Dieburg Rellies

We are staying with D's cousin at present which is nice for him. His nephew came over from Bad Soden, about 50km away to see him and with him we went out to a wine festival in a nearby village last night. Enjoyed our glasses of wine and pieces of schnitzel.
Today we went to mass which was at the local church, a pilgrimage church. There was a big group of former refugees there from what was Silesia and East Prussia who were on pilgrimage from the Mainz area. It was an open air mass at the back of the church in the church yard. The lime trees were losing their leaves and they were fluttering down and reminded me of tears. Dieter of course left his home land at the age of 5 and still remembers bits and pieces of that time and how they had to trudge through the snow with a laden pram plus 2 week old baby, Dieters sister Barbel.

Day in Worms

Nice day again today.Met old friends from Frankenthal,Ilse and Irene for lunch in Worms.We had liver dumplings, sauerkraut and mashed potato which were very filling and tasty.After a rest and a bit of a walk round town and to the cathedral went to a nice cafe for coffee and cake.I had plum tart with cream which was very nice.
Dieter has gone off to find the Liebfrauenkirche to take a photo of it and the churchyard near it where the original Liebfraumilch wine came from.

Germany

Had a lovely day with my cousin Gabi today.It was specially nice as her son Dominik, a doctor in Berlin was there too as was her brother Joachim and his wife Ellen who picked us up from the station. Went down to my aunt's grave and for a walk around the village. The grape harvest is in full swing and the grapes look lovely hanging on the vines. Ellen made a lovely chocolate and hazelnut cake which I will make again some time too. My aunt used to bake it too. Staying in a hotel in Worms nearby and will be meeting my friend Ilse here tomorrow. Being very restrained with my shopping and will do some only at the very end to save carting heavy baggage around.

Barcelona

Just been to the very colourful market for bread and fruit, not to mention nutty nougat and a type of figgy panforte. Had a tiring day yesterday walking for 8 hours but seeing the Gaudi work in progress the Sagrada Familia church - the interior will be finished after decades of work next year, the exterior in 2030. Went to the Picasso Museum too - a thrilling experience. Off to the Miro Museum now.

Mallorca

Enjoying a day in Mallorca - just been to the big cathedral with its Gaudi interior. Very warm here. This is our last day and we disembark in Barcelona tomorrow. Have thoroughly enjoyed shipboard life. Lots of lovely food and entertainment and nice people. Made some English friends.
Gibralter was basking in its national day with everybody dressed in red and white and milling around the very small downtown. Made our way through to the cable car up the rock of Gibralter and saw the famous cheeky Barbary apes, one of whom had snatched somebody´s bag of potato chips.

Viga in Spain

In Spain today - the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain and not here. It is 29 degrees and very warm. It is the siesta time so I am out with the mad dogs. The Spaniards are enjoying their paella and other seafood in open air cafes nearby. We are having a Spanish night on board tonight with seafood no doubt. I had my first swim on board today. Had the pool to myself so didnt feel too self conscious. Had a long walk this morning up narrow streets and lots of steps to an old fortress with wonderful views over the harbour. Not much to buy though there are a lot of fake Prado bags and other labels being sold on the footpath by African traders. Might succumb to and buy one.

Rouen

Joan of Arc territory today. There is a beautiful modern church here where we have just spent some time. Looks like an upturned boat, and has beautiful stained glass windows. Went to the Museum of Fine Arts this morning and saw some beautiful Monets one of the cathedral which dominates the inner city and some of the Seine which our boat sailed up to get to Rouen.