructed in the year 1000. It was destroyed by French troops in 1689, but later rebuilt. Now, it's tourist attraction offering tours and vast views from the top. So, off we went.

Climbing up the steep path to the castle. Behind us the the bridge and the right bank of the Moselle where we are staying. The Altstadt is out of view on the left bank.

Views looking upriver and in the direction we will be headed for tomorrow's ride towards Bernkastel-Kues.

Micro-ferns. I wish I had have put something next to this little beauty for perspective. The largest fern that you see here was not more than 5cm wide, and they covered the stone walls all the way up.

The views from the top were stunning. You can see clearly here the two parts of town. Our hotel is on the right bank.

When we returned to the room, I took some time to work on the journal and watch a bit of the last stage of The Tour. It was pretty clear for a couple of weeks now who was going to take it. But, you never know in cycling what will happen. Will Tadej go for the Vuelta and be the first person to win all three Grand Tours in a season?

For dinner, we walked back into town and up a steep cobbled street away from the busy center of town to Castello Restaurant. We were both in the mood for a good pizza, so Sue did some research and found this place. Castello's is tucked away in a quiet part of town and when we arrived they asked us for a reservation, but we did not make one. With a stroke of luck, we were seated on a charming terrace and enjoyed a fantastic meal.

On the way home, we stopped for a gelato, and walked to the center of the bridge to take it all in, and enjoy the warm evening summer breeze. We watched the swallows flying from under the bridge during feeding time doing their best acrobatic show. What could be more perfect?

If you're ever here yourself, we recommend Castello Restaurant. We can attest that their pizza's and salads are outstanding.

Castello's. We think this is Castello behind us. He was clearly the boss and everyone deferred to him. He had great energy.

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