Rhine Cruise Day Five

Zulpilka, our personal butler, arrived with our morning coffee and muffins, and I was ready with my camera this morning! What a charming chap he is. He's not married, but looks after his aging mum and younger brother in Indonesia. He's always smiling and loves his job, though he will work right through till November.

We were berthed in Rudesheim, and this morning we were taken on the little train into the town. We visited Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Cabinetmuseum - an old house full of amazing musical instruments using the first programming (can't do links on the iPad). It was very well organised for moving crowds through the small rooms, with staff in fancy dress. This one in the photo played an old recording of Doris Day, though that was the most modern...

We then waltzed past the queues for a super cable car ride up the mountain - just had to flash our cruise name tags. At the top was a huge monument to the unification of Germany, and wonderful views over the whole valley.

We then had a wander through the pretty wee town, had an apfel strudel and wandered back along the river to the boat. We did not indulge in the local drink, which was a lethal mixture of coffee, liqueurs and cream.

When we got back, the staff had set up for the promised barbecue on the sun deck. And what a barbecue it was! Even the Aussies were impressed, although there were no prawns ... And that's because it's a seafood buffet tonight!

We set sail about 3pm, after the BBQ was cleared away. We stayed on the sun deck for an hour or so, enjoying the company and the drinks. Several times we were set to leave to possibly have a lie down, but each time my good resolve was thwarted and another beer/prosecco was forced on me...

A quick spruce up is now required, and we're off to the seafood buffet, followed by, for those still standing, a disco... Discos normally don't entice me - quite the opposite - but there are a few amusing folk who say they'll be going, for sure.

We'll see...