By the time Hector had made his pilgrimage to the Indien Curry Basmati House, the Chaps had signalled that they were leaving the Gluhwein stands in Heumarkt and were heading to Mühlen. Hector was well late. Actually I was ensuring that the fundamental rule of our trips applied to me also – one can join in or not, whatever is going on. By the time I arrived Steve, Juliet and Maggie had gone shopping. Fancy going shopping at an xmas market, what a waste of VDT. This left Jonathan and Clive as the welcoming committee.
The efficient Kobi, whose name just happened to be Bert, served up the Kölsch as required. The others joined us after a couple of test tubes, no doubt after realising that hand luggage severely restricts what can be purchased.
Juliet asked Bert for a Gluhwein, which was not listed on the menu. His reply (in Deutsch) was to point to the door and tell us that two hundred metres away there was a stall selling Gluhwein. Juliet then asked for a Coffee, which was on the menu. The reply was pretty much the same. Juliet was given her Coffee.
It was time for Bert to end his shift, we had to settle the bill so far.
Clive and Maggie’s share was €12.80. Clive always has to be last to pay. Twelve eighty – Bert said to Clive. Or as we say in England, Zwolf Achtsig – was Clive’s reply. Or as we say in Germany, just make it fifteen! – retorted Bert. Clive accepted defeat.
Steve and Juliet went away to do other things and are not in this saga anymore. We headed towards the original Gaffel, maybe Goulash Soup could be on the cards. They were busy. Maggie and Hector led the way to the Keller at Früh am Dom, the ashtrays were out – in mid afternoon. I do not understand the policy here, the smoking area is in a dedicated room upstairs, those who cannot exercise self control are sufficiently catered for. We crossed over to Gaffel am Dom walking passed the magnificent piece of architecture en route. Gaffel was mostly blocked off for a private party, and so back to the main part of Früh am Dom. This keeps us fit.
Herr Willems, my favourite Kobi was on duty. Hector always feels that he must be Dutch. By the time we were all reunited the Kölsch was already ordered. Our Kobi decided that Jonathan and Clive really needed two of the desperately small glasses in which this Bier is served. Our Kobi evened things up and brought Hector a second test tube.
Maggie attempted to purchase the Goulash Soup as sold in the Keller where the Soup comes in a hollowed out half Roll. Despite the fact that the kitchen is in the Keller where the smoke is, if one does not sit down there and endure further smoke, then one cannot be served one’s Goulash Soup in this manner. A bowl is was then.
Clive and Maggie headed to the Airport, Jonathan and Hector boarded the busiest train in Germany and went to Düsseldorf. Time to phone Marg.
Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof has had quite a makeover in the past year, and for the better.
The U Bahn in Düsseldorf was correctly negotiated and we were in Füchschen in no time at all. Being a Sunday evening it was quiet, there was no problem finding a table. It felt like a year since my last visit, in fact it was two weeks short of a year. The glorious Altbier was procured in the amazingly large 0.25l glass. Hector has come to prefer Alt to Kölsch, sshhh. The Alt is even drier and despite the darker appearance the Malt is not overwhelming.
We surveyed the menu and for some reason both ordered the Bayerische Wurst Salat. What a mistake. A pile cold shredded Sausage accompanied the Salad from Hell and a portion of Bratkartoffellen. How could any man eat all this? When Jonathan had cleared his plate, Hector stopped eating. More Alt was needed to wash this down.
It was now time for the main event, Uerige. We had worked out we could do two Altbier Houses properly and get the optimum train back, any later and the journey time would double.
We passed the modest stalls which comprise the Düsseldorf Weinachtsmarkt, no competition with Köln then.
Uerige was quiet. The main room where Jonathan and Hector had spent a glorious evening this time last year was occupied by no more than a dozen folk. The Bier came, the King of Altbier (IMHO).
Chaps at the adjacent table were evidently Scousers. There was an exchange of banter, it was somebody’s birthday, I forget whose.
No Frikadelle was brought round which was a disappointment, there is always room for an Uerige Frikadelle. It was pleasing to see that the original Doris and Bert were sitting beside each other in the Pit.
We were back in Köln by 00.15. We had to walk through Gaffel am Dom just in case there were any familiar faces. The tables were on the chairs, the staff were congregated at the far end of the large room – most of them were smoking. Now which part of Smoking Ban have the people of NRW not come to terms with?
Brewery Taps visited today:
Mühlen – Heumarkt 6, 50667, Köln, Deutschland
Im Füchschen – Ratinger Str. 28-30, 40213 Düsseldorf,
Uerige Düsseldorf – Berger Strasse 1, D 40123, Düsseldorf