Durnstein and then Melk Updated

We set sail around midnight.  On our way to Durnstein.  We were here the last cruise but I did not go into the city.  We might still do it on our own.

Breakfast again with Marilyn and Lillian.  Not many people get up early on this leg.  We always open the dining room.  We sent laundry out as this is the last day to do that, I think.

When we get back to the cabin, sometimes we find little animals waiting for us.

 Some of the sites along the Danube River.

We decided to walk toward the Church.  This is the Stiftskirche, Durnstein's famed church cloister tower, considered one of the most beautiful of its kind in all of Austria.

The tower as seen from the river.

To get into the old town you must climb up or walk up from the river.

The castle where Richard the Lionheart, King of England was once imprisoned at the castle which is now in ruins.  This was in 1192.

We continued our walk through the shopping district and stopped to sample some of the schnapps.

Just part of our walk.

These are some of the walls that used to surround the town.

 Bob called this a may pole.  I am not quite sure what is really is.  Looks like a Christmas tree on the top.

We returned to the ship and of course, our laundry was already back in the cabin.  There was an early lunch.  We sat with Bob and Brenda and John and Trink.  Then back to the cabin for our nap.

We sailed through the Wachau Valley and I woke up in time to capture some castles along the way.  We docked in Melk and I decided not to walk into town.  I did 45 minutes of water exercises and Bob went into the town.

These were two of the castles along the route that I was able to capture.

I will try and find out the names of these two if I can.

They are doing some renovating of the outside of the castle.

I thought this looked like a Heidi home.

While Bob went for his walk, I decided to do some water exercises.  I had the pool to myself.  Did about 45 minutes.

The Abbey in Melk, which we visited last time, dominates the city.

You can see how high up it is from this view.

Bob visited St. Polten Church.  He said it was very dark inside but his camera makes it look like it was bright.

He continued his walk and came across this car.

Views of the town.

Just a pretty group of flowers.

Lots of shops and cafes.

The streets are pretty but hard on your legs after awhile.

This last picture shows the different levels of the flood waters over the years.

Bob got back from his walk and we had a cocktail on the balcony and watched the passengers return from the Abbey tour.

They had a trio play before dinner.  But we have heard this trio now three times.  So we listened to then over the TV.  Dinner was with John, Trink, Bob and Brenda.  But we did not start dinner until 8pm because of the entertainment.  So we were the last table to leave.  Just good conversation.  Desserts were in the lounge but we skipped it.  We do not need more food.

Back to the cabin to read and lights out.

I will publish this now and add the rest of the pictures at a later time as Bob has not finished with them.