DANUBE and RHINE BLOG 05
Monday June 3, 2013
You’ve probably heard by now that Central Europe (in particular the countries we’ve come to visit: Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, etc) is being swept by extensive flooding – on a scale, according to some reports, not seen in 500 years! And, as I mentioned in the previous blog, both the Rhine and the Danube are currently closed to shipping – thanks to water-levels that are too high to allow river-boats like ours to pass safely beneath the numerous bridges.
We sure chose the right time for this Mad Midlife Adventure – right?!?
In case you’re worrying on our behalf, losing sleep, and stressing that we’re caught up in these events, I wanted to reassure you and put you in the picture:
- We’re FINE, all 23 of us … warm, safe, dry and in no danger. We’re still onboard the Amadeus Princess (which is safely tied up at its moorings in the lovely German city of Coblenz) … we’re free to go ashore whenever … and we’re still being well looked after by the friendly crew.
- Water levels on this stretch of the Rhine are still rising (we’ve been watching the water creep higher and higher across the path that runs alongside our ship), but they’re expected to peak tomorrow – at which stage, hopefully, they’ll begin to drop. How fast? How soon? How long? No one knows at this point, but we (and the hundreds of other cruise ships that are affected) are obviously hoping for the best.
- Our planned itinerary has been disrupted, of course, and that’s disappointing. But alternative sightseeing is being arranged by the crew (on a day-by-day basis) – so we’re not sitting around feeling miserable or bored. Today, for example, several of our group went by coach to Miltenberg, a lovely medieval town on a bend of the Rhine – and the rest of us enjoyed a warm sunny day here in Coblenz, exploring, shopping, and cable-car-riding. Tomorrow we’re heading up into the Moselle River Valley to check out the Castle Reichsburg in the town of Cochem and do some serious wine-tasting.
- What’s the forecast? What might the next few days hold? We can only guess at this point. But the hope is that we might soon resume our cruise up-river – albeit shortened as necessary to ensure we get to Budapest on schedule.
There’s not much else to say right now. But we’ll keep you posted, I promise. So watch this space …
This comes with a cheerful “HELLO!” from your Mad Midlife friends!
Yours bloggedly – JOHN
P.S. If you want to leave a message for someone in our group, just click on the little speech bubble at the top of this page, and add your ‘COMMENTS’! Make sure you say who it’s for and who it’s from – and keep it brief.
Hi Rosalie & Derek, John & Robyn ( and anyone else who may know us)
Webbed feet – again!! I think you are just trying to “top” our 2010 trip. It’s wet here too – but not as wet as Europe obviously has been.
Important news for R. C showed me an email from her daughter-in-law – baby lost at 35 weeks. Cord around neck. C is planning to fly up beginning of July to see them. So sad.
Thinking of you all and remembering the great time we had even though it rained.
God bless – Claire & Caith M
Hi Margaret Vincent,
Despite the weather and change of plans I do hope you are having a fabulous time and meeting some great people.
Cheers,
Jenny.
Hi Cheryl Thomson
We are all missing you and looking forward to all the tall tales. Take care. Love Lue and Sharon and friends
Hello Mum (Helen Wylie)
I hope you are enjoying the rain! Nothing you can do about the weather and it’s often better to see a place well, even if you are forced to, than to rush around from place to place without getting a feel for any one place. I’m sure the locals are friendly, especially since you are all sharing the same wet conditions. Joshua is home from school today with a cold but is already phoning me at work asking that I take him BMX biking after work, so he is on the mend. Love, Western Australian Wylies
it could only happen to you midlife mad lot!! glad to hear you are all safe, well & cheerful xxx
For Patty O
Pleased your safe Mumma. Sounds like a grand adventure… All well here.
But seriously… I am the fave eh?
Shannyn
For Patty O
Pity about the flooding,Ron Hayden thought you might be in the area.Good news my tumor has only grown ten per cent in one year and thats great. Jen has put me on to your site and I will keep my eye on whats happening. Maureen
For Lyn Sheffield.
Glad to get your text to say you are all fine. We had no idea there was flooding at all – but there’s plenty of rain here at the moment, so we’re feeling sympathetic with our wet feet. All here is well, generally. My birthday was relaxing and lovely. Have started yet another place for work, so living in vague tiredness for the next while.
Love Claire
My birthday was good to Mum, just what I wanted……keep txting updates……..xox
Hi Gran_Marg (B).
Don’t bother bringing any of that rain back with you – we’re getting enough here at the moment – Ha Ha.
Hope you’re having a blast anyway.
Bet you’re glad you took that jacket.
Love & Best wishes from all at Whareora
Dear Mum (Helen Wylie),
Such a shame about the weather, hope you are having some good experiences anyhow. Try and text if you can.
All well here, getting so cold now though.
Got your Singapore postcards yesterday, a thrill for the boys.
Love Rachel xo
Hope you have a good time in Germany. Love Zach xxxoo
Hi Grandma Helen McKenzie,
Mia and Frankie like that you are on a Princess boat, their eyes lit up at the thought. Shame about all the flooding, although sounds like there is still lots of adventures and fun to be had and seen. Looking forward to your next group photo shoot posted. All the best for getting the tour back on track and onward to Budapest.
Yours bloggedly Mia , Frankie, Mum and John xxxxoooxxxxx
Hi Janet And Malcolm,
Cold & showery here today 10 degrees.
Had a wonderful birthday
Max and Mandy are fine
Ruth & Wendy are enjoying your warm house and TV
Oh well with the rain there is always shopping!!!!!!!!!
Love
Glenys & Barry
Cheryl Thomson – Oh Dear I guess the poor old credit card will get some damage with all the shopping 🙁 Popped in to see John today and other visitors (your old neighbours) called in too. All is well and we will pop in over the next couple of weeks and keep John posted with copies of the blog. Enjoy!!!!!
To Patty Osborne. Hello from the “girls”. Sorry to hear about the flooding and hope you will be on the move very shortly. Raining and cold here. Love Heather
To Margaret Vincent
Read about your loo blunder! Graeme rang this morning to see if we knew how you’re getting on. At least there’s still plenty to see while you’re stuck in one place and hopefully you’ll be able to move on sooner rather than later.
Guten morgen to Cheryl
Wie gehtes der, are you learning to sprechen sie deutsch, was hast du so gemacht?
Hope you still enjoying all the sights – From Diane and John
Hi Alison & Alan Keen
Travel always has its surprises and unexpected happenings!
Hope you are coping with the weather and floods and that they are on the improve.
Make the most of the unexpected changes and all the best for what eventuates instead.
Have a happy time and keep well both of you. Love, Barbara & Graeme
Hi Mum (Helen Wylie)
Enjoy the new friends you are making and the experiences you are having. The flood is all part of the adventure. You may be fluent in German by the time you arrive home! Luv Jill
Hi Margarert Vincent,
Not good weatherwise for you. Make the the best of a bad situation, remember only drink from a bottle that has had a sealed top or a wine bottle. Have been looking at the vido’s of the flooding on the Telegraph (UK) poor people who have been inundated with water.LoveJT& LIz.x
To our two lovely cousins Helen M and Helen W. Hope you took the coats that Elaine suggested! We are visualising with very fond memories those places that John is describing. Pass on our regards to Rosalie and Derek whose company we enjoyed on the mediteranian trip. Go well and enjoy.
Bill and Elaine
Hi there Rosalie and Derek .. fancy you being on this tour.. I am sure you are having a super time even with the flooding. Enjoy! Bev and Denis
J & R.. Love the pics .. it all looks amazing. What’s a bit of flooding to a bunch of kiwis.. I’m its all a great experience. Luv B & D