Strasbourg

Strasbourg

Internet is more miss than hit at the moment so I am trying something new

(for me) – uploading via email. I think I may have to add photos later.

We had an excellent few days in Strasbourg made even more enjoyable by the arrival of Libby and Brian. As in previous years, they managed to time their visit to coincide with a local 'spectacle'. This year it was the sound, light and water show at the old port and it was so good that I went 2 nights in a row. Much more exciting and inventive than the usual firework display. Brian took a video, a clip of which I will attempt to upload once we have a decent connection. The show runs every night for most of the summer.

 Being one of the capitals of the European Union possibly means that money is not in quite as short supply as elsewhere.

European Parliament

The city is cosmopolitan and whilst you may very well find your waiter supercilious or even downright rude he will be able to be so in whatever language you happen to speak. It is easy to get around; the historic centre is pedestrianised, there are boat trips around the river and canals and there is a great modern tram system which is efficient, doesn't get in the way of the other traffic and, most importantly for the tourist, it is perfectly simple to buy a ticket at any stop from multi-lingual dispensers  (please note, Melbourne and Edinburgh).

The Old Town is dominated by the magnificent Cathedrale Notre Dame which dates back to the 11^th century and took hundreds of years to build. Inside there is an astronomical clock which does its thing at 12.30 each day – death srtikes the time and then a procession of the disciples walks past Jesus whilst a cock crows 3 times. It is such a grand and elaborate structure and there was such a big crowd of tourists that I somehow expected more bells and whistles. A man next to me told me that the maker of the clock had his eyes put out after he completed it so that he would never be able to make another but I think that's probably (hopefully) a myth.

Strasbourg is much like Colmar, only bigger. There are beautiful half timbered buildings and the lovely tanners' quarter is called Petite France (in Colmar it was Petite Venice).

We moored in the Bassin de l'hopital at the nautical club which was most welcoming and very convenient for the town – the only drawback is that you have to moor stern on which can be tricky when it's windy.

From Strasbourg we head to Saverne on the canal de la Marne au Rhine. It's cloudy and wet which apparently is due to the Jet Stream being too far south. No, I don't know why.