We rebelled today - and gave the Abbey of Melk a miss. Reading, knitting and blogging filled in the morning admirably with a bit of activity watching the crew tending the boat:
After the Abbeyists (large, with a private school for 900 children in part of it) returned we set off for Durnstein, past little villages nestled on the river bank with vineyards at their backs,
through to Durnstein where we are to meet the intrepid passengers who set off from Melk on bicycles 3 hours ago.
What an incredible Wedgwood-blue tower and amazing ruined castle at the top of the hill.
When we walked into the village we discovered the blue tower is a church and the ruined castle is just that, having been built in the 11th century and housing Richard the Lion Heart when he was imprisoned by Hadmar I.
My favourite shot of the day.
Hadmar I apologising for his wickedness in locking up Richard, a fellow-crusader.
The main and only street wanders about (why were medieval streets crooked?) and contain many shops selling things apricot. When the vines were hit by phylloxera in the late 19th century, farmers turned to apricots instead and now have a thriving business in apricot wine, liqueur, schnapps, syrup, hand cream, body lotion etc and a strange concoction called "Drunken Apricot" for 2.5 Euros which is dipped out of a barrel and drunk. We had an apricot ice instead.
The group had Happy Hour at a local wine pub, having been warned not to ask for beer.
The grapes aren't ripe yet.
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