Life on the river bank...

Just a few more shots from the ship as it floats past.

Here..comes..... arrrnotherone....

....just like the other one... (Monty Python ref)
According to one fellow traveller today...we are up to 50 locks....mmm as I said to her  'well.... never let  the truth get in the way of  a good story'... But you know..she may not be far wrong.   Goodness me....day 2 now of day and night locks. Not that I am complaining... far from it.   It it so amazing. I am awe stuck by the engineering.  How do you climb a mountain on a boat?  Good old EU money apparently had a hand in it.
We are really enjoying this river cruise.   Even though we cannot escape the early morning call tomorrow morning ... It has been amazing so far.  

PCU #5: Tony Temerson

Wow...we were treated to an excellent concert by a world renowned Zither player.. One Of only 5 apparently of this class.
Hood grief what an amazing man! and funny to boot. 

PCU#3: Cologne in Cologne

We had a most excellent day relaxing, then berthed in Cologne late afternoon.  We did the guided walk which concluded at the majestic cathedral.  Totally delightful. 
Our guide abandoned us there and we were left to meander back through the streets to the ship.
It was so very hot and humid. The moisture coming straight off the Rhine creating a steamy haze.
We naturally were in need of hydration.   The boys soon found a nice establishment offering a refreshing beverage.... or two.
I love the custom here.  The beer wenches bring out small glasses to the lads and then kept bringing more out as the glasses emptied until they put a coaster on the glass.. How civilised hehehe. 
I found some shops...surprise surprise...
Among them a 4711 shop sat nestled between Armani and Gucci.   Oh my...not at all Grandma scents. They offered a wide range of fragrances I'd never seen or heard of.  Some floral but mostly citrus based. I bagged a very fresh orange base Eau de Cologne.   Perfect for...Hot steamy days. 😁

PCU #4: Rudesheim

First stop in Rudesheim was the mechanical music museum.   Fantastic and fascinating... We were all totally captivated. 
We then found the clock shop Frances, our lovely sister in law, recommended.   There is a rather magnificent hand crafted cuckoo clock on its own adventure now. Winging it's way to Mount Eliza! Just what we need...another one for the collection.  Love it.  Paul's choice as it is his birthday gift... He did well.
It was a stunning village with lots of cafes and brilliant old buildings.
We set sail again early evening and passed through Frankfurt by night.

Heading to the Danube

Just on the river Main climbing lock by lock towards the Danube.  Nice and relaxing.

Pulling into Cologne

Coffee and cake and piano...before heading off for walking tour.

Playing Catch Up...#1: 50 Shades of Gray

Wet and very gray day, a good day to be boat -ship bound for the first long stretch of cruising down the Rhine.
Last night was a new experience.  We had the cabin door open all night and slipped off to sleep with the world just sliding by.
Apologies for my thumb trying to do a bit of photo bombing...hehehe.  

Blue Moon

On the Main River now.   The day has ended with a party once again.  We opted for the degustation in the bistro tonight...an intimate affair of only 20.  Superb of course. 
Dinner was followed by another band and dancing.  The atmosphere in the valley was quite mysterious as mist settled around the ship.
Time for bed and the view from our room as we enter yet another lock was stunning... The fading light and the moon produced a lovely silhouette for yet another castle perched above the mist...just a little bit special.

Daft Bat Strikes Again

Hmmm...wondered why sister in law, Valerie,  thought we had no internet as blog posts had halted...no...' been updating each day and the internet has been fine.  So where are they?...  Daft Bat has sent them to my artist blog site...which mind you...I forgot I had even set up... ages ago.  Durh what a nong.  So I shall repost them on the correct site when I regain my sense of humour. Grizzlegrumppertufht!
They'll be out of sync... But if you don't tell anybody... I won't. 
Terhhh.  (shakes head)  you know what...I was being almost normal for awhile there...and that was never going to do was it?

Miltenburg

What a pleasant afternoon in this sweet little village.  Topped off by just making it back to the ship in time.  Now being treated to a thunderstorm after a warm and sunny day... so we made it back in time in more ways than one!
Note the photo of the lovely vessel we are lucky enough to be on. After seeing quite a few of the other river boats...I can honestly say, the Avalon Passion is way superior.  Well done Shirley! and thank you so very much.X 

As for the jacuzzi...

I stayed behind this morning... While the others went exploring...nice 😁

Well now...this is s bit better.

So this is more like it. Today we ventured out...out of 'the district '. Basically where all the normal people are. This is exactly what I was hoping Amsterdam would be.   Totally lovely.  Markets, cafes,  brilliant architecture... So happy we found this.

Amsterdam

Hmmm...I've left posting for a few days as I wanted to give it a fair chance and not be negative...but narh...not a fan.  So sad really...a once proud and grand city, wonderful architecture and a centre of world trade...reduced to a mecca for drugs and flesh trade...and it's just so filthy... Once beautiful canals awash with garbage...streets the same...seems all the pride got on a barge and left town.
However... Here are some sanitised photos and you can't beat that view from our stateroom taken at sunrise...and if you don't look down....you don't see the flotsam.
We joined the ship yesterday afternoon.
Oh my...it is quite luxurious... Ooohlala.
Dinner last night was amazing...good times ahead me thinks!
On on for the next chapter of this adventure. 
Full steam ahead captain...

Just a leeeetle bit more...

30 years

Congratulations to Peter and Shirley who celebrated 30 years of married bliss yesterday. 
We had a 3 hour plus drive back to London which was a mad dash at the end to get the van back to the rental mob.  But we made it... just.   Well we were late but they didn't charge us.  
We showed Peter and Shirley a little of London... What was I saying about avoiding peak hour on the tube?   Oh well it seems to be taken as an amusing experience by Peter at least.  Oh goodness how do Londoners do this squeeze day after day?
After our somewhat dishevelled selves arrived back at the hotel, quick freshen up and then went out for an excellent Italian meal to celebrate their milestone.
Sunrise just now. Not the best or most fashionable address in town but you can't beat that sunrise.