I have been back for almost two weeks now and realised that I still haven’t posted the final instalment of my Danube adventure. Since I got back I have been somewhat distracted with medical stuff and the shambolic situation of the management here at Flete House (home).

We docked on the outskirts of Vienna and were taken on a coach tour which deposited us in the City centre and some “free time” to explore.

The Christmas market was already surrounding the cathedral but I headed inside to explore its gobsmacking interior

Went down into the catacombs (no photos I’m afraid) – lots of bones, sarcophagus’s and urns jars full of organs and entrails. An essential component of the embalming process apparently.

Up to the gallery at the top of one of the spires with great views over the city

Then a long walk around the surrounding area – lots of spectacular buildings and baroque churches. I had forgotten what an amazing city Vienna was and even made a pilgrimage to the Sacher hotel (home of the famous Sachertorte) for the best and most expensive chocolate cake in the world.

A visit to Palace Lichtenstein for a private performance of Strauss & Mozart’s greatest hits.

Off to the Schönbrunner Palace the next morning for full baroque OTT immersion before heading back to the ship and setting off for Budapest

Budapest

Headed downstream to Budapest where we moored just next to the Chain Bridge. I opted to do the walking/hiking excursion which entailed us being dropped off at the square below Buda Hill. Large Cathedral which it being Sunday was not open for tourists. Many of the old ruined buildings were being rebuilt at huge expense. Not popular with the locals who think that the money could be better spent elsewhere !!

We then hiked up to the top of the hill and spectacular views down over the city. Down that hill and up the next with views down to the river and the Chain Bridge.

Budapest has some fabulous buildings but still carries the shadow of having been under communist rule until 1989/90. The current Prime Minister – Victor Orban – who is not too popular and one of the main reasons that Hungary is still not in the EU is building himself a new palace complex.

Hiked down the hill and past one of the Thermal Baths that are numerous and extremely popular in Budapest. Some of my fellow travellers opted for baths rather than hike. Very sumptuous apparently!!

Back to the ship and lunch after which I went for a long walk across the bridge to Pest which is definitely the poor relative of Buda. A “last supper” then a night time cruise past the splendid parliament building and back to our mooring. I should mention that the temperature although sunny (at last!) had dropped to minus 3 by the time we huddled in duvets on the deck.

Turfed off the ship at dawn as is their wont. They have a whole new bunch other passengers arriving at noon for the trip back to Amsterdam. British Airways performed reasonably well until they landed at Heathrow and taxied across to Terminal 3 when I and my car were expecting Terminal 5!! Major sense of humour failure – best laid plans and all that…….

Made it back to Flete by about 8 pm. Collected Max the following afternoon. A very happy chap as was I. Complete managerial carnage here. But that’s a story for another day…….

Some people seem to have dropped off my follower list. So if any of you get to end of this adventure please send me a comment so that I know that you are still there.

Until the next one…… Nothing planned yet as I need to get my medical shit sorted out. However I intend to head south and sunshine in the new year.

Meanwhile the world is in a right old mess and seems hellbent on self destruction !!!

R xx