Day 15 - Monday 26 Sept Cologne  24 degrees          

This morning we cruise through the 2000 year old town of Koblenz, and we experience beautiful scenery as we make our way to Cologne. On arrival we have a tour around the city and the magnificent cathedral. An unbelievable sight but no sense of reverence inside. Claimed tomb of the Maggi. Back on board for lunch and we listen to the Brownlow count. Attend the disembarkation talk – very sad. Tonight is the captains farewell dinner and crew entertainment.  Have to think about packing – very sad.  Have some late afternoon drinks in the Johnstone's cabin and then off to pack. The crew entertainment performance was OK, but the highlight of the evening, maybe the whole trip, was the debut of "The Curtain"!  Tomorrow we arrive in Amsterdam.

Day 14 - Sunday 25 Sept Rhine Gorge – Rudesheim  26 degrees     

Early this morning we entered the Rhine river. We have an excursion in Rudesheim this morning, the last of the small towns. We board the Winzerexprees  a choo choo train ride into the city and then a tour of Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instruments.  An absolutely fascinating place that has all manner of mechanical musical instruments. We then have a cable car ride up to the 125 foot Niederwal Monument and a winery, for spectacular views back down over the river and city.   Another spectacular day. Sunshine and clear skies. 

Back on board we continue sailing along the Rhine through the magnificent Rhine Gorge. Castle after Castle as we sip our wine on the sundeck. We sail past Lorelei, the legendary rock from which the siren lured men to their doom. For dinner we are taken to Marksburg castle a 12th century castle set high above the banks of the Rhine.  The only intact castle on the Rhine. We have a tour of the castle and then a medieval feast with wonderful entertainment and get back on board around 10 pm.