So it's about 4pm on Saturday afternoon and we are cruising the last part of the Danube (for our trip anyway) to Vienna. Yesterday and today we have finally been able to experience what a river cruise is meant to be like.

We set off from Passau yesterday morning at 6am. Mum had gone to bed rather early so she was wide awake at 6am and headed up to the lounge. Luckily I was able to fall back asleep to just before 8am. After breakfast spent most of the morning up on the top deck taking photos and taking it all in. We went through a couple of locks and it is quite amazing how they work. I've seen them on a canal in Birmingham but these are on such a bigger scale. It was actually quite nice out again although when we were moving, the wind did cut through you.

Since lunch was so soon after breakfast we just had some soup and salad before getting ready to head out once we docked at Linz. Mum and I chose to go on a trip out to Christkindle and Steyr. Steyr is described as the Austrian equivalent to Rothenburg that we had visited in Germany previous to the cruise. Christkindle is a tiny village (population of about 300) that has a pilgrimage church due to a 10cm little wax figure of the Christkindle (Christ Child). They also have the largest nativity scene in the world with over 700 figures all hand carved. They have another nativity scene that has the figures move, all with bicycle chains and pulleys. Very special to see. They have a post office that is only open for the 6 weeks over Christmas and in Austria, children write to Christkindle for their presents, not Santa Clause and this is where the letters go. They answer all the letters they receive.

We then headed to Steyr where they have a lot of old buildings that have been preserved. We visited the Christmas Museum which had over 14,000 christmas ornaments on display from years gone by. The christmas markets were nothing special and then it was time to head back to Linz. We did see a local who had drunk too much Glunwein in the local square and the police, who were on Segways put him into a taxi and off on his way. Felt sorry for the taxi driver.

Back in Linz, our guide did a quick tour with us. Very pretty all lit up. She showed us Mozarthouse where Mozart composed his Symphony No 36 (Linz Symphony) while staying here. His host had promised friends that Mozart would play and since he had bought no notes with him, he created something so the guests wouldn't be disappointed.

The christmas market lights were more interesting than the markets themselves and after we had checked them out, walked back to the boat and got ready for dinner (I know, more food). We set sail last night about midnight and we went through a few locks during the night but we didn't hear or feel it.

This morning we crusied through the Wachau Valley where there are lots of vineyards and old fortresses and castles. Went past Melk where mum and I will return to by train on Tuesday to visit the abbey there. Didn't spend a lot of time upstairs because it was pretty cold with the wind. It's a shame that the most pretty part of the river comes at a time when people are asleep or preparing for the day or having breakfast. We docked at Durnstein which is famous as it has a castle with Richard the Lionhart was once imprisoned back in 1192. We were told that in summer it is usually overrun with tourists but we were the only boat docked and no buses in sight. Joined a walking tour of the town and then were able to try some white Glunwein....still no good unfortunately. Wandered around the shops and mum bought some apricot liquor. Apricots are also very popular here and they have apricot everything.

Mum headed back to the boat and I scrambled half way up to the ruins of the castle. Unfortunately didn't have time to go the whole way as the boat was leaving at 12.45pm and didn't want to miss it. The views were spectacular, can only imagine what it would have been like all the way at the top.

Time for lunch (groan) but they had the nicest bread and butter pudding for dessert with a meringue like top. Had to go for seconds. Mum and I said we will be glad when the cruise is over just so we stop eating so much. We rarely eat lunch when we travel. Enjoying it while we can.

We packed up all the christmas decorations we have bought while on the cruise. We bought bubble wrap with us to wrap the breakables and the extra bag we bought is almost full (oh no). Then we have spent the afternoon relaxing in the lounge. We are due to dock at Vienna at 5pm and have dinner at 6pm before heading into town for a classical concert.