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Amadeus Symphony in Winningen
May 2017. Cruised, starting from Arnhem, on the M/S
Amadeus Symphony. Not quite the Holiday we thought it was going
to be. A bad start. We were supposed to be picked up at 06.00. Had to
be at Folkestone by 08.45, a journey of up to 2 hours on a baddish day
so fair enough. However, our driver had 04.00 as our pick up! Left home
at 05.00 and arrived at Folkestone at 06.30. Sister Ann and brother
in law Michael arrived even earlier and were, in fact, woken up by the
driver ringing their bell. Not the start any of us wanted, especially
as we weren't to arrive at the boat until after 6 pm (local time).
Of course there were high spots. We went in for the three
general knowledge quizzes they had and won three boxes of chocolates
(only one prize given per quiz you understand!). The other two we teamed
up with were John, from Blockley in Worcestershire, and Rachel from
Battle in Sussex.
BONN:
WINNINGEN:
COCHEM:
ZELL:
The weather here took a turn for the better and we suddenly found out
what a problem shutting the sun deck (because of the low bridges) was.
BERNKASTEL-KUES:
Spent the night docked in Bernkastel and a local troupe (The Michael
Fischer Group) entertained us. Very jolly, German folk songs etc. One
of the group (a lady) played a barrel organ. I didn't know there was
so much involved (I thought you just turned a handle!), excellent.
TRIER:
By this time we were well aware what the sights would be as we sailed.
Vines and caravans! An astonishing amount of both. Every bit of hillside
seems to be taken up by vines and every spare piece of riverside seems
to be taken up by caravans.
TRABEN-TRARBACH:
KOBLENZ:
Back on the Rhine and among the Castles! A particularly attractive one
we passed was Marksburg, built in 1100 it is one of the few NOT destroyed
by the French and since 1931 has been used as the headquarters of the
German Castle Association.
Marksburg Castle (through the glass of the
cabin window)
There is a stunning photo of the
Castle on Wikipedia
FRANKFURT:
MILTENBURG:
WERTHEIM:
ASCHAFFENBURG:
With the grotty weather and the lack of quiet places to read we were
in the cabin when there was lightning and thunder and torrential rain.
Good thing we were as I suddenly noticed dripping water coming through
the ceiling (about a foot from my bed). Went to reception and they sent
a man who removed ceiling tiles and revealed lots of soaking wet foam
rubber and foil. Anyway, with help, it didn't take him too long to fix
it so no real harm done. Edna notes in her Journal that this is one
holiday she won't be sorry to get home from because of the many minor
irritations.
STRASBOURG:
RUDESHEIM:
OBERWESEL:
Overnight in Oberwesel and the Michael Fischer Group came aboard to
entertain us again. Didn't play many things that we knew so did not
enjoy it as much as the first time (and no barrel organ!).
Just before we arrived in Andernach we passed Koblenz again and managed
to get (through the window from the cabin) pictures of St. Kastor's
Basilica and the monument to Wilhelm I (again!).
ANDERNACH:
After leaving Andernach we passed Cologne (sadly not stopping) so managed
to get a couple of pictures of the Cathedral through the cabin window.
 
UTRECHT: Although the brochure said that we could "Roam Utrecht's
historic centre" we moored outside of the City for what the Cruise
Director told us was "A technical stop". No time to see anything.
AMSTERDAM:
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