Rhine and Moselle

 Thursday 21 Sept

I forgot to close the bathroom window, which I realised very early but didn't want to risk missing the 8am bus. Also realised I have forgotten the power bank, but I have my S8 so power sharing is possible. (Wrong)  Also forgot a bit of string and detergent. And left a ripe banana behind. The bus was slow, glad I don't have to get out during rush hour, didn't realise Barry could get so congested.

       Flight was on an Embardier 190 operated by German Airways and was pleasant. Back was pretty empty, but we caught up with the bad weather. Schiphol was wet but it is a good place to waste a couple of hours. Got out on the terrace, found some not expensive food found somewhere to sit and my train was on time.
    Made the first connection at Venlo, I think the train waited, but that meant that I missed the connection at Monchengladbach. Hotel sent directions to get in while I was waiting, cost 6 Euro. Next train was going all the way to Koblenz, so I stayed on it, trains at night are no good, useless views. At least Google got me to the hotel, and there was an Aldi, so I had nibbles.

Friday 22 Sept

The internet said this was the only day to get up the Moselle. The tourist office said nothing went up the Moselle. Finding where they might berth was another problem. Shock horror in the end - I asked, wandered to the place and was about to give up when I saw a boat heading for the landing stage. It had been due at 1pm and it was now 1330. Sure enough it was the boat and the guy said they would be going at 1530 and would accept credit cards. So off to McD's for lunch and back to catch the boat. Preferred credit card failed to work, so used a backup.
    Fantastic trip, through 3 locks and a thunderstorm, into the evening, with the mist rising off the river. Cochem Castle was fairy-tale, illuminated in the air above the town. Fantastic. Train ride back reminds me that picturesque wooded hillsides and even rivers don't show up in the dark.
    Got off the train early and google guided me but Aldi shut at 2100 so that extra walk was a waste of time.

Saturday 23 Sept

While hanging about checking out yesterdays cruise I had booked on a traditional paddle steamer trip departing 9am So it was an early breakfast and off to the Rhine 45min walk.
    Problem being on a thing like this was that everyone wants to wave at you. It also seemed very manoeuvrable. I decided that it had a bow thruster, it also had a stern drive, maybe even 2, but I did eventually decide that the paddle wheels were driving it. Lot of current on the river, even though it was a couple of feet low.
    For someone who likes watching trains his trip was a delight as there is a busy rail line on each side of the river and they are very busy with freight and all sorts of passenger services, even a luxury steam train.(which I missed photographing as it passed too quickly.)

    Had about an hour and a half in Rudesheim. Rail tracks ran between the berth and the town so more train pictures.
    Trip back was faster with current under us, and the sun set. Red clouds and moonlight over castles,  and 70's music courtesy of what looked like a gay stag party.
    Rushed to Aldi and stocked up as it is closed on Sunday.

Sunday 24th

A day of rest - so on the computer tidying up photos and looking at what I am going to do. Have a hotel booked in Trier for Monday night and train back to Schipol at 0810 from Koblenz. There are one day unlimited travel tickets available but from 0900. If I stay in Trier I would have to be on an 0630 train. Have now booked an expensive hotel near the station for Wed evening.
    Wandered around the Moselle and a 7.30 breakfast. A day on the trains tomorrow.

Monday 25th

It was a good idea but fell apart at the first hurdle.
      The plan was to take the RB 10 at 0952 down the east bank of the Rhine. But, as I had unlimited travel, I took the 0916 to Andernach intending to be back in time, only the return RE5 was late and I got on the RB26, which was the stopping train and I didn't get back in time for the RB10. However, this train was going to Mainz, but down the west bank (which I have done before) so I stayed on it and avoided a bus and ferry ride. (Mainz Castle to Mainz HBF.)
    Wonderful scenery, with the mist rising off the river and Castles appearing above the fog in thevalley.
    Also made the RB33 earlier than expected. This line was not electrified so a diesel, but a modern one. That took me to Badmunstier am Stein. Changed to RE 17 then, think I picked up a train RE3 not the expected RB70 going through to Saarbruken. Its a snaky line lots of bends and tunnels.
    Trying to get pictures of the sun on the rivers we were following.

    Should have caught the fast train to Trier but it was crowded so got off and got on the slow one 10mins later, gave me time for a pizza. Saar was a coal mining area and following the river was fun. Got booked into B&B Hotel.
    Google messed up the walk to the boat place Trier has some busy roads running through it, google expected me to walk in them and then was out with the location of the place. It was also out in the location of a supermarket, but I found an Aldi and stocked up on mini stollen's.
    There appears to be a train connection if I take two boats so got another day pass in case it goes wrong and I have to catch a bus. Cyberghost flattened the computer battery with the wait for support.

Tuesday 26th

6.30 up, breakfast at 7am, out by 8am at boat a quarter to 9am departure. The walk to the boat station was better this time.
    Mist on the river again, chilly start, geese flying downriver in the mist. It was like some SF film as the sun lit up a swirling fog bank down the river. Fun observation is that all drivers seem to play the lights at the locks, and all the boats are late. We were 1hr late into Bernkastel-Kunes, which meant I missed the supposed 2pm boat. Got sent back to landing 3. Found a brochure which confirmed a 3.20 boat to TT. However, I almost missed it, as it left from landing 1 and I was waiting at landing 3.
    This boat was half an hour late. Got  off at Traben-Trabach - well - Trabach actually and crossed the bridge to Traben to get to the station. Local train on time but at the change at Bullay trains were delayed. the fast one by 30 minutes, which meant I could catch it instead of the scheduled slow train. (makes up for Monday). Saw a Cruise ship passing an RV park - horrible both ways. Offset by Egrets fishing at the waters edge.
    Total failure with VPN's Old phone didn't last the day either.

Wednesday 27th

Up at 0630 breakfast and got to the station, inevitably the train was a little late, but I made the connection in Dusseldorf. The connection was even later, which meant I missed the connection in Venlo, but trains were every half hour. Schiphol was nice, didn't go on the terrace, instead went to the gate and spent an hour doing photos.

   Flight was a bit bumpy, but quick, we landed from the west, so my great plan to get pictures of the centre and Barry failed. Stepped out into heavy rain but it soon stopped. Pretty rainbows.  Bus was not due for 40mins so I figured to walk a little, there is a bus shelter at the top of Porthkerry, weather was good so I continued walking. Eventually got home beating the bus by a good 10mins (it was 15mins late). Must remember it is a 1hr walk Porthkerry is a Country park so very pretty.

Full set of pictures can be seen at https://photos.app.goo.gl/Q6BqgW5ZKtZuMcMx8