So another 8.30am departure this morning. Put our blind up this morning and I could see someone unpacking in the window. I looked around, mum was in the shower and the door was closed. I couldn't figure where the reflection was coming from...I then clicked it was another boat moored alongside us. Put the blind back down.

Today we had a 1.5hr drive up to the Bavarian Forrest. We went from about 300m sea level to 700m which was enough to see snow. Our local guide told us this was the first snow of the season. Made it feel like Christmas. We drove to a little village called Barnzell where we were able to take a horse carriage ride around the village and through a little of the forrest. We were lucky enough that it actually snowed while we had our ride. Bells jingled on the horses, people singing, very Christmassy.

Then we were taken to a famous glass company Theresienthal that has been making glass products since King Ludwig I began the company. He wanted glass fit for a king. Some beautiful items but a little out of our price range. Back to the village and we were able to try some freshly baked German bread cooked in an 80year old outdoor oven.

Then time to be back in the bus for the drive back to the boat where lunch was waiting. First chance to try out the dessert table which could be dangerous. We then joined a walking tour of the town where we have been docked for the past few nights, Passau. Our guide was very good, making us do a little role playing to explain some of the history of the town. Also showed us where the floods hit last year, quite high and some business were out of action for over a year due to the damage. We went to a cafe famous for its gingerbread and was given a taste of different ones made through the ages, original one with honey and then sugar and then some marscopone. The surprising thing I learnt was that they actually make the 'dough' back in June / July and it is kept in the cellar until November when they start cooking it as people really only buy it in Nov / Dec.

The cathedral here, Dom St Stephan was incredible. The interior was breathtaking, the only problem was a few minutes after we got inside, most of the lights were turned out so we didn't get the chance to truly take it all in.

I didn't see the sign that said no photographs so actually took out my tripod to get some photos. It wasn't until later when mum said something that I found out I wasn't meant to use the camera. We then checked out the local Christmas markets which were pretty small but some nice things before walking back down to the boat. It was actually nice to experience what a river cruise should be like, walking from the boat to the town instead of being bussed.

Another lovely dinner (way too much food today) and now relaxing in the bar once again. Mum has actually retired, feeling tired tonight. Tomorrow we finally set sail at 6am. As the couple said that we sat with at dinner tonight, we are on day 4 of a river cruise and yet to do any river cruising. It is a bit of a catch 22. The problem was not caused by Uniworld but it has been disappointing and to be honest the first day should have been handled better than what it was. We have paid for a 5 star cruise and the Novotel they put us up in the first night and 1 star dinner that we got at the hotel was pretty unacceptable in that context. Anyway, happy to finally start crusing tomorrow. Let's hope it isn't too foggy so we can actually see the countryside as we start. This afternoon was actually rather warm at 5ºC. Felt almost like summer