An intentional late start, we enjoyed our breakfast on our balcony as we watched the amazing steep hillsides that dropped right to the river's edge unfold as we steadily sailed on. Tiny little towns with classic styled German houses right on the water's edge. On each turn, a castle could be seen, and this set the tone for the morning.
Eventually we get up on the sun-deck, and whilst walking around we watch the ever-changing perspectives of the Rhine valley. It winds and meanders through this hilly region, for now the only way of traversing the countryside. Which gives rise to the reason for so many castles - in medieval times each castle owner was allowed to charge a toll to each user of the river, a very lucrative enterprise.
Whilst the cruise director gave a better commentary than yesterday, we clocked up five miles round the sun-deck, collecting many loud comments from our Aussie friends.
Eventually we arrived in Rüdesheim, a lovely little town famous for its wines and the incredible monument on the hillside above, commemorating the successful end of the war between Germany and France in 1871. We took the cable car up to the top, but walked back along the old path which had previously (pre 1954) been the rack-railway that was the way up in those days.
On our return to the town we completed our wander, checking out the St Jacobson church and square dedicated to him, and then heading downstream past the lido and caravan park to the Hindenburg Bridge which, it transpires, we bombed and destroyed on the 15th March 1945.
After that we headed back to the boat in time to set-sail for our next port, Miltenberg. We enjoyed our regular visit to the pool for a while. Had a cocktail (Tequila Sunrise) and then went up on deck for a walk and another cocktail. Whilst we were walking the crew started to strip the deck, taking down all the sun-loungers, deckchairs and tables and chairs, flattening everything. Our walking space slowly became less and less as the deck was reduced in size, until eventually only the part forward of the bridge remained, where we enjoyed our cocktail and watched as we departed the Rhine and joined the Main which is smaller and the bridges are lower, hence the loss of the top deck.
By the time we'd changed for dinner the deck was completely closed and we had to take pre-dinner drinks on the lower level, watching as we entered another lock and passed under the first of our exceeedingly low bridges. This lasts for six days while we're on the Main, which is a serious impediment to our walking schedule and sunbathing but obviously not one we can change!
Dinner tonight was again in our special space, although tonight we were crashed by a group of Aussie ladies but they were well behaved. Afterwards we headed to the pool for a viewing of Genius.
By the time we emerged from the pool, we were transiting Frankfurt in the middle of an electric storm, which was quite exciting. The dilemma is do I do our photos or do I watch the storm? Regular readers will know I love a storm, this one is pretty exceptional!
As it happens, the internet is horrendous so I doubt the FB photos will arrive anyway - 4G is strong so I was able to post but the order is hopeless!
As it happens, the internet is horrendous so I doubt the FB photos will arrive anyway - 4G is strong so I was able to post but the order is hopeless!
Comments
Post a Comment