Author: Rosie

The stone buildings are looking a little dumpier and squatter and the gables on the roof are curlier and rounder with steep pitched roofs.  The first half timbered houses are starting to appear as well.   Everything is getting more charming and pretty and we havent even hit the best part of the Rhine proper.

It felt the best being in the open air, it was warm, the sun was shining on us and there was not a breath of wind, it was so quiet, all you could hear was the birds singing in the trees, it was such a great feeling soaring free above the view.  The Operator told me to stop wriggling around with my camera, so Rosie sat back and enjoyed the ride, all 20 mins of it to the top. 

The Rhine has captivated Rosie, I must be, I am standing in the rain. There’s a rhythm to the mighty river that merges with its environment: black slate cut from plains above, terraced vineyards zigzagging up hills, husks of ruined castles, and squat spires of stone churches and towers rising up through townscapes.
 

This region along the river is heavily planted with grapevines, predominately Reisling for which the area is famous for, the huge 38 metre tall Germania Statue stares down at us from the hillside between the vines, a tribute to the re establishment of the German empire after the Franco Prussian wars.

Every corner and every turn in this town is beautiful and on show, yet has a real feeling.  Amongst the hotels, cafes and crowds of wandering tourists are post offices, hairdressers, real estate agents, bakeries, butchers and everyday shops.  Real houses line the streets with real people who get up everyday and go to school or catch a train to work somewhere.