Wednesday 3 December Rüdesheim & Koblenz

A later start today as we weren't due to moor until 9.15 am in Rüdesheim, we had been travelling since just after midnight but had to wait for a Viking Afloat ship to live so we could have their berth. Where all the Cruse boats moor they have to reverse

      out back to the main river. So as we made our way up to the moorings there were several boat coming down backwards. I have seen videos of the cruise ship movements in Miami but its not a patch on here, with boats going backwards for a quarter of a mile leaving, sliding past the others coming in to take up a recently vacated berth. Not only that but there is a constant ferry service crisscrossing the main navigation channel.

As we were on a GRJ holiday it was only right that we travelled into town on two land trains. This should have been a scenic journey but the weather was a very cold and damp so the carriage windows were misted up so we didn’t see much.

      In town we did our own thing wandering through the streets and markets stands  as well as enjoying a traditional coffee made with hot flaming Brandy.

 

As well as being famous for its coffee its also known for its mechanical devices, as the museum is guided tours only we didn’t have time to go round but we did visit the shop, then it was time to head back to the boat, again by train.

Back onboard again we ate in the upper lounge, much better views from up here and we were about to set off, doing our backwards bit to the main river and then cruise through the Rhine Gorge to Koblenz. This would be our only daylight cruise, unfortunately the lovely clear weather we have had on previous days had left us as we passed the many castles on our way down through the gorge.

This is not only the first time we have sailed during day light hours but its also the first time we have been onboard for afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes. When we reached the mouth of the Moselle the captain turned about 120° to port and did a very nice ferry glide before putting the power on to take us to our moorings. Something that use to be see in this country  but  are common on the continent are side slips often used rather than dry docks.

     There was a guided tour of Koblenz on offer but we decided to just go alone and wander round the town visiting a very modern church complete with a peace bell.

Another first for us was being in a market as it was getting dark so we could see the illuminations much better and a visit to yet another church.

We returned to the boat in good time as tonight was our gala diner, but before that we would be getting information on our debarkation in the morning and also all the crew would be presented to us with a bit of carol singing. The Gala diner was 5 courses not the normal 4 and I didn’t see anyone wearing a Dinner Jacket and bow tie. It was also time to settle our account, ours came to just under £20, we hadn’t been on board much during the day time and with unlimited wine with dinner I really dint want any more to drink . Again the boat would be sailing while we were in bed.