Day 17 - 1 June
Not quite, more like a visit to two towns (typically scenic, but, let's be honest, the whole 'scenic little town' thing is getting a bit boring). The first visit was to the Abbey in Melk ("Would you like a little coffee with your Melk sir?"). I'll let the photos do the talking.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0qgD3iIZTfdCvx1nyQ4uFqWPSbncTKm4NUi5ziyF7DZlc6jwm7JlHEIjXrNraqYU1wwtsJmppsNMKHBMcPKKQstQsxySxmwPvM5fMAGI7iyMzrruBpcbgosN8qBXP94w6NXaCKHi5uA/s640/00.jpg) |
The back of Melk Abbey seen from the river |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZwHzeIs-TPxGhNbxCHnscyhdZsw8papx8twmZtn7yaLRU4mRHvwchVR6e7diu_hQG5xG_e7naqTurQRa20Ytr86FGzBtfQrIph3zA2vnVAqh-6lDjJSw2pPIxlJmC4BpuHttLY3VLD0/s640/01.jpg) |
The approach to the front of Melk Abbey, from the uphill side |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTAmXPZ2PzCFdzgTr7CRdWxruR8dqgeTAfOUarC48WFPTlFdDXyRhperY39BIOcqoMWyNuyZFPYDfW3aX2f4yTrjpB6JJ8YVvJ2_Bu8JsWbanKXoAwYFh7fTnMJqSzEMbrvvAreZcWiE/s640/03a.JPG) |
Close up showing the detail of the dome |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVQC91-48q3DGvbgVcL0thKwRZxRYo3FwznYePHE0YPF9Y_mywC6H15fWYiqLSzeC6PI0cMnAH2VNY3I3b1nkYa1pP271eHfYOWNM2eZDsJR-68z9yVwPEQ5CajtsCpUzRo_YLLbVtLU/s640/02.jpg) |
Ornate bit |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEica65F19kNQRtY3uriFQY4sv1fEN8yF-mzet0xvvACiGum4IMEGE2wjlVBihba9dBsFj-9YV5vOFPhitAsUE-ayflbvEoWpMrv8v9R6y908mkZ69ocT-p384ziJJZvEjNys2w5TqnTHoE/s640/03.jpg) |
An inner courtyard |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3qa7eZWq88FyTprst-WvG2M6BV6l68bH4a2yknUrSE5kD-QWBdYpzYpeJLe_P0WGNcQwt_ANrnfF8X62abcbOFGMtV6FKTPIowzWXiNB6GbeheaCQrtf4-oX0ZsSYtYdxUo0i6EtRtA/s640/04.jpg) |
A cloister |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiDfcgtT4MCTAIKaRW-DBWSpgUtZRW2N_zH7ywwpc82Zvlb2T7o6LuU5q5uXe-3jJbrS_LETyTHJETFQwSgreLv0IyMAoy50shC3BndvSoTdLq2J_d-l8vCoc0pov_EEs16LiXeYqVfw/s640/05.jpg) |
Some detail from inside the Abbey |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsKkxj0fOB_2AIV6OF4CsZD9tJOtpD8ImbwoWBabRMuR9OZjdn4e7yaY00HEjGYg8jLG8eeO0xCYbRLKfbAQJfDN_oz1AdgwN9kPCYXEL6bwOSeW3RKoCtOEQM6TKJdnvBKMewDRkiOg/s640/06.jpg) |
Lea, starting to feel a little tired, prepares to mount John |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1QoyVAlO0jrE-KMsAn-rulAsLB3ujgsHsLAtYo0l7DQcbOLRs_tq2X-8pSyJQ32p9f4sawShv_Cetp9iliiynUNq1cHgNAQraiEQPiKG8IybVGPzC8cAUwGKWi8KjqOz9fW0BhOVFNw/s640/07.jpg) |
Multi-media display |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOrD0AOxzkpCc8s_4rlzpaYNlnPPS1AAwUUUoOS8JPx8hEizY_bED9YS8lWuKUFmZGo1IVdAQ7uH_JCqGPNe-sszWjrx4gilSvxexJ0HhSy12ljsszeaW4VoTMGN2Y7AEZ2GlOaOntGw/s640/08.jpg) |
Model of the Abbey - it gives some sense of scale |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8jmi8gmLvO0IOeWC7211CMDRTL1wX0EX63LG8b8xQZS52OdPTJCjx39xHNNvKunoHWNnMc1ovaug9sGHp8rAPxn_HdAwuZHkAmPpqOLnMUO_PTJGSs1yTWpS212g2PONhaXtPM95O1o/s640/09.jpg) |
