DANUBE & RHINE BLOG 07
Saturday May 15, 2010
You’ve probably never heard of a lot of these places – right? Well, nor had we, prior to this trip. Which is making them all the more surprising and delightful and photographable and unforgettable and can’t-wait-to-tell-you-more-about-them-able!
And how’s this for good news? We caught some flashes of blue sky today! The sun is doing its best to break up the grey, and the rain is getting warmer!
After sailing right through the wee small hours (with an occasional bump-in-the-night to remind us we’re passing through yet another narrow lock – with just centimetres to spare either side), we reached the historic city of Wurzburg and headed off on a Weight-Watchers walking tour. This lovely old town, guarded by the hilltop Fortress Marienberg, is home to the Residenz – a beautiful Baroque palace built for Bavaria’s prince-bishops in the early 1700s and famous for its great marble staircase plus frescoes by the Venetian master, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.
From the outside, the Residenz looked like just another big, old, ugly building – but inside, oh boy! We traipsed through the gloriously decorated rooms (no photos allowed inside, bummer). And then we traipsed down into a vast underground cellar where we enjoyed the most generous wine-tasting session ever. (Sniff, rinse and swallow – we’re getting good at this – followed by some more Mad Midlife traipsing and giggling!)
After lunch on board, we then bussed for an hour or so (via Germany’s high-speed autobahn) to Rothenburg ob der Tauber – a beautifully-restored medieval walled town (500, 600, 700 years old). ‘A jewel of the Middle Ages’ with its great stone walls and towers and gates … its vibrantly-coloured houses with their half-timbered gables … and shops galore!
A feast for sore eyes? Without a doubt …
TOMORROW: There’s another one lying in wait for us – another superbly-preserved medieval city (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site this time): Bamberg (home perhaps of the original bamburger-&-fries?) So stand-by, and don’t leave the room …
Yours bloggedly – JOHN
P.S. If you want to leave a message for someone in our group, just click on ‘COMMENTS’ (or ‘NO COMMENTS’) beside the title for the day’s blog, and type away! Make sure you say who it’s for and who it’s from – and keep it brief. And if you want a better look at our map and photos, just click on them and they’ll enlarge – magic!
Hi Coons & Mags … Missing you guys heaps. So glad you are having such a great time. All is good here. Massive hugz us xxxx
To Colin & Bev … Wishing Dad a happy birthday which I’m sure will be another fascinating day on your tour… small boat trip and ancient abbey… so jealous. Have been following the blogs. Hope Bev’s health is doing ok, thinking of you both. Sandra & Johny
Hi to Margaret & Eric Parr (Mum & Dad)
Hope you are both enjoying the sights, sounds and experiences of your cruise and port visits.
I’ve got Macsen home all week as he has come down with chicken pox, poor lil tike has got spots everywhere, including in his ears, mouth, throat and he has a pox in his left eye. Keegan still hobbling about with his sore toes. Older 2 both well thankfully, as are Noel & I. Trust you are both well and having fun. Love you lots, Rachel.
Hi Mum (Geraldine) Glad to see you are staying out of trouble. Enjoying the blogs. Had a nice time with Graham and Kirsten and have some lovely photos. Going to catch up with David on the weekend. Love you xxx
Hi Mum (Jan) – the blogs are starting to come in thick and fast now which is great. Whenever I see the photos I wonder how you are getting on without having packed an umbrella or even a rain parker? Hoping very much that you have just gone out and found what you need to be comfortable! Weather here has been just as wet so your gardens will be ok for now! We are all waiting to see what ‘award’ you get presented with! Boys won their game on Saturday – Parky didnt play (sore shoulder) – girls won their netball too! Have lots of fun Xxx
Hi Aunty Jo
Having a grand ol’ time I’m sure. Hope you have enough warm clothes with you! Great photos. With love, Steph, Caoimhe and Erin.
Hi Mum (Geraldine), Did you get Auntie Jean’s text? Uncle Fred’s funeral is on Saturday at 2. There is to be a notice in the Herald tomorrow from you, Auntie Gwenda ect… Ask the Cooney’s if they can help you look for it online. I will keep it for you. Tried to ring but didn’t get you. Not sure if you need me to do anything else for you. I will off course get flowers and sign from you. Graham and David will both be there. Love you and thinking about you at this time. Enjoy yourself, they all know you would be there if you could.
To Jan Williams
We hope you enjoy your trip in Europe. Many greetings from Claes, Åsa, Matilda and Dennis in Halmstad Sweden. Nice to meet you next month. Whether is fine in Halmstad.
Hi Robyn from Ruth, we have got home from Chch and as the plane took off I had a wee cry – it was so lovely seeing our children & grandchildren especially the utterly gorgeous 8 day old twin girls.