This morning was scenic cruising as we were not expected to reach Miltenberg until 2pm, where we would have a 2 hr walking tour of the town. This suited me fine as the sore throat had gone but the runny nose and chesty cough has not so a morning in bed watching the scenery was much appreciated.
Miltenberg is notable for the many beautifully preserved half-timbered houses that line its streets. The buildings span the 15 and 17 centuries and naturally is overlooked by an impressive castle and town walls.
We arrived early (this is always a possibility as timings depend on how long you spend in the locks) and after printing off legal documents that had to be posted back to Australia we set off to find the postoffice with the hope that we could be back in time for the 2pm walk. We did find the post office but unfortunately it was closed from 12 - 2pm (these Europeans like their long lunches). We walked around some of the newer and less interesting parts of the town until the post office opened, by which time we had missed the guided tour.
We wandered back down the Main Street admiring the architecture and many shops until we got to the main square where we detoured off and up to the castle. Many steps later we reached the top and had a spectacular view over the town and river. We made our way down, which was a bit more treacherous as the cobblestones were a bit slippery due to grass growing between them. We managed to walk at quiet a pace for over 2 hours and we are both feeling it as the cobblestones really tired out your feet and legs.
Back on the boat and we had a local lady (Brigitte) come on board to show us how to make Vanillkipferl, vanilla and almond little crescent shaped biscuits. Brigitte was quite entertaining with stories of local life within the villages and nunnery (she left the nunnery before she took her final vows).
Now back in our room to get ready for dinner which will be another spectacular one as a local Chef has come on board to cook local cuisine. The woodlands and forests in this region mean that game dishes are a speciality like wild boar, venison and hare which are served with red cabbage and cooked with apple and dumplings made from potatoes. I'm hoping they forget about the other speciality of dumplings made of semolina with minced liver. Yuck!
No doubt the meal will be served with copious amounts of wine again - life is really hard....
Miltenberg is notable for the many beautifully preserved half-timbered houses that line its streets. The buildings span the 15 and 17 centuries and naturally is overlooked by an impressive castle and town walls.
We arrived early (this is always a possibility as timings depend on how long you spend in the locks) and after printing off legal documents that had to be posted back to Australia we set off to find the postoffice with the hope that we could be back in time for the 2pm walk. We did find the post office but unfortunately it was closed from 12 - 2pm (these Europeans like their long lunches). We walked around some of the newer and less interesting parts of the town until the post office opened, by which time we had missed the guided tour.
We wandered back down the Main Street admiring the architecture and many shops until we got to the main square where we detoured off and up to the castle. Many steps later we reached the top and had a spectacular view over the town and river. We made our way down, which was a bit more treacherous as the cobblestones were a bit slippery due to grass growing between them. We managed to walk at quiet a pace for over 2 hours and we are both feeling it as the cobblestones really tired out your feet and legs.
Back on the boat and we had a local lady (Brigitte) come on board to show us how to make Vanillkipferl, vanilla and almond little crescent shaped biscuits. Brigitte was quite entertaining with stories of local life within the villages and nunnery (she left the nunnery before she took her final vows).
Now back in our room to get ready for dinner which will be another spectacular one as a local Chef has come on board to cook local cuisine. The woodlands and forests in this region mean that game dishes are a speciality like wild boar, venison and hare which are served with red cabbage and cooked with apple and dumplings made from potatoes. I'm hoping they forget about the other speciality of dumplings made of semolina with minced liver. Yuck!
No doubt the meal will be served with copious amounts of wine again - life is really hard....
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