View of the town of Melk from outside the Abbey |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSvE2Yfy7FfG_u_pwBtvu6XJ-HWFQ9ynH2oqmK3bsQknRlNbjE1csW1rMvVAnuPlGJj6aobYx_eYl8KZt8sQGICukI-8e2eO4tvBizEhbFtHRGpaEza3-Kp3x94_7x7BKrOHfRsUBYvg/s640/10.jpg) |
Interior detail - spectacular decorations |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUo0gAITGpAC9Wz6Xp0xGZ-JcG1wZC-CuTeGE5EnhKCNYnbIg8jdkYyaFtUQb6qmUgvZ2RM2S24-T0GTjtFGLDgI2oa-cv_sK9B8nOj0M6HNzIQ0Pm9Gm0ZimCBZZ4ZtX0K6ezJFHv9U/s640/11.jpg) |
Inside the 'churchy bit' of the Abbey - incredible |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwn1HK3q5HQxOyrbHbja_NJQhO_YR-24vhE1P5Xy4HNcC8u8DSoZa4g6AE7i9ClkKzVWQrtIj9ovmdtini7G1qWwmsbZjUz4jYaGOUSMrAaO5LDzVWLBm_NfMJNB3Ly-66JMZ1ZtknO8/s640/12.jpg) |
Peter Moorhouse doing Kung Fu hands - wax on, wax off |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtkOkzrwdIKbnAnBVXqgfkI170v7Fnxwt1Ijt734ZLKTRneVEHxwx-fSCI1jFkXsy1jIyxsBS-XghK2NwPm7e1TlyVIsTxLCurszLCea3ZszhaVfTBmNa0An3olWtbWEYppOhlZ-8YUg/s640/13.jpg) |
Me in a 'selfie moment', amused by Peter's antics |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd8CHi8dOElD6w64deH170GgE36-yLiXIOjqy1ukr05nYiBi6Q70631Sv2zdyneK-E73Iivrsj-zxqE-ctoPIpGSOMEsep9bZKEUz-ffow8NtMKwtIiX3H7ulcO3n4ODOIpPIZb7D3pg/s640/15.JPG) |
Interior corridor |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCg6vTJuP_MhhwAD8ciXeP_uHNKcSZ7DRmBTihaKPi11DYhon1Z8zx6zjxhbxy2HdgfbbcgWuCnjwY3VLEJp9nB3Jn4NrMXmOhrx0D6Kp0eIas0G8I-_-9SKGDzFYmLfIwPJJUhqYyhU/s640/16.JPG) |
Detail of a spiral staircase |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGTFpkybO06imz86koh0WdG6iyzbC4vfhU4f4HBMIUrdeJOfSIHZjoJXDxvo1voQLV1uK6eAuHstrs_uAFm2yqKiLwJFltfOcP2BjOk1GXJJ0ZzKmZb1VXGRuD_bvT4qjgJqnTKUGWM0/s640/17.JPG) |
View of the countryside from the terrace at the back of the Abbey |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87c4OycUHfTOhKe7N4Nd-bdY7D67les81RseYEDBwbCq3ipGAPxDFEG3etpn4TZ2fIeoSvMGbjxwWGQ5u93MhLgreF6j4y31aVKtpcnhmnZPw1Zmvwztafb_dtHhEwFNo7u2R8NbYM74/s640/14.jpg) |
Back outside the Abbey, in the garden - John feeling relieved when Lea finally dismounted in front of the pavilion |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhThhgn2zR6VOQSldnIvHJUaNbl_pUsdJFFZ_evd-WW1pEQgu619TZ0qt4KyP1aJAEcuWDaxJFyW2M20um82x6m_QK1BmifJRRI8y5IT0P4F5ZRh9zetrSoEMicoTVXp9nNKa6mnpyg_c/s640/18.JPG) |
A bike we saw in the town of Melk during our walk back to the ship - it must get very cold here if the bikes need to wear woollen outfits |
After Melk it was back to the ship and we sailed for the even-more-scenic town of Durnstein, through the beautiful Wachau Valley. Although the scenery was boringly beautiful, the main item of interest was a developing chess battle between John and Lea.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmlvEQ-e_ZghG6EaQ2tXqLkADWKxqwIxwUWVKb3Bcf4EfbvXk7XmmiyY7YxaIghKQmmzPOFQoxKLMUja_4SFwshEIWD2pCG9Zpn7qmeb9fBCqGSMDuRpNDTczi5BZgHpvKe-f3NxELhc/s640/22.jpg) |
