Day 6, maybe: To Trier!

Ah, cruising down the beautiful Mosel River valley: spent a great day in Cochem yesterday, with a bus excursion to Eideger. The castle at Cochem is very cool, neat little town, and it's wonderful to be here again. On the way back to the bus we stopped into a little mustard mill, very old, and bought some German Senft. Goes great with Bratwurst! (more about this later...)
The side trip to Eideger was very interesting as well. We took a bus to the small village about 20" away, were met by the Burgermeister, he gave a little talk of welcome, then we trooped in a procession to an ancient little church and we had a little concert! He was in medieval attire, had the "keys", and it was really fun. We also had an official wein probe at a local winery, and the wines we sampled were soooo good. So, we bought 2 boxes; one for Gerlinde when we see her, and one we hope to get home somehow.
When we got back to the barge, Susan volunteered to go help another couple buy some mustard at the mill that was close by, as above. Of course by the time they got back they had missed the boat and we had left the dock. Well, timing is crucial on the Mosell because of the locks, and so we had to get going. After a conversation and some pleading with a French captain on another barge that was tied up a bit upstream, he agreed to let the threesome board that vessel, cross to ours as we tied up alongside. After the proper maneuvering the miscreants got boarded much to the amusement to our fellow passengers. Susan had the fortitude to apologize to the Captain, and the Cruise director; they were very gracious and no harm done "this time". The incident served as pretty funny conversation last evening and this am though.
I see we have a travel advisory for Americans in Europe for possible terrorist attacks. I really feel we are fine here in the Huhnsruck, but as we travel down toward the bigger cities we'll just have to see. My erstwhile friends back in Tucson it seems have already divided up the pick-up, sold the plane, and are working on selling the ranch. No one seems to want the midget cows or my golf clubs. Haven't mentioned Auti yet either come to think of it.
Today we did walk into Trier; did you know it is the oldest city in Germany? Did you know the cathedral there dates from the 3rd century? Did you know they can make the best chocolate sundae there in the world? OK, maybe you don't know all that, but they can. Had another wonderful and informative lecture/tour, we're all back on the barge : where's Susan? Oh well, sure she's around here someplace!
Tonight we sail for Luxembourg, see the American cemetery and pay homage to General Patton, then turn around, head north, and stop at Berkastel-Kues. I hear we get to spend some time in Traben-Trabach as well. That's great news for me since that's one of my old haunts for wein-probes in the olden days.
Had a nice little break in the day and discussed the world's islamic problems w a couple of Canadians and a guy from Holland. The Canadians are pretty much in agreement w the American view, the Holland guy kind of said how tolerant they are in Holland and then wrung his hands a lot; too bad about the writer and the film director who were murdered for insulting their mohammed. Was a fun discussion.
Going to have another wine, then more food, then take a nap...more tomorrow I bet.Love DAD