Rhine water levels 2022 and similar topics

[notamermaid]

6 hours ago, worldtraveller99 said:

Thank you notamermaid. Am crossing all our fingers that we still have wonderful Christmas markets to go round!

Indeed!! The German public will not be happy about something happening to the Christmas markets. Third year in a row would surely put us on the brink of revolution - would me, anyway.

 

I was looking for something else and then found this article which explains some of the things that are happening. Important sentence to take away from this: "So far, lawmakers have shied away from demanding that the hospitality industry cut back on its electricity consumption, or turn down the heating."

https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-energy-crisis-how-will-the-tourism-industry-get-through-the-winter/a-63045829

 

Personally I take this article like so many with a pinch of salt, but the facts are there.

 

notamermaid

 

[worldtraveller99]

Thank you notamermaid, that is all sad, though understandable. And leads to a baby boom next summer! (People staying at home!)

[notamermaid]

1 hour ago, worldtraveller99 said:

Thank you notamermaid, that is all sad, though understandable. And leads to a baby boom next summer! (People staying at home!)

Well, politics could fix it to some extent, but Berlin is Berlin. The baby boom - well I could say something about recent medical procedures which I will not and if cooler homes and snuggling up helps against the feeling of "what a terrible world for children to live in" we can only hope and will find out next year.

 

Sailing in the Rhine Gorge without the lights on the castles, I do not like that. I was getting a bit worried there, but it seems only to be from 10pm to 6am, so if that happens it does not sound too bad.

 

Not sure how all that will affect Christmas lights and safety in large cities. Nobody will turn off the street lights but additional light from shop windows is always comforting.

 

Another thing. Mask mandates. In the medical sector masks are worn at all times I believe. On a lot of public transport, depending on region. This could be extended to the general public again but is still debated. It will be down to the individual states to come to a regulation. We will see how that develops. I will need to look into this again.

 

Depending on your take on things, what a local newspaper recently had was a full "propaganda page" or "information sheet" on getting a second booster jab. It has made me wonder if we may see implications for travelling in autumn and winter but so far I have not read anything that would indicate a change to the current entry requirements for Germany.

 

notamermaid

 

[worldtraveller99]

I think we have gone to "Covid what Covid?" in the UK, so would hate to see masks back in Germany. We aim to have annual flu and Covid jabs in October, so hope for the best.

[retiredawacs]

Hello,

Traveling Christmas on the Rhine, Nov 24-Dec 2 Amsterdam to Basel. Just found this thread and will spend sometime this evening reading through it. Anyone else on this river cruise?

[notamermaid]

4 hours ago, worldtraveller99 said:

I think we have gone to "Covid what Covid?" in the UK, so would hate to see masks back in Germany. We aim to have annual flu and Covid jabs in October, so hope for the best.

Oh no, not here. I mean most people either get vaccinated with a booster or not, wear a mask or not, no fuzz, no big words. A minority is actually scared. But our government in Berlin is closer in thinking to "never let a good crisis go to waste" which is something some media outlets appear to be agreeing with. Walking through the streets you would hardly notice anything, institutions with service counters and supermarket checkouts have plastic panes, hand sanitizers are here to stay it seems, but under the surface there is more and there is this uneasy feeling. Readily nurtured by some of those in power. I would not say any of this if I did not have the feeling they will not let us enjoy autumn and winter in peace and just get on with work (tourism in my case) and travel. That's it for now, will see how it progresses.

 

notamermaid

 

[notamermaid]

1 hour ago, retiredawacs said:

Hello,

Traveling Christmas on the Rhine, Nov 24-Dec 2 Amsterdam to Basel. Just found this thread and will spend sometime this evening reading through it. Anyone else on this river cruise?

Hello to you. Due to the water level problems this has become a long thread and info other than "Kaub at x cm" is scattered throughout. Several cruisers have contributed not just with short reports from their river cruises but have also supplied photos that I am sure will raise the anticipation level. Happy reading.

 

To find other cruisers you could join or start a roll call. Have a look where your itinerary may fit in, basic distinction is between Viking river roll calls and other river roll calls.

 

Your date has just made me think. I am getting ready to write a little about Andernach and really needed to jog my memory about the short day trip. It was last November, shortly before Advent! Time flies.

 

notamermaid

 

[Cleopatra99]

5 hours ago, notamermaid said:

 Due to the water level problems this has become a long thread and info other than "Kaub at x cm" is scattered throughout.

