Well, our planned walk had been executed almost perfectly. The weather was with us and it was a varied walk with something interesting always going on. There were no issues around accommodation and meals and the tightly knit group held together well.
Now by the morning after, we were going our separate ways again and enjoying a few conversations about doing another one next year. A few places are already under active discussion.
The first of the remaining 7 members left around 8 am after breakfast for a few days in Germany and another 3 followed several hours later heading back towards Frankfurt and then the airport and home.
That left 3 to bring up the tail. I had always planned to take a midday ferry ride further downstream to Koblenz for a bit of sightseeing. The other two also had a couple of days left and they decided to come to Koblenz with me and then take a day trip to Cologne to complete the trip.
To fill in time, in the morning we climbed up out of Braubach to the Marksburg castle above the town. This is apparently the only Rhine castle never to be destroyed at some time and therefore interesting to visit. We were a tad disappointed to find it all locked up so we decided to take a coffee and at least enjoy the fine view over the Rhine.
The quiet was then interrupted as we were inundated with a Viking Line group tour - mostly Americans. Just as were were heading for the track back down, a number of tour leaders with the inevitable paddle pop batons were observed hovering close by the entry gate to the castle itself. Being the slow one of the three, I found myself heading towards the castle entrance just as the door was being locked - my two mates were now inside the castle as part of Viking tour group 1.
Not to be denied, I soon joined up with group 2 as they entered through the castle door. I had the big camera with me and sporting my US Open Tennis 2003 cap, I was almost invisible and soon locked inside the castle with my new, older, US friends.
A short while later, I spotted my two mates as they had had enough and were leaving their group to look for the way out. But I stuck with my new friends as we listened to the talk and made our way deeper into the castle. Then I realised that time was running out and I also needed out. I left to join up with the group 1 paddle pop just as they finished their tour and were heading for the exit. Out through the unlocked door I shot looking to find the footway back to town. I had just enough time to find my mates, get my bags and head for the Rhine and my ferry. Then it was off to Koblenz.
In Koblenz, we had lunch in the old town and after checking into our hotels we took the cable car over the Rhine and up to the old fortress. We spent the rest of the afternoon there.
After our evening meal we went our own ways. The other two were planning to go on to Cologne for the day whilst I had always planned on seeing a bit more of Koblenz.
In any event the trip was now almost over and things are returning to normal. This has been the best walking trip so far in some ways and I have made some great friends who share similar ideals.
Time to call it a day for this blog and drop into another reality. Rheinsteig hiking has been a fine experience.
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