Ron Smith - River Cruising

On 26^th March Rotarians heard a talk given by member Ron Smith. Ron referred back to school trips he had led when a teacher at Hawick High School, seeing river boats cruising along the River Rhine. This had seemed at the time to be something beyond his reach but many years later took first place on his bucket list! So, to mark a birthday last year he travelled on the River Danube from Budapest to Passau, visiting Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Czechia and Germany – five countries in eight days.

Ron gave a rapid photographic tour of the locations visited. He noted his enthusiasm for finding maps of each location and to visit the highest points for views across the cities. Normal practice was to have a half day guided tour of each stop and then a half day to do your own thing. He did comment on his disappointment that only one half day was spent scenically cruising along the river, through the Wachau valley, as the other movements from stop to stop happened overnight. He mentioned that the favourite city on the tour had been Bratislava, and that he and his companions had been particularly struck by the cleanliness of the cities and by the very full provision of public transport at each, with trams, buses, Metro train services and river traffic.

Questions followed, and a vote of thanks from Nicky Bell prompted more discussion on the logistics of river cruising. Ron emphasised that it had been a most enjoyable experience, and to be recommended, but that this was now crossed off the bucket list!