10/5/14 Koblenz to Marksburg Castle to sailing along the Middle Rhine

It is a bit cloudy today, but we hope it doesn't rain as some of the most beautiful scenery is supposed to be on this part of the Middle Rhine River.  After breakfast, Dave, Susanne and I took a walk in the park across from the ship.  Susanne eventually went back to the ship while Dave and I walked on into town.  Koblenz is quite charming: lots of tudor style buildings, etc.  A funny thing happened - as we were strolling, we passed an antique shope and in the window was a (fake, I'm sure as the price was only 46 euros) walrus tuck scrimshaw and engraved in the center was the Charles W. Morgan, New Bedford!  We stumbled upon a church yard on the way back to the ship and the gardens were magnificent!  They had wonderful flower arrangements woven into a variety of grape vine shapes.  Shortly after coming back we boarded a bus for a short ride to Marksburg Castle.  This was a medieval castle - the only one in Germany that was not destroyed over the years by the enemy.  We had a great tour through the castle and even got to visit the armory and the torture rooms.  We rejoined the ship in Brauback (the ship sailed while we were enjoying the castle).  We had lunch on the fantail so we could enjoy the scenery while we ate.  I have just come in as it is getting cold outside, but I am sittling in a small reception area where I can see out to both sides of the ship.  We have passed many vineyards on the slopes of the hills and are now at Boppard - a seaside village with many old hotels along the waterfront.  I am going to brave the outside again so will get back to the blog a bit later.