Another castle by the river |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmoKicKxkdhAZdWRpM-Nttcd4hfvRWyMxFlLYxfKo9cmmOzzWKkuGJkhLxr7ykiOVPnWWTlKd9gGBlVqGKlwykgL-OHdoZ6LLi34sBRNHvvWmAdCyxrAzhupPBZE-rrg-qTpxrRTEpfk/s640/19.jpg) |
John, playing black, consulting crew member and former child chess prodigy Alexandra - her comment: "You are screwed" |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKua4CjLOLqDhD5pG7faD5RD_gZ6q8NVyeGb6JrQqDCnNBzhQ-w_G_BZrXK3LNahywkTOR2uMyJlJ2RPKdxg1-W-GgIbSM5m5DBk7Dvw-EPUrynCBSOR1iHF_EaeQRZbPFK0vP4OLgmA/s640/20.jpg) |
Lea, mercilessly kicking a man when he is down |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3H4e2WzXSygvNbVm9I_ZdJ8df1A0CS9xKz8GPqvd7g4EkM1lmd0wzBqovosBZZXuLK3DvV9hjIhrkUAItyqQV_P_4ZKYXguqL1TfhkXrYO3d42Aer7oPZfoMcIYOp1iknHdtk53BkJ8/s640/21.jpg) |
After a ruthless victory, a glass of bubbly goes down a treat |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKVLxMsA9mBxIin-WKs_V-f4CFwgSGjUqs9rGEL0rNwHugRkq8rhUW7NzVIcje7dk_71zABN9sBvWmtpMKSnlmtCbBHXM8Aws6i3gJa4Bx5PAs4XnrUkTe070L7K3JbXNx4a3cv1YMGg/s640/27.JPG) |
Durnstein ahead. Is that another sodding castle I see on the hill behind the town? (Yes) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqt2GbVMoGsdj-MR22AuYIIatKXKMsjKPujEUf-lS6yitnfbAgal7H2hDEwdTnXJMyI2cu136Q_JGjkRT-VDS6S7kOfl0GbsKCVYl08RKebcuSF4FUkgMM0mWsNMAUiQoDLsiG8GOXY0/s640/26.jpg) |
Still, it is a pretty little town |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDarohR1ZUE0voGllb7gVZW_dvFMkX2PN_lgUf6gGkOjy950oDwHWTLrbynCeslRxHWMxi-pMZ6JmO1avlVjRptf94I2u6yT3vKPzVc63mYvSOrWPH1sBmx6anQ4baR9lYdU0-ypOieU/s640/23.jpg) |
Closer in |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPKaptlmk0_8NgclMTc6yg38PYORXTD91pjB4iDNERBi2epQSnmvSJHJI8le1ql83jmBjCVgYH7zeHzKvEeNSAXEqKnyFahGXXELP8rxZID-5bI_VqRWoSjapGnhNF88kQcN6o4SZcSY/s640/25.jpg) |
Preparing to dock - the castle is the one where King Richard the Lion Heart was held for ransom awhile back, before the internet |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Uq6GXvWZHIA5iTJCcEUfgn8ZDLM7WxgZsoTty3eAtEUzXiPMxz7DVYM6EuAWlyvNaAjX90ylLQHfc0nqOy9frHnkLSeQlkGiqYOv2qQ8Dyp8u0Sgf4eqm0YUFeWd78RDP-aN4y2yCW8/s640/28.jpg) |
Ivy-covered building on the way in to town |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_DkX_Zr0a4Us8K6iw7-MSFW1QdMVdM-22tQO2Y3zykLbzruKtYYa61nUgHY_8OhFLSHmTOfWFqpIO12KQ1q-cAa7c0apimkZsgx37TpY1qaYk6da0JRaczP2XqGHCqrurFSQgxC72Mo/s640/29.JPG) |
Local graveyard - immaculately looked after |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsMkkYj9GI_bJA1mJ0jJ0wD4VKhVlTqaVz65lU5Uj9w8pWRNYXfuzgxLZ_I32P0V-ktm8AST-6FMIRrlZSzYjMSaVH6u096FxtyVvl8ORNgDa2lyuNzpyH-uXe4OE-A89Ln-SoiG4E2E/s640/30.JPG) |
