gnome12

I used a KN95 mask on trains in Germany; my sister wore a black version of the blue masks. Most people were masked, but mask types varied. No one enforced the requirement. The only time we heard it mentioned was on the train from Strasbourg to Frankfurt, where they announced that 5 minutes after leaving Strasbourg (in France where masks are not required) masks would be required (as we were entering Germany). That said we saw almost no masks being worn in France, and not much in Germany except on trains. Burg Eltz required them. Unfortunately, when I got home I tested positive, so maybe I should have worn a mask more often.

I renewed my Nexus at the beginning of August (due to expire June 2023), and when I checked today, it has been renewed to June 2028. (I seem to have missed the email about the change in status when I was away.) It took only 4 months for the renewal; my sister has been waiting for over a year for hers. Now to see how fast the new card arrives; it says as little as 8-10 business days and as long as 6-8 WEEKS.

Sorry, I thought you were the poster from Mississauga.

Keep checking. We hear that appointments do pop up from time to time, and you aren’t far from the Niagara Falls centre.

Thanks for filling in more detail than I gave. I made my quick response having JUST returned home from Europe.

There are multiple mainline train stations in Paris. Generally from each one you go in a different direction. Where you want to go will determine the train station you need.

Wise.com They show you exactly what the fees are. You can transfer in any currency. For me, it is connected to my EQ Bank account, but you can set up an account and link it to your payment account.

I think that is kind of sad. I like to have a few words of the local language anywhere I go. (I tried Catalan but gave up completely, but I have usually managed to get a few words of many languages.) It shows respect for the locals.

There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to when renewal applications get processed. It seems to be the luck of the draw.

In this case he is the boss, so no explanation required.

HSBC is selling their Canadian unit so all of this may change in the future.

This is actually the second half (in reverse) of the Vienna-Basel cruise I took with Uniworld in 2011. There were people disembarking in Nuremberg, as well as new people embarking. We also did the extra bit down to Rudesheim before turning around to sail up the Rhine.

@ural guyThe pictures look lovely. You had considerably more colour change than we did, but I noticed more colour as the week progressed. Still quite a number of river cruises on the Moselle last week. As to weather, we really lucked out, as you seem to have done. I’m not sure you can depend on it in November.

@notamermaidWe are currently on the train from Trier to Metz, just crossed the border into France. Thank you for all your train information; all of the regional day passes have worked great. We are currently using the Saar-Lor-Lux one. As to the biking part of the trip which is now over, we mostly lucked out on the weather. No rain although the last few mornings have been cold and foggy. The biking has been generally fairly easy, but the bikes are heavy. I ended up using an ebike for 3 days, for me it made things much easier even though they are heavier than the regular bikes. Currently, the weather is beautiful; full sun, blue skies, and a fair bit of colour change. We are off to France now for 5 nights, then back to Frankfurt and home.

If I remember correctly, Parliament Hill on the left and the Château Laurier on the right in JP’s picture (the opposite of Daisi’s).

I have actually booked SilverSea for 2024, since I have another pricey trip booked for 2023.

I sailed with Ama on the AmaDara. Started in Hanoi, a night on Halong Bay, then 3 nights in Siem Reap before boarding the ship to outside Saigon. Liked the cruise a lot; didn’t love the cabin; I don’t think the twin balcony is a great choice; both the French balcony part and the real balcony are very small. Also the bus trip at the end into Saigon. The food was incredible. I’m a picky eater, but I ordered the normal menu every day (not the always available menu). I never did the Chef’s Table; a tasting menu isn’t my style.

Just got passed by Tauck Grace coming out of the lock that we were about to enter. She looks really nice! There have been lots of river cruise boats all along the river.

Yesterday we rode the Maar-Mosel trail. They bused us up to Daun, and we rode (mostly) downhill back to Bernkastel-Kues. It was a vary interesting ride, with volcanic lakes, bridges, and 3 stretches of old train tunnels. Very different from riding along the Moselle. I used an e-bike for the first time because some of the climbs, though fairly short were fairly steep. I’m not sure I love the e-bike; even the regular bikes provided are fairly heavy snd the e-bikes even more so, but it got me up hills I might not have been able to do. Today, I’m being lazy, at least for the morning. I skipped cycling and enjoying a peaceful sail along the Mosel. Lots of vineyards and some interesting towns. In Mülheim I saw was seem to be an old river cruise ship turned into a hotel/restaurant/excursion boat.

It looks lovely! Which lock are you at? I have cycled some parts of the canal, and driven by quite a few more.

Bathroom outlets frequently have a sticker that says shavers only.

You have to find a third party one. CC no longer has one.

First day of cycling today, from Cochem to Zell (38 km). The weather was better today (no rain) but quite cool and cloudy snd kind of dank. The sun came out about 4 pm for a short period, and tomorrow looks much better. Still cool in the morning, but some sun by the afternoon and full sun about 3. We cycle to Bernkastel-Kues, about 44 km. The barge is quite nice. Definitely not river cruise standard, but quite comfortable. The passengers are mostly Canadians, with the balance Americans. Well travelled.

Thanks @ural guy . They say the weather will improve tomorrow. I hope so.

Saw the River Queen docked in Cochem this morning. Yesterday the Viking Hild. Today new Viking ship, but I didn’t catch the name. A few other river cruise ships I can’t identify. Today, despite inclement weather, we are off to Burg Eltz. Looking forward to it. Later this afternoon we board our barge Quo Vadis for the barge and cycle part of the trip. We saw her yesterday when she arrived in Cochem, so we know exactly where we need to go to board.