25, 26 September 2024
On Wednesday morning while cruising down the Main Danube Canal we listened to a very interesting presentation about the construction of this canal which links the North Sea with the Black Sea. Completed in 1992 it is 171 kms long and allows cruise ships such as ours to cross the European watershed.
In the afternoon we headed off for a tour of the Nuremberg rally grounds. We had an excellent guide who explained how Hitler had grand plans for 11 sq km of buildings and grounds to hold his party congresses and speak to the party. She said it took until the 1960s before Germans started to address the past and the rally grounds serve as a memorial to the victims of Nazi repression.
Before wandering the city itself we saw the courthouse where the Nuremberg trials were held. Nuremberg was chosen as it was the only town with a large enough courthouse still standing with a jail next door.
After another overnight sail, we awoke Thursday in Bamberg, where the canal joins the Main river. A city walk allowed us to admire this UNESCO heritage site with its many beautiful old buildings and houses.
After lunch Warren listened to another talk, this time about the formation of the European Union before we both tried our hand, unsuccessfully, at a Cornhole tournament. Some of the Americans on board play this game regularly and won the competition.