Day 50 - Bernkastel

There are 4 buses which follow our Scenic Jade along the waterways.  These are then available for our excursions to various venue choices.  

The vines grown on slopes produce the best grapes, because the maximum angle of sunshine on flat ground at the summer solstice is 67 degrees.  On the slopes, this angle is increased to 90 degrees.

We are moored at a nice town called Bernkastel on the Moselle River, where we arrived yesterday afternoon.

Today a bus took us to Luxembourg for a guided walking tour.  It was 28C degrees with a bright blue sky.  Luxembourg is a tiny country where French is spoken and written.  Wages have been pegged to inflation, so they may eventually price themselves out of international finance markets.

They built a customs checkpoint just prior to the abandonment of boundaries.  So the checkpoint was never used and a petrol station was immediately built by the Luxembourg people to capture the German market as petrol is 25% cheaper in Luxembourg and now they are raking in the money!!!

This evening we are having a BBQ for dinner on the top open-air deck, followed by dancing in the lounge.

Luxembourg old town is a fascinating site built around steep limestone valleys.  It has many levels on which homes and businesses have been built.  The new part of town is impressive with buildings being constructed in all directions.  

Part of the old fortress wall and the small creek wandering through this old town.

Churches and newly renovated buildings in the old town of Luxembourg 

Brian and Ann running late and rushing to catch the bus, after coffee and crepes.

Many roads built high above the ravines.

This view of the Moselle Valley was amazing. Grape vines each side of the river and around the town of this world-renowned white wine producing area.

An idyllic setting for a painting or a movie.

Even the water skiers get a look in on a 34 degree day in the Moselle Valley.

All roads are sealed with bitumen and the vines tendered meticulously each day.  What an incredible setting.