View down an alleyway |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmZsrISro7AnwBt5N29DdK48PAgMd-Lo9DJGHzZz7YnrOnJIsIrH7OZs1Q5riqHT4Q_OPoznCKAxYDPpXN71h9R3-MSxZIk2rCoci4BVsPQyRGWxy5J1vdtZN8wE0D-MPiNepX6PEumw/s640/31.jpg) |
One of the quirkier sights we saw - a Japanese tourist wearing lederhosen over his lime-green trousers |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDDRhBEaA2YEkdo_IOnyL8Xq2AHZ4PpS2mWzcP1Ir0vtlRzw7fFk4R1BeB7cReD7b9EWhjh1APRF-YZRFV9Xqz9kURVWQ7FaX3Drphc-OKv2_u34JyUWq0n6e4yPLw_JyruJqEJBbUXM/s640/32.JPG) |
Quirky sight number 2 - yes, it really does read: Real Rabbitshit with Liquer |
Finally we made it back on board, in time for more entertainment, this time from two musicians.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTD3VsikyyvEfYYCayQGQuXc9Shr0dBcEBuCLxtoCtMJ4UEXl1I6tM1dTxfvW3STe6ai9l0DeoinDwDbrm1s4-878BbY9n_FDPy1pnZulbadNAjxjL18RG_ovy9ol1QhazNP3X_vwtjk/s640/33.jpg) |
The accordion player was the conductor of an orchestra, and the guy with the steroid-enhanced woodwind was the first-violinist from the orchestra -they were very talented and entertaining |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjioTQ1uoD03JrSJaEFZ2cpMHIiB9xPTekETf_IXTSaO4tw393kOYzdbeObJ1oyAuxzXMP4WOXeg9pu-WCfgDkB1ahRMYH3i2MeEPCyJb-ruiiz9fidNxm_h5qlMQGWeS9GHAOR_iS5s/s640/34.JPG) |
A 20th Century castle further down the river |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6RQ3f_hDK3nrrWfPEO3KI9BKAOFE3XWeliWOKlieb306RSgeAWRkeV3UgQV_hyphenhyphenSG2m4mu8-nvL_Kdjhy_GXKxiWYP7NYuO9yeOvpoETuaup-UenAscWRZ31x37HTZO49JTVKD6FZYHQ/s640/WP_20150601_19_19_23_Pro.jpg) |
Dinner Part 1 |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhLSrvH-nH4QzqDM1b-O8OsIPDaVTAl_gjpztMU4brYgyu42O4LjU_WwbfdskzqclrbG17P7eZqV8Pq-e48MjI3uPMKtvxyBLOCVnkI-El6g-AH0OTiKElJBN9HGu1Rn7Ul0tnc3s7hk/s640/WP_20150601_19_40_39_Pro.jpg) |
Part 2 |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJSsn5_JjV2JhVK2pFfIae3xZUiRYTMCKShvZa3LiSoA7pvC3Q0tCGsh3HC01gIOMCU4yTiD2RIZdSQKpQhWvFkZXCtIPdH-ZmQVL5uSgUceAyDaoxRqzUSlNe2CgxgiJE7FQadIOpfc/s640/WP_20150601_20_08_09_Pro.jpg) |
Part 3 |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mGEEKRfho2dPDb1E932qkFchsMjI9IDnbyATV4fFJYdCTuBTHg5nlJ54xx8-SHkUsOoBk8Nv6t9Cg9Ew9dqbAxr-JOtAaztyPt2QfbcdImO8jko7UOsA7Px2kmWc1nWltZUeljevojo/s640/WP_20150601_20_35_24_Pro.jpg) |
Part 4 - please! No more! |
There was little left to do but waddle off to bed, after pausing to admire another sunset.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXb9ijgDqmp3zXTIzSga6pcCCabRjcytGlwUAyxUg4g64RtFfEGFvDpDxuI99_ipHrVVKG_Bzg8k3rlHkihzJPeCB8Xskk_NgWeFNAm5sQWmRVlUGlvNdeqPkky0BeWZuBCpbUzDnGw4U/s640/35.jpg) |
Admirable sunset |
Tomorrow we reach Vienna.
Your tough life continues unabated.
ReplyDeleteLove ti all 😊