 

... dare I ask - what is x cm at Kaub today ? Have disruptions due to low water reduced ? 

 

Thank you for all of your contributions and advice.

[notamermaid]

35 minutes ago, Cleopatra99 said:

Have disruptions due to low water reduced ? 

Yes. We are in a much better position than we were in August. It is not perfect as there is not enough water in the soil, i.e. ground water, Spring rain was just too little. A longer dry period could get the river to official low water again. Right now the Rhine in Germany is what I would call quite a bit on the low side. Too low for barges to be more than two thirds loaded, but high enough for river cruise ships. Kaub gauge is at 102cm and falling but it has rained again today so it is promising. Forecast puts 110cm firmly in the table of figures and anticipates a further rise towards the end of the week.

 

notamermaid

 

[JAG64]

Thanks notamermaid for all your awesome work. We had our Budapest to Amsterdam cruise cancelled in late November 2018 due to now water and now, again, low water problems for our replacement cruise 14 November Budapest to Amsterdam. Am hopeful and my fingers and toes are crossed. Just like last time, these community forums are awesome for those travelling to the area. A huge thank you from me for all your and others updates. 🙂

[notamermaid]

4 hours ago, JAG64 said:

We had our Budapest to Amsterdam cruise cancelled in late November 2018 due to now water and now, again, low water problems for our replacement cruise 14 November Budapest to Amsterdam.

So you know all about it... sorry that this is putting you in the same position as four years ago. But I am not too pessimistic. We will just need to wait and see. For now, September is better than expected, the problem is just that as I indicated above, we rely so much on rain in autumn, more this year than in the years 2019 to 2021. Normally late November is better than October or early November but 2018 shocked us all.

 

I am happy to report that Kaub is at 97cm, right where the forecast puts it, a drop for sure, but for tomorrow the forecast puts the figures back to 110cm, with 120cm a possibility and the tentative figures go up to 130cm and more for the weekend. If that happens, in consequence, we will have more than just a couple of days of peace of mind. The weather is pleasant but cooler and rainier so the sun is not beating down on us and drying out the land as much as it did in August.

 

Oh, and I think I can put my elaborate cooler fan back in the utility room for this year. My flat has become a pleasant place to be in again.

 

notamermaid

 

[JAG64]

39 minutes ago, notamermaid said:

So you know all about it... sorry that this is putting you in the same position as four years ago. But I am not too pessimistic. We will just need to wait and see. For now, September is better than expected, the problem is just that as I indicated above, we rely so much on rain in autumn, more this year than in the years 2019 to 2021. Normally late November is better than October or early November but 2018 shocked us all.

 

I am happy to report that Kaub is at 97cm, right where the forecast puts it, a drop for sure, but for tomorrow the forecast puts the figures back to 110cm, with 120cm a possibility and the tentative figures go up to 130cm and more for the weekend. If that happens, in consequence, we will have more than just a couple of days of peace of mind. The weather is pleasant but cooler and rainier so the sun is not beating down on us and drying out the land as much as it did in August.

 

Oh, and I think I can put my elaborate cooler fan back in the utility room for this year. My flat has become a pleasant place to be in again.

 

notamermaid

 

Wishing for some rain every week till we travel, but a boat swap is better than no cruise. Thanks again for your great work!

[notamermaid]

A late autumn trip to Andernach

 

Last week I read an interesting article on Andernach, surprisingly on the Deutsche Welle website. This reminded me of my short shopping trip to Andernach last November. In preparation for Christmas 2021 the intention was to do some general shopping, wander around and go to a specialist shop for sweets and other food indulgences. To my disappointment, the shop had closed down. It was also too early in November for the town to have Christmas decorations and stalls so I was left to just wander around and do general shopping. But it turned out to be more interesting than it sounds. And perhaps if you have been to Andernach before this may be new to you.

 

Knowing of a small supermarket with good parking, that is where I headed. REWE franchise supermarkets are everywhere and stock the usual stuff but like some other supermarkets these days have regional products that in REWE they do actually display on separate shelves sometimes. If you get the chance and food and drink interest you, have a look at these places. This is the REWE in Andernach just behind the railway line, about a twenty minute leisurely walk from the dock:

 The hill behind REWE is the "Krahnenberg", one half of the rock formation "Andernach Gate".

