Just in case…

…you think that the Rhine valley is nothing but rolling vineyards, fairytale castles, pretty villages and Gothic churches, it is also the industrial powerhouse of Germany. In many ways I find the industrial architecture as interesting as the tourist sights.

There is no denying the scale, power and magnificence of Speyer Cathedral seen in the background of the extra. It houses the imperial tombs of the German kings and Roman emperors from 1024 to 1125. I was attracted to the sculpture of the pilgrim in the foreground setting off to Santiago as I have been there a couple of times myself recently, though not all on foot!

This morning we heard a wonderful concert of Bach, Handel and Telemann by the Barocksolisten Munchen in the Baroque church near the cathedral. This afternoon we sailed up-river and are now listening to both of Brahms piano concertos in Baden-Baden.