Leaving Austria heading for the North Sea

Transcription

1 Leaving Austria heading for the North Sea Already during the years of restauration we did favor the idea to start our journey right from our hometown. Soon we did form the plan to use the rivers and waterways of Germany to reach the North Sea. But before we could leave, we did live one year on board at the riverbanks of the Danube. Wintering on the Danube

2 Spring We are ready: after a nice farewell party we are good to go! Last look onto our Danube harbor: the Via-Donau Hafen in Landshaag, Upperaustria The masts have to go lashed down on deck...

3 The spring did not fully arrive now: the riverbanks do still shine in a mix out of braun and green. Alte Gebäude entlang der Ufer Old building along the Danube We leave the last Austrian looks behind us!

4 Engelharzzell, a pretty Austrian town. We reach Passau, Gernamy...where we have to wait. The locks of Kachlet are closed for two days to make some repairs. We enjoy the pretty Bavarian town and anchor behind a dutch ship.

5 The locks are repaired and we are ready to go on. The river is getting shallow at Vilshofen - and the stream gets stronger. Many boats do take a lift through this area to safe some Diesel and make a save passage through this pretty area. Here the riverbanks are getting flat, lined with beautiful trees and sandy beaches. Many people come here to enjoy the warm sun of the spring.

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7 We have to pass through many locks. But the Danube locks are easy and many times we do not have more work than hold on to some ropes...

8 German sheperd

9 We reach Walhalla. What a strange building here in Bavaria. It looks like it comes straight from Rome! We take the opportunity to anchor out in the river and take a hike up the hills.

10 Leaving the river: Reaching the Main-Donau Canal! a land like in a fairytale: rolling hills with beautiful castel and ruins!

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12 The new locks of the Donau-MainCanal are big and the rush of the water while transiting is not easy to handle! We pass old locks from the previous Ludwig Canal Waiting for the transit

13 Spending the afternoon at another lock...to take the bikes and explore the beautiful area.

14 Many German towns look like from the middle age: with castles, old walls and statues.

15 Bamberg: we did reach the Main.

16 Slowly we make our passage through the vinery area of Germany. And we are not alone: the traffic on the water is getting more, since there are many cruise ships going through this area. Art-ship in Würzburg

17 enjoying the pretty town of Würzburg

18 Fog hanging over the hills, filled with vine gardens

19 along the riverbanks of the Main

20 easy going on the Main: the locks do lift us only a few Meters Interesting architecture along the river...

21 Mildenburg: a beautyful town..where we can tie up for free on the town dock.

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23 Shipping on the Main

24 Anleger am Park kurz vor Frankfurt

25 Frankfurt / Main

26 We pass Frankfurt, the weather is not good enough to enjoy the city.

27 Reaching the Rhein Here the river is getting bigger and the banks are filled with ancient buildings and rich homes.

28 More and more we meet other sailing vessels and people working on their dreams.

29 We do not get an easy passage on the Rhein. While working our way through the mountain-area of the river, we hit ground hard! The heavy stream dose take us over the rocks until we cant help ourself anymore. A shallow draft ferry comes to tow as back of the rocks. We are thankful to have such a strong steel hull and manage to get off without damage!

30 Hiking ofer the hills to meet the Loreley: Germans beautyful river nixe. Acording to the tails her beauty is fault of may sunken boats!

31 The area around the Loreley is great, but the heavy traffic on the river and on shore makes us happy to leave again!

32 Reaching the German Corner and getting close to some big German cities

33 La Belle Epoque tied up at the yacht club of Düsseldorf. Where we meet friendly folk and spend a night at the club boat to party. The old harbor of Düsseldorf is no a art deco district.

34 Glad to leave the Rhein behind us we take a turn into some German waterways: the Rhein-Herme Kanal and the Dortmund Ems Kanal

35 Boat lift....and water bridge.

36 Easy living along the waterways: red farmbuildings and quiet places to chill out.

37 Rivertraffic

38 Little German towns along the waterways

39 Heading for our last waterway to reach the river Weser: the Küstenkanal

40 Done it! We reach the Weser and getting ready to sail the North Sea!