Sunday

Sunday morning 10:00 saw us leaving the hotel to go to the pedestrian ferry crossing across the Rhine.

	The rumour that we were going for a lesson in line dancing is just not true!
We were in fact going to the Rhine museum to learn about the history of shipping on the Rhine. We had a very charming volunteer guide. (No he really isn't giving us dancing lessons!)	The first exhibit was this ancient boat that had been found in the Rhine, but equally interesting is the wall next to it which was the ancient harbour wall and demonstrates where the waters used to come. The water defences now keep back the water to its current position.
	There were lots of models of the various types of water transport through the ages with an explanation of their use and advantages. It was a very interesting museum.
Above is a model of the old pontoon bridge which used to cross the Rhine. When ships wanted to pass a section was removed. Right is a section of a painting where you can see the old town and the old pontoon bridge.
	After the visit we took the ferry back to the old town and had lunch at the "Altes Brauhaus". This is where the Königsbacher beer was originally made. The food could best be described as "filling", but then, coming from Belgium, we are spoilt.
Although, when it came to desert, some people were just not for sharing!
	In the afternoon we drove to Stolzenfels castle. As you can see it was high up, overlooking the Rhine. And yes, we had to walk up there. Burnt off the lunch anyway. Although a 13th century castle it was extensively rebuilt in 1842 and has a distinct Italian feel to it. The 2 towers you see to the left of the photo are over the chapel.

When we eventually reached the top there were splendid views. Across the river is yet another fairy-tale castle which you can see to the right and below.


We were disappointed that our English-speaking guide was not able to come and so we had to join the group with the German speaking guide and with a bit of prompting from the German-speakers we managed to translate everything. We were also disappointed that the castle was being renovated and the work is not expected to be finished until 2011! Consequently there were a lot of things we could not see. We went into the chapel first and it was decorated with a definite art nouveau feel. The picture below is not faded but it was painted in soft pastel shades.

Moving on from the chapel we went into the little garden. The walls had been prepared for re-painting but it still had an Italian feel.

We went up the steps to enter into the courtyard and from there into a few of the rooms of castle.
	Below, waiting to enter the palace.
This is a detail from the Queen's room and below you can see us polishing the floor inside the magnificent room.
We also visited several rooms where the furniture had been removed ready for renovation. At the end of the tour we came back out into the Italian style courtyard.

Antwerp British and International Women

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Weekend Special to Koblenz - Sunday