Yesterday morning we docked in Durnstein, it is a beautiful little city that has only 1000 inhabitants. We were in the gentle walkers group, which meant we had another trip in a mini train. The mini train is great for both grandma and myself, it means she gets shaken around less and I can conserve my pushing energy! In Durnstein we also had wine and chocolate taste testing. I liked the chocolate much more than the wine. Grandad is getting a range of older ladies to hold his hand as he walks along the cobblestone paths. If he wasn't with grandma I am sure he could pick up.
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| On the toy train in Durnstien |
Grandma and grandad were both exhausted after our morning tour of durnstien. So they had an afternoon nap and I had a second and more successful attempt at bike riding. 17 passengers, 2 crew members and 2 tour guides cycled 32 km from Durnstein to Melk. We passed through beautiful scenery! However there were really strong winds coming towards us as we cycled ( I think they are called head winds). Chopper said that normally the wind measures at about 2 when we were cycling it was at 9. It was a challenge, cause even in the flat parts we had to cycle really hard to ensure we were moving forward. As we passed a pub an old guy was laughing and pointing to the opposite direction indicating that it would be easier to cycle with the wind.
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| Getting ready to start out on my bike ride! |
At Melk grandma did not come to the abbey but grandad did. With a couple of other people we had a taxi ride as it took us closer to the abbey. Chopper went off to organize the tickets, as the rest of the passangers were in front of us. He said he would be back to pay the taxi driver. The driver obviously did not believe him and held us hostage until chopper returned! Lol! Grandad did not really like Melk abbey as it was very cold and windy. Here is our conversation as we were approaching the abbey:
Maria: it is very pretty isnt it?
Grandad: I have been here before
M: have you? When?
G: yesterday
M: hahahaha, we were at the palace yesterday (which was also big and yellow in colour)
G: no no no we were here
M: hahaha grandad you crack me!
Grandad has invented a game of trying to hit people's ankles with his walking stick...luckily he hasn't been too successful.
The evening entertainment was 'the sound of austria' if you liked the sound of music you were told not to miss it. Well it turned out to be to OPERA (not oprah) singers. I only lasted five minutes!
Today we had a quiet day. There were three choices: a trip to Salzburg, a trip to the check republic or cruising in the boat. The grandrentals chose the last option. I had time to teach grandma how to use their new iPad. She managed to send so emails and we had a Skype call with mum and dad on my iPad. Teching grandad will be harder work.
In the afternoon we arrived at Passu. Grandma and grandad were resting so I went off by myself. I ditched the walking tour as I could not face any more churches or slow walking and went off by myself. I caused a lady to giggle- there was an ATM in a bank foyer behind some glass doors. I saw a lady exit so I knew it was open and there was another lady inside. I walked up to the doors expecting them to open, but they didn't so I walked back a couple of steps and tried again. Still they did not open. So I tried again. I must have tried about six times, I tried jumping and waving too but nothing worked. The lady inside stopped laughing and showed me that you have to press a button to open it.... Whoops! I also went shopping and brought some shoes- score!
Today was the grandrentals 61st wedding anniversary and the waiter overheard me congratulating them. When they brought out our dessert (apple strudle) they had sparklers in it and were singing 'happy anniversary'. The grandrentals were quite chuffed. A passenger asked grandad what was it like being married to grandma, grandad replied 'Hard!'.
During dinner grandad noticed something funny about three of the men sitting near us they were all 'baldy head men'. Grandad thought that was so funny he was laughing uncontrollably. All one of us had to do for the next half an hour was mention 'baldy head men' and we would both laugh so hard we cried! What makes it even funnier is grandad is not that far off being considered a 'baldy head man' himself.
The water level is quite high at the moment and the crew are worried we might not fit under a bridge tommorrow so cross your fingers for us!
