Another lovely dinner in one of Hamburg’s old pubs last night. Pfifferlinge mushrooms – we know them as Chanterelles, are in season, and they go very nicely with a steak.

We had a long train journey south today, and eventually we arrived at a town called Soest. Our first job is to go to see Val’s relatives. A few family snaps.

We took Val’s cousin Mark and his wife Cordula for dinner at our hotel.

Our hotel dates from 1304, and despite its name (Pilgrimhaus) it was a bit late for the Crusades. It’s a very attractive building.