Day 4 on Viking Tialfi
We moor at Speyer at 08:00 and 45 minutes later our guide leads us from the boat through a park, where paths are lined with huge chestnut trees in bloom, to the cathedral.
Our guide is not licensed by the bishop to take us inside but we have free time to so if we wish. We don't.
Outside the entrance is this enormous stone bowl - Domnapf. The custom, our local guide told us, is whenever a new bishop is installed he must fill the bowl with wine. The bowl’s capacity is 1560 litres, or 2080 bottles. In past times people were climbing over each other to get at the wine, with some falling in, but it’s more civilised now, An outlet has been made, and a tap is fitted and people queue for a glassful.
Then we have a short walk past the oldest houses, through mediaeval market squares and then free time.
In free time we take a walk along Speyer's main street. The boat left shortly after our walking tour started so we have to go by coach to Worms where the boat is waiting for us. Heading to the coach we saw this
The low flying Lufthansa jumbo jet is actually static in the technic museum and one can walk out on a wing.
On board in the afternoon we cruise to Rudesheim. On the way is a on-board demonstration of how to make the famous (?) Rudesheim Coffee, which adds brandy, chocolate, sugar and whipped cream to coffee. Cups of this are offered to everyone, but I drink my coffee black and unsweetened.
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