Walking from REWE towards the station and town, at the roundabout is the „Sparkasse“, a savings bank. Outside they have a Bank, a bench, a play on words meaning the bank that stays, both the bank and the bench remain where they are. Notice the Andernach coat of arms on the wall:

 

Cars use the modern underpass to get into town and with it came a problem, something that needed to go and should stay. It is a small monument, a tiny piece of local history but showing a much bigger picture and story captured in stone, which you find out about if you stop to read. The American Allied Forces inscribed the stones in the old pillar (or is it a buttress?) under the railway line with a figure marking the way and distances to Ohio and Los Angeles:

 

The information panel explains that when the new underpass was built they put those old stones in again, so they are almost at their original spot:

 

Walking through town also gave me the opportunity to have a look at some small shops. A local butchers always needs trying out, so I got (we are not surprised, are we? ) raw sausages for frying:

 

 

They were really tasty, it was a nice fast dinner, sausage with small salad and baguette bread.

 

 

Last stop – I could not resist – was the HIT large supermarket out of town. I like it for its big shelves of organic products and the wide wine selection. And I mean from all over the world. Look what I found, Californian wines, several of this label, whites, reds. Just the whites in my photo with their price:

 

 

That was it, time to get home. Although the sweets shop had gone I was able to get what I wanted to a large extent as both HIT and another small shop had enough of the goodies that I had intended to buy and similar ones.

 

And the article? Yes that is a nice read as it describes the „edible town“, free plants for harvesting, no shop needed for those. Stroll along the gardens and the moat at the old castle and you are in for a surprise:

https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-pioneer-edible-city-on-the-rhine/a-61928579

 

I will stay in the area, the hills right behind Andernach in one of my next posts when we will look at stones – and beer!

 

notamermaid

 

[OwenSmith]

On 9/13/2022 at 10:40 AM, worldtraveller99 said:

I think we have gone to "Covid what Covid?" in the UK, so would hate to see masks back in Germany. We aim to have annual flu and Covid jabs in October, so hope for the best.

On my Basel to Amsterdam cruise a couple of weeks ago we were never asked for covid vaccination certificates. Not in the hotel in Interlaken, not on Eurostar, not on the Rhine cruise, not in the hotel in Amsterdam nor any museums anywhere (eg Speyer), nor on the flight home to the UK. No-one except the three of us were wearing face masks. Very dissapointing, and unsurprisingly as a result I came home with covid.

As far as I can see the entire of Northern Europe is behaving as if covid never happened. What a complete bunch of idiots.

Edited September 15, 2022 by OwenSmith

[notamermaid]

13 hours ago, OwenSmith said:

as a result I came home with covid

Sorry to read that. Best wishes for your health.

 

 

About face masks. I have noticed in the last few days that more people are wearing them again where I live. Not many, but there is a noticeable difference to August.

 

notamermaid

 

[notamermaid]

River levels update: all looking promising, good levels now up to the border with the Netherlands. Good for river cruise ships, barges better, not getting back to full capacity yet.

 

Kaub at 139cm. Levelling off.

 

notamermaid

 

[notamermaid]

Completely forgot to mention the forecast. Kaub should reach 150cm tomorrow with 160cm probable. Sunday even higher!

 

As is the nature in the Middle Rhine valley, this will give the river plenty of water and time before it can fall to levels that could impede sailing, i.e. it will definitely not fall to that within four days, even if it does not rain and the sun shines brightly. If the river peaks on Monday that should keep the level up for the rest of next week comfortably and probably for a few additional days. Looking very good indeed.

 

notamermaid

 

[notamermaid]

The Normans, those people that were Vikings (Scandinavians) that had gone to France, eventually decided to cross the English channel but not only did that. They went on plundering trips to the Moselle and the Rhine and settled in other parts of Europe as well. An exhibition in Mannheim now wants to tell the story of the "Northmen": https://www.rem-mannheim.de/en/exhibitions/special-exhibitions/the-normans/

 

notamermaid

 

[notamermaid]

On 9/16/2022 at 9:43 PM, notamermaid said:

Completely forgot to mention the forecast. Kaub should reach 150cm tomorrow with 160cm probable. Sunday even higher!

Not sure who has gobbled up all the water or turned the tap off, but the forecast turns out to be wrong. Kaub peaked at 141cm yesterday and is now at 138cm. It has been a miserable, wet and windy weekend so we are unlikely to see Kaub falling further. Long term forecast puts figures of lower than 100cm in the highly unlikely bracket. A good sign. Relax - and get the warmer jackets out, I think Summer is sort of over. After all my moaning about heat, I am bit embarrassed to say that I now want it five degrees warmer.

