We began the morning with some ‘light’ stretching in the lounge with Petra who certainly wasn’t expecting the turnout of about 15 people. Gaz and I decided we would try it out. Petra doubles with her husband Dani (and yes it’s spelt that way), as the singing duo in the evenings onboard.

After that we had until 4pm to take in the scenery while making our way down through Cologne and onto Remagan.

Sight seeing on the top deck was in order. It was bitterly cold up there – at 6 degrees the sun was shining but it felt like 2. The sights were stunning, old mixing with new and quite a lot of churches.

At 10am the group headed to the lounge for a game of trivia. I had something more important to do. The hairdresser. After a 20 minute hair wash and head massage then a blow wave and a 10 minute neck and shoulder massage, I was feeling pretty cruisy and glam. Best hair wash I’ve ever had. Apparently trivia was fun but tricky with the group coming in about 5th. I may be surmising that, they had 25 and 2nd was 28. I am sure next time I will be available to bring my vast knowledge gained via The Chase to a winning score. Not.

At 4pm we disembarked into four large buses and a mini bus to take in Burg Namedy, the home and castle of Princess Heide van Hohensollern. It’s a late gothic moated castle (middle of 15th century) originally belonging to the Husman Knights of Andernach.

We arrived to glasses of champagne and canapés. Yes more food. Along with a really lovely welcoming speech from Princess Heide who invited us to explore her home, read the books, look at the photo albums, sit where we wanted and just basically enjoy the ambience. What an absolutely gracious and charming woman. We had a chat to her at the end. MoD had discovered a stained glass window of the Patron Saint of Miners – Santa Barbara. Turns out her grandfather was a miner. My more interesting discussion (of course because it was what I was interested in) was about the ‘spirit’ of the castle. A young girl of about 6.

There are a lot of steeply placed vineyards here – the one near the castle was almost vertical on the side of the hill. I didn’t get a photo 😜

When we got back to the boat which was now in Andernach, we had a little wander around town. Took in the Rhine Gate, formerly called the (Kornpforte) Corn Gate which was built around 1200 and served as the main access to the banks of the Rhine. The two Roman tufa figures on the inside of the gate represent two symbolic gatekeepers known as the ‘baker boys’.

Also The Bastion, built around 1651 originally as a customs post to control shipping, but now serving as a memorial for both World Wars.

At 6pm we all headed back for tomorrow’s briefing before we met at the fancy onboard restaurant for a magnificent meal.

It’s a small restaurant seating about 36 but with a big table in the middle for 8. Convenient. We were welcomed and introduced to our serving staff, head waiter and chef. The serving staff were all synchronised ensuring everyone received their meal at exactly the same time, the head waiter and serving staff surrounded our table, when all ready, a quick nod to each other and then the placing of our plates at the same time. The wine was paired with the food of course and those with special requirements were treated just a little bit special. Like me. With my current pescatarian trial.

The food was spectacular and whilst we did not get photos of all the courses, here are some to tempt your tastebuds.

After dinner it was time for a trip to the lounge to support our local musicians Petra and Dani. 50’s and 60’s music. You have to work to your audience. So that says a lot.

Rob and Sally from Mornington sat with us, both being a wealth of music knowledge. Rob is 75 but looks about 65ish, however when he started telling us the concerts he saw in the 70’s we couldn’t help pointing out our ages at the time. ‘God Rob, I was only 10’. In about 10-13 years we hope to be as fit and active and engaged as he is…..

There was some singing. Of course. Some dancing. Naturally. Some more Pina Collada and then a late night. At least 11.30pm.

Tomorrow the alarm will not be on and we may get a sleep in.

We don’t arrive at Rudesheim until lunch time although I am told the sights along the Rhine will be worth getting up early for.

Good night loyal followers.