DANUBE and RHINE BLOG 06
Wednesday June 5, 2013
To further put your minds at rest:
- In contrast to what you might have been watching on TV news, the weather where we are on the flooded River Rhine has been fabulous – no rain – just clear blue skies and warm sunshine. Elsewhere in Central Europe (apparently) the rain has been falling, but not here. We’ve been truly lucky.
- While our planned itinerary is somewhat up the wop (thanks to the flooding), we’ve still been going ashore each day and visiting gorgeous places.
- Yesterday, for example, we explored the marvellously restored Reichburg Castle in the stunning medieval town of Cochem – along the beautiful, vineyard-smothered Moselle River Valley. (We also enjoyed some very generous wine-tasting in an underground cellar.)
- And, today, we drove through southwestern Germany to the famous university centre of Heidelberg (on the Nekar River) where we toured the gigantic castle that looms silently over the town and dates way back to Roman times.
- River levels are definitely dropping – YEEHAA! – and we hope that, by Friday, we’ll be cruising again … doing some catch-up kilometres aboard the Amadeus Princess.
- We feel very sorry for people (locals and tourists) caught on other, worse affected parts of Europe’s big rivers. But we’ve grown very fond of the pretty town (Coblenz) where we’ve been docked for the past few days – it’s hard to think of a nicer place to be marooned! In fact, overall, despite the flooding, we Mad Midlife Kiwis have been having a ball!
There’s lots more to come, of course. So don’t change channels or go away.
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 John & Robyn. Lots of fun and games this trip. Glad to hear you are all safe and well.
Hi to Sylvia Smith, Hope you are enjoying your trip even with all the changes, always lots of good fun and friends on the Midlife Madness trips. We will have to catch up and see your photos when you get back. Edna
Hi mum (Helen Wylie) sounds like you are having a great time regardless of the weather. Just go with the flow (not swept down the river!!) and enjoy being somewhere different from home. Frosty mornings here with winter definitely setting in. Are you able to text? Luv Jill
Hi Grandma, hope all is well, bet you did not think you would be wanting you gumboots.
I got 3rd at my cross country and I ran 1.5 ks. Ella got 1st in her race. Hope you are good and having lots of fun.
love from Holly
Hi John & Robyn,
The bionic man speaking! I’m sure you will make best of your stationary position – often exploring a local area is very rewarding. John maybe you will have more time now to partake in other activities we spoke about -nudge nudge wink wink!
Have a great time you wonderful two- love you both Denis & Bev.
Hi Cheryl
Hope you packed your trout rod as it looks as though you have plenty of water to fish in and
glad to hear you are keeping up the Orange blaster tradition with the camera. Marianne had a good laugh and is at Roto this weekend, hope to get there too. Uncle Pick is in W. Hosp. in AMU. Saw John and had a good natter, he is walking much better than when I last visited.
Sounds like a fab tour.I loved Amsterdam too.
Keep your head above water!
Love Mary
Hi Roe & Derek
Following your travels and realize you are not on the move on the boat at present because of the floods, but you seem to be having a great time all the same.
Looking forward to seeing you in sunny England (at the moment)
Love Doff & Bryanxx
Hi Coons … We all I can say is … Congrats are in order for having such a great attitude!!
It really does all look fantastic and can imagine the enjoyment. Wow .. plenty of wine flowing with all the vineyards?? Love the colour of those dwellings .. gorgeous.
Missing ya heaps .. the Kerks xx
Whoops …. was meant to say … “Well all I can say is”. Clearly still brain dead 🙂
Hi this is a message for Alan and Alison Keen,
The photos on line of your travels are amazing! Cocham looks so great and I bet there are some fantastic sights you are both having along the way! Hope that the weather is ok for you, and you are having loads of fun……. Enjoy!!! See you when you are back…….. XXX Love From Jenette Keen.
Hi Rosalie & Derek,
I hear you both are on the Rhine somewhere in a large canoe without any paddles! I am sure you two young things will find plenty to do gaddabouting around the local terrain in gumboots.
Great to learn you are still travelling and having fun. Cheers Denis & Bev xxx