 

Okay, where was I. Ah, stones and beer in the Eifel near Andernach. And the new volcano mapping of the area.

 

Post coming soon. I leave you with the info of the splendid excursion of APT when they dock in Andernach - Namedy castle.

APT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dggkzWwm244

and by the castle owners themselves:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i56GiwZ2lxs

 

The inside of Namedy castle really does look as inviting as this, have seen it myself.

 

The world's highest cold water geyser is "down the road" on the peninsula.

 

notamermaid

 

[Ktwofish]

@notamermaid Is it correct that Germany will drop face mask requirements for airplanes beginning October 1st?  I read an online article but I see nothing on an official German website.

[steamboats]

2 hours ago, Ktwofish said:

@notamermaid Is it correct that Germany will drop face mask requirements for airplanes beginning October 1st?  I read an online article but I see nothing on an official German website.

 

Yes, correct. But we still have to wear them in trains - long distance trains so far but I doubt that regional and local public transportation will skip the masks (that´s up to the states while long distance is up to federal law).

 

steamboats

[notamermaid]

Kaub gauge is at 141cm. The forecast, for a second time this Summer/early Autumn, has been quite wrong. Remember the 160cm I stated? The level never went up this far and and for the second time has only gone beyond 140cm. With the weather getting warmer again, with less rain, we see the forecast giving us lower figures. I will again regard them with skepticism and just say that it is still looking all good but the level will likely fall below 120cm before the weekend. Absolutely fine for river cruise ships, awkward again for barge traffic.

 

It is so cool I am tempted to put the heating on. But I will bear it and look forward to a warmer day tomorrow.

 

Oh, by the way, the days may be alright, but the nights are very cool, low frost may be coming to the hills. If you get cold easily, invest in scarf and gloves for the early morning excursions. Could be only 6 Celsius.

 

notamermaid

 

[retiredslug]

2 hours ago, notamermaid said:

Kaub gauge is at 141cm. The forecast, for a second time this Summer/early Autumn, has been quite wrong. Remember the 160cm I stated? The level never went up this far and and for the second time has only gone beyond 140cm. With the weather getting warmer again, with less rain, we see the forecast giving us lower figures. I will again regard them with skepticism and just say that it is still looking all good but the level will likely fall below 120cm before the weekend. Absolutely fine for river cruise ships, awkward again for barge traffic.

 

It is so cool I am tempted to put the heating on. But I will bear it and look forward to a warmer day tomorrow.

 

Oh, by the way, the days may be alright, but the nights are very cool, low frost may be coming to the hills. If you get cold easily, invest in scarf and gloves for the early morning excursions. Could be only 6 Celsius.

 

notamermaid

 

We can confirm the weather has taken a severe downturn here in Salzburg.  Rainy and cold all week and the Biergartens are practically empty.  Hopefully the weather will improve as we head for Basel next week for our cruise to Nuremberg.

[notamermaid]

2 hours ago, retiredslug said:

Hopefully the weather will improve as we head for Basel next week for our cruise to Nuremberg.

This more pleasant weather this week will turn into rainy days again next week. At least that is what they are saying now. The sun has come out during the afternoon, looks more pleasant now and the chill from the wind and damp has gone.

 

While I am here. A quick tip for something unusual. North of Koblenz on the right bank lies the town of Neuwied. Not much of a touristy place but they do have a renovated embankment with docking area and a very pleasant beer garden there. Recommend the beach chairs on the sand with beer in hand... I get the impression that they cannot get their act together - the authorities I mean - as there is still no sign of a proper landing for river cruise ships. So you may not be able to get there on a ship but if you want to see something special on a land trip (or dock in Andernach conveniently), this is the place to go to between 23 September and 31 October. In an old industrial complex is the light show "Lumagica". I saw last year's edition in another area of the town. Really enjoyed it with its industrial theme so I will try and go again this year: https://lumagica.de/neuwied/

 

Guess what I found out while roaming the internet: They are also in Canada! https://lumagica.ca/

 

notamermaid

 

[gnome12]

6 minutes ago, notamermaid said:

Guess what I found out while roaming the internet: They are also in Canada! https://lumagica.ca/

Unfortunately, nowhere near me. It is in Surrey, British Columbia.