We haven't been able to use the sun deck today because they lowered the bridge and the railings and stowed all the chairs so we could navigate under several low bridges. Of course, we weren't using the "sun" deck anyway because it was 45 degrees! Just our luck, it has been 10-15 degrees colder than usual during this time of year! But never fear, I was prepared! "Cuddleduds" top and bottom, warm socks, slacks, a tank top, a turtleneck, a sweatshirt, a coat, gloves for my fingers, a scarf for my neck and a hat for my head and I was ready!
We are now in the Bavarian region of Germany, a major white wine producing area. Our guide for the walking tour of Miltenberg was an ex-nun and a great storyteller about the history of the town. Homes with doors opening right on the cobblestone streets and lace curtains are the norm. Window boxes were originally invented to plant fragrant flowers to help overcome the odors wafting up from the streets where everyone dumped their slop jars!
A glassblower from Weinsberg, a town famous for talented glassblowers for generations, and who studied with Chihuly, came on the ship, gave a demonstration and of course sold his creations. He told the story of how his family left their lucrative glassblowing business in Communist East Germany and escaped to West Germany during the time the East Germans were patrolling the borders. He was 5 years old and his parents and grandparents told him they were going on an adventure through the forest like Hansel and Gretel and actually taped his mouth shut as they made the last dangerous trek. They succeeded and restarted their glassblowing studio and their lives in Weinsberg.
The food is great, the social director is a hoot and the service is incredible. Lorraine says they "do everything but brush our teeth!"
 |
| One of many locks the ship navigates-they are so narrow we sometimes bumped the sides! |
 |
| Golden, canola fields |
 |
| Apple and cherry trees are in bloom everywhere |
 |
| I loved all the different roof lines in this view from the hill |
 |
| You can see the bridge and gate to the city in the background |
 |
| An old cemetery |
No comments:
Post a Comment