Low rolling hills, between which nestled red bricked homes with their rooves of like colour. The occasional old barns and homes of mixed brick, wood and shingled rooves were interspersed throughout the region. The Germans were still in the process of greening the waterway, with hundreds of young saplings taking a foothold along the banks. […]
6:00am and Bob was awakened by a lady’s group performing their morning exercises to music in the park next door. It was hello to the Dortmund Ems Canal early in the day as Gratis continued on her way to the Mittelland Kanal. Late afternoon and a tiny stick canal led us up a narrow […]
This afternoon Gratis completed her Rhein sojourn as she turned into the Rhein – Herne Canal. The widest we had been onto date, it easily handled two barges of twelve metre width and a small boat or two. It was important to keep toward the back in these locks as the rush of water was […]
120km today. Beautiful country. Moored in a marina at Hitdorf.
Awaking to find a thin fog drifting upon the surface river, Bob and I relaxed with a warming mug of coffee each. A small breeze at last set in, and off we set. Only a few short kilometres took us to the lock that would conclude our Mosel journey and see the commencement of the […]
Situated upon peaks that soar seventy metres above the Alzette and Pétrusse Rivers, the city of Luxembourg is linked to the rest of the world by numerous bridges and viaducts. Wandering the town, we were amazed by the intricacy of the town’s layout. Constructed on multiple levels, that range from the mountain peak into the […]
The last two days have seen us out exploring. Wednesday took us along the southern Rhein’s banks to Wiesbaden and back. Next year shall see us returning for a much more in depth exploration, for the area was truly spectacular. Yesterday, it was Trier, the oldest town in Germany. On a plaque in one church was […]
This was the day we drove to Trier, a town with no less than nine UNESCO world heritage sites. Tourist beware, this is a place that requires more than four hours’ duration for exploration. We intend to return. In short, the town was settled by the Celts in 4BC and named Treuorum: it is believed […]
This afternoon, Bob and I drove along the Rhein to the south of Koblenz, first on the eastern bank, then the west to glean an insight into the lay of the land and to determine whether it would be worth a visit in the future. As always, the scenery blew us away. Very different to […]
A non – eventful trip of just over 51km in cold and rain: thankfully no wind!! Sorry, but no pics. We came upon a delightful little yacht mooring on our left just past the Kurt – Schumacher Brücke bridge. It’s street address, An der Fähre 6: just after the bridge there were six pontoons. We […]
We remained moored in Cochem today. The town was far too interesting not to. The town itself: We delighted in the statues. This one showed true use of imagination: A ride in a cable car took us up the steep hillside and a short walk provided a fantastic view of both the Reichsburg Castle and […]
Every day brings something new. Beauty in the craftmanship. Preparations for the annual wine harvest festivals. A new bridge under constructions was of immense proportions! A stop in at a weekly market. A town’s arch at the beginning of a bridge was worth a look. More picturesque countryside. A clock upo a tower built within the cliff […]
After a 72km motor at 10 – 11km/hr (the current increased a little yesterday) we arrived in Cochem late afternoon. A quick wander showed us what a beautiful town it is. Tomorrow morning we shall be visiting its castle. Every day there is something new to view: Canoeists in the lock. A massive new brudge under […]
After Trier, we found that with each tributary passed, the river flow increased a little more: in comparison with the Rhone and Saone the current was nothing about which to be concerned. A bit of excitement this particular day, as we approached Bridge Thὅrnich. A group of young men were enjoying the adrenalin rush of […]
Our night stop is at this delightful town of Bernkastel – Kues. If ever the chance arises, it is a must to visit.
Coffee was had amidst the rocking swells created by the passing barges. This was the land of the grapes. Hillsides steep, the vines grew in neat as a pin soldier – like lines. Sadly, our planned stopover at the entrance to the Syre Gorge, Luxembourg, didn’t eventuate. On arriving at the entrance, it was with […]
A long day that saw us arrive on the outskirts of the small country town of Schengen, the town where numerous European countries met to write up the Schengen Agreement. One important aspect for the traveller is the time allowed in each country that signed on and became a member of the Schengen agreement. If […]
After a 54km day of pleasant motoring and six locks, we arrived in the Luxembourg town of Schengen.
Another easy motor found us in Metz. Highlights, St Etienne’s Cathedral, 12th/13th century Templar’s Chapel and the Gare. The Templar’s chapel (also top image)
