This morning we had an excursion to Obernai, to visit the first of our Christmas market with time to explore the old fortified town. The coach had to stop in the coach park outside the town and we had to walk in through a very small doorway in the town wall. The top of the wall is very wide leaving a space on the inside like a moat before the houses.
The main street was full of the market but you could still see the old buildings of the town with their roof windows complete with shutters.
We tried the mulled wine, where they charge a 2€ deposit of the glasses, so there are none littering the streets.
We visited the church which was open, not realising there was a funeral taking place. When we did we quickly and quietly left, so only a few pictures.
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We walked the narrow streets and alleyways with their bridges connecting the properties on both sides.
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The clock tower now houses a museum, just in the one small room but it was quite packed with mainly toys and a bell.
At the back of the town we came across another tower, the notice at its base read as follows
| It was time to make our way back to the coach and returning to the ship for lunch. On the way we were slightly delayed by of all things a train. |
Back at the ship we chose the buffet lunch in the lounge. After lunch we were able to take the shuttle bus into Strasbourg. The ship had laid on 2 buses into town just after lunch and two returning in time for dinner. We have been to Strasbourg before but had limited time last year,so this time we visited the Cathedral with its massive door, some of the best views of the tower are from the courtyard opposite, one of the strange things about the courtyard was the book.
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Inside the Cathedral is a massive clock that does things on the hour, if you can get near the front of the crowed you can see it.
The building is absolutely huge inside and it was worth queuing up to get in. Hanging the length of the building were large tapestries. The other unusual point ais the painted ceilings.
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There was a very large nativity scene set out along one side and a collection of figures in individual cases. These were in poor condition and have recently been restored
We then walked most of the way round the old town which is an island. Due to the Christmas Market they have all the bridges onto the town closed to traffic, only pedestrians who have to pass security and trams are allowed in. The waters appeared to be running quite fast.
Rather than continuing all the way round alongside the river we turned back into the centre of town and ended up walking completely in the wrong direction, good job I put the coach pickup place on google maps. We did however get to see the town Christmas tree. On the right track we passed the Town Hall with its illuminations in the courtyard as well as a bit of the market
The 5 o’clock coach was waiting to leave and we managed to take the last two seats, there was another coach at 5-30 had it been full. Again a short trip back to the boat for another 4 course meal and at 10 pm we set sail for the first time.
We stood out on the top deck to watch her cast off, move backwards down the arm and then head off downstream before retiring to bed for the night.
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