I have started with the remaining photos of yesterday's beautiful cruise along the Rhine Gorge. These were taken from our cabin. Never any shortage of something else to see on the coastline.
Early morning start at Remagen as we need to be on our coach at 8.15 am. It is dark and forecast isn't good with a max of 10 and likely rain. However undeterred we head off rugged up and ready for whatever happens. Cloud is very low and as it is still quite dark, not good fir photos but we do the best we can. We arrive at Konigswinter for our tour of Drachenburg castle (Dragon). We travel up the hillside in a two carriage funicular (like a tram is the best way to describe it).Schloss Drachenburg is a private villa constructed in the late 19th century. Baron (he bought the title ) Stephan von Sarter was a banker and then stockbroker who clearly had a huge need to be noticed and had it built in only two years (1882-84) but never lived there. Something about selling shares for the Suez Canal (I'm sure we'd call it insider trading today) when he knew they were a losing proposition, and his name being bandied about in unkind words meant he moved to Paris. He never married and had no heirs so his nephew sold it and over its history was a boy's school; holiday campsite; and fir a period was one of the 'schools' for Hitler youth. Now state owned they have attempted to restore it to its original grandeur. It didn't fare well during WWII bombings but they've done a good job, albeit that I found it very dark and unwelcoming throughout. On a better weather day, I'm sure the views would have been amazing.
Back on the coach and now it is raining, not heavy but sufficient for brollies and hoods up on rain jackets. It us about half an hour ride to Bonn which is a very modern city. It is the former capital of West Germany. The history of the city dates back to Roman times. In about 11BC the Roman army appears to have stationed a small unit in what is presently the historical centre of the city. Between the 11th and 13th centuries, the Romanesque style Bonn Minster (church) was built. We were shown the university building, the previous Orangery which is now a Museum of Music, the City Hall and market plaza. Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn in 1770 and we were shown the building he was supposedly born in. No free time at alol so back on the coach and straight back to the ship just in time for lunch as we set sail again for Amsterdam which is about 22 hours away. We probably should start thinking about packing suitcases but it is way too daunting so instead B and I sit on our beds in our cabin watching Cologne pass by. We also had the benefit of a lovely sunset as once we set sail the blasted sun came out and we had blue skies for the rest of the day!!!
It is the Captains farewell reception tonight so we get ourselves all glammed up and head to the lounge where we are given a glass of champers and greeted at the door by the captain, tour director and hotel manager. Captain Punisha does not have good English so his speech is a bit hard to follow but once we are all gathered and enjoying our bubbles and canapés he introduces all the staff and then announces that this is in fact the Diamond's last cruise for the season, so we are all absolutely thrilled that we were able to do this cruise. Mind you, we then wonder about those who had booked later advertised cruises. Anyway, our ship's next season is likely to start in Feb or Mar next year so thats a good lesson for future cruises to avoid extreme ends of advertised sailings. River levels and accessibility in Europe are critical.
Time for dinner and it's great to have roomie back in our number as she has been feeling poorly for the past couple of days however still no sign of S but J assures us she is on the improve. It is absolutely no fun at all being unwell on holidays and unfortunately coach tours and ships are not the best when one person is sick and then spreads the lurgy throughout. we all have a good diner though and lots of laughter as usual. Now time for a disco in the lounge that the hotel staff are hosting. I'm soooo ready for bed but manage 10 minutes. At one point the disco is stopped as we hear an announcement that there is a medical emergency on board and the ship has to berth at a very nearby spot fir a lady to be taken off by ambulance. Not as dramatic as the previous occasion where a doctor was lowered onto the ship from a bridge, but not good news for the lady, that's for sure.
So drama over, music restored and I'm off to bed!
Early morning start at Remagen as we need to be on our coach at 8.15 am. It is dark and forecast isn't good with a max of 10 and likely rain. However undeterred we head off rugged up and ready for whatever happens. Cloud is very low and as it is still quite dark, not good fir photos but we do the best we can. We arrive at Konigswinter for our tour of Drachenburg castle (Dragon). We travel up the hillside in a two carriage funicular (like a tram is the best way to describe it).Schloss Drachenburg is a private villa constructed in the late 19th century. Baron (he bought the title ) Stephan von Sarter was a banker and then stockbroker who clearly had a huge need to be noticed and had it built in only two years (1882-84) but never lived there. Something about selling shares for the Suez Canal (I'm sure we'd call it insider trading today) when he knew they were a losing proposition, and his name being bandied about in unkind words meant he moved to Paris. He never married and had no heirs so his nephew sold it and over its history was a boy's school; holiday campsite; and fir a period was one of the 'schools' for Hitler youth. Now state owned they have attempted to restore it to its original grandeur. It didn't fare well during WWII bombings but they've done a good job, albeit that I found it very dark and unwelcoming throughout. On a better weather day, I'm sure the views would have been amazing.
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