Walking the Narrow Streets of Rudesheim

A typical Rudesheim hotel

Steep narrow streets; Rudesheim ambiance

On leaving the amazing musical museum we had to decide whether to return to the river in the little train or on foot. I hoped that, despite the abundance of kitsch, I might find something worthwhile in a couple of shops and I still wanted to capture the ambience of Rudesheim on camera. David chose the train and I suspect that he might have tried some of the famous Rudesheimer coffee. Asbach – a special brandy – is poured into a mug and set on fire. Filled up with coffee which douses the flames, the concoction is then topped with whipped cream and chocolate flakes. I settled for a small box of brandy filled chocolates and a few more postcards, then couldn’t resist a silly sign that says VIP Parking Only. Unfortunately no-one will notice it on my driveway, so I’ll have to give it to someone who really is a VIP. One with a sense of humour of course.

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Rudesheim and Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum

AmaCello docked at Rudesheim

Sunday, May 31st we moored on the banks of the Rhine at Rudesheim.

Tower near the bridge where we docked

I have been to this town twice before, and although its famous narrow street, that rises up from the river, is terribly kitsch, I love it.

The famous narrow street of kitsch and Asbach coffee.

Cameras were even more essential than usual. The tourist train that pulled up in front of our ship was like something out of a children’s story book.

We all piled in, squashed into spaces which were only big enough for children, but the journey along the foreshore and up through narrow streets to the museum was fun. Not enough elbow space for photos, but I planned to walk back and capture the quaint buildings later.

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The Technical Museum of Speyer

Speyer Cathedral, completed in 1111 is the largest Romanesque church remaining in Europe.

The day that we went to Speyer, we were almost hit by a large plane as it flew over the bridge which took us into the town. The airport must be very close by as I later saw several planes flying in, equally low, over the river and the bridge. Our bus parked, amongst many others, below the town, with the largest and most important Romanesque building in Europe, completed in 1111 and dominating the skyline. (Thank goodness the planes stayed away from it’s medieval turrets) I wished I had booked for the city tour, but the technical museum sounded more interesting and I didn’t think I could manage both.

Zeppelin

Our guide pointed us in the direction of the museum and told us to return by 12.30pm for the return trip to the ship. An hour and a half seemed like plenty of time, until I walked into the main hall. My camera was busy trying to capture beautiful antique cars, aeroplanes hanging from the ceiling,steam engines, racing vehicles from early days to some of the latest models,

Full size steam engine

fire engines, motor bikes and even a space shuttle.

Our grandfather had a jaguar like this. He was so short and it was so hard to steer, he could barely drive it, but I loved the smell of the leather seats.

For racing fans

As I began my walk, I thought of my brother,

For you Rus

who was mad keen on motors (of any kind) and who could fix just about any of them. Remembering that he died last year, and could not see the photos I wanted to show him, caused a few tears, but hopefully his children will see them