Mosel River

The next few days saw us sailing down the Mosel River - I must admit this is a wonderful way to tour - no unpacking - wonderful food and wine! These are some of the images we saw when floating past - the first is us in one of the many locks - we had to collapse the sun shade so we could fit under the bridge.




A castle behind one of the many vineyards - it was good to see some hills after the flatness of the Netherlands - but I wouldn't want to be working in these vineyards.

Another of the villages we sailed past.







We didn't have to lower the sunshades to fit under this bridge - I imagine it is part of one of the autobahns.


A closer look at the vineyards - every bit of space is used!

Coblenz

Late on the morning of 13 April we arrived at Coblenz - this is where we were to leave the Rhine and sail down the Mozel River.
Our tour, was once again, very interesting and full of the quaintness of the cities in this area. The first image is of parts of the Berlin Wall which were given to the city on some auspicious occasion which eludes me at the moment - something to do with Coblenz being recognised as the centre of parts of Germany (sorry my history lesson has been forgotten already).



One of the old monastries has now been converted to an art gallery for modern art - whilst we didn't go inside we did see this wonderful sculpture which is by a world famous artist - sorry can't remember the name!












This ancient gate was in the same area as the thumb above!


And then I started taking photos of the manhole covers - this is the symbol of the city of Coblenz - the spitting boy - there is also a statue (with him regularly spitting water) but I couldn't get a really good photo.

Cologne

We arrived at Cologne at around 8.00 am on 12 April after sailing down the Rhine past some beautiful country. The river is very busy with barges passing all the time. River banks are very green with lots of very fat cows and sheep grazing. Because the weather was so good the locals were out in force, walking, running, riding bikes, fishing or just relaxing by the river banks.

These are some of the older houses still standing in Cologne - very cute.

The cathedral was magnificent - as they all are - but I found this part of the floor really interesting - another quilt? I don't think so!








I hope you are fascinated, as was I, with the contrast between the old and the new - the background shows the cathedral - and if you click on the photo to enlarge it you will see a very modern statue - unlike the others around the country!

Arnheim

11 April saw us in Arnheim - famous from the film A Bridge Too Far.
I visited the museum at Oosterbeek, which is in the actual building that the British used as
their headquarters during the campaign. A very moving time- especially visiting the cemetry where so many of the graves are for unknown soldiers.






And here is the bridge which replaced that which was blown up by the Germans - the allies never did capture it! What a waste of life.

The next day we woke in Dordrecht and were taken by bus to Klinderdijk to see the windmills - I also enjoyed their sculpture on the canal.














We then set sail for Rotterdam - what a huge port - it never seemed to end. Now these houses were quite amazing - and definitely had a lean to them! I can almost feel a quilt coming on!







Our next excursion took us to De Haag - I loved this pattern on the gates to the International Court building.












Then off to the Delft factory - I now know why the product is so expensive although I did indulge in a thimble. Everything is painstakingly handpainted so each are unique.

Our cruise director (we started in Amsterdam) had a surprise for us - a visit to Keukenhof Gardens. We were so lucky as they are only open for 8 weeks of the year. They are absolutely beautiful and the aroma from the hyacinths was amazing. I'm hoping today to go to our local nursery and stock up on more bulbs - I think my planting in the past has been too sparse. However I'm sure their blooms are twice the size of mine. Also seeing the fields of tulips on our travels is a memory to keep forever.




Other highlights of the gardens were the many interesting sculptures - here is one of them.










This photo was taken from our cabin - and I honestly can't remember if it was a sunrise or sunset (forget to reset the time on the camera) as I lost touch with which direction we were facing! However I think it must be sunset as I'm sure those streams from the aircraft were from the airport which I think was West of Amsterdam but don't quote me!

Amsterdam

Well at last we are home from our travels and I will attempt to update my blog with a diary of our journey.
After Brussells we travelled by train to Amsterdam. Our first impression, on leaving the station, was the parking lot for the bikes! We soon found out that bikes have the right of way - I only got hit once!!













I loved the houses all crammed up together - especially the crooked ones - I think my camera may have straightened them in the processing! And we did do the grand tour of the Red Light district - but no photos - although I was impressed that the girls were working at 10.00 a m on Easter Sunday.