Wachau Valley

We sailed away from Vienna at midnight, heading up the Danube. We woke up after a wonderful sleep to be greeted by sun! Very chilly though, only about 5 C to start. After breakfast we went through a large double lock, quite different from the ones I saw in Burgundy last year!Apparently a lock that we went through in  the night was broken, which delayed us several hours.

Because of delay we disembarked in Krems, and took a coach to Weissenkirchen where the ship would catch up to us.
The weather is still changeable, quite warm when the sun is out, but then the sun goes behind a cloud and the wind comes up! A very pretty village with different colored houses, some from the 16th century. Lots of apricot and other fruit trees, and of course surrounded by vineyards.We walked up the winding streets to the "White Church" that gives the village it's name. A great view from the top.
Then back down to the village for the tasting part of the tour. The village is famous for it's apricot products, and we try apricot brandy, apricot liqueur and apricot jam. Then local wine from the Gruner Veltliner grape which predominates here. We tasted 3 - one from the flat fields, one from the lower slopes, and 1 from the terraced fields - all very different. (the terraced field one is best!)
Back to the River Princess (which has now caught up to us) for a quick lunch. Then a hike through the vineyards lead by one of the family members. The walls are dry stone construction, which allows the water to drain through. We saw a few people pruning the vines. In this area as it's so steep, everything is done by hand. Then back to the ship, and we head on up the river through the Wachau Valley. It is now designated as a world heritage site, and is very pretty. The Danube is flowing very strongly here. No locks and no bridges here, only a few cable ferries.