Nuremberg, Germany–Saturday July 2

Rain–Rain go away…come again after the cruise.

July 2—Nuremberg, German

In every smooth sailing, a little rain must fall and yesterday it fell in buckets…  Thankfully not for long.  We were delayed in docking at our desired location because of heavy traffic on the Rhine, Main, Danube Canal.  This canal was proposed by Charlemagne in 783 and was called Charlemagne’s Ditch.  The idea was to create an East-West waterway from the Danube to the Main River that eventually flows into the Rhine. The present canal was opened in 1992 so it took several tries to get it right.  It is like a superhighway on water. There are over 60 locks and each one takes time to navigate and waiting in line to get through is required.  Right now on Sunday at 6:45 AM we are waiting patiently for our turn in the lock.

Weather has been beautiful even though a chance of rain was predicted each day.  Yesterday it finally caught up with us.  We had sprinkles the morning and during our ride from the ship to Nuremberg and the downpour while we were on our walking tour through the old part of the city. (see photos)

Our bus ride from the port city of Roth took us by the Stadium or rally grounds the Nazi’s built in the 1930’s and then abandoned after one use and the Coliseum look-alike building that is only a shell half built because of the beginning of WWII which is now used as a documentation center.

Nuremberg is a fortified medieval town with town with two sets of wall and a moat.  However the moat did not contain water but a Zoo of wild animals such as bears and wolves. Today sections can be rented out as gardens for the local residents.

We visited the city square where Saturday is market day.  Even in the rain the local farmers brought their fruits, vegetables and beautiful flowers.

After dinner last night a trio called a European-Gipsy Jazz musicians played while we watched the sunset in the west.

Food and wine flows freely on the ship and I can only hope the 10,000 plus steps each day will keep me from gaining weight.  More later… and pictures too!

 

Old fortified city center

Farmer’s Market on the city square

Sunset from the ship