We visited Bonn, the former capital of West Germany, on a Sunday to avoid all the traffic. In this we were successful, but we were less successful in avoiding the air pollution. A blue haze coated the city and surrounding farmland. Perhaps it was enhanced by the lack of wind in Germany over the last week.

Bonn is a tidy very green (and blue) city with a blend of modern and historic architecture. Our prime reason for visiting was to see Beethoven's museum, located in the house of his birth. Gretel was not disappointed. The instruments and sheet music, together with an informative commentary made for a most memorable experience.

Fortuitously, we were also treated to an outdoor orchestral music concert. The video at the top of this page was serendipitously shot by 'techno tony', who thought he was taking a photograph, but when downloading his photos discovered his camera took videos.

Incredible to think that the 'Moonlight Sonata' may have been composed on this piano

The rear of Beethoven's family home. The home fronts onto a commercial street near the centre of Bonn. He was born in the room visible at the top of this picture.

A statue of Beethoven in the main square of Bonn, presented to the city on his 75th birthday. About 20,000 people attended his funeral.

The main cathedral in Bonn. Germans built cathedrals like they build cars today, with a sense of durability and style. Their cathedrals are much lighter inside than the rather imposing buildings in the rest of southern Europe.

Who burnt the sausages? Bonn was surrounded by a purple haze.