Durnstein

We drove from Melk to Krems along the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its vineyards, apricot orchards, castles on the hillsides, the Danube flowing lazily through it, the discovery of Venus of Willendorf, and the delightful village of Durnstein. It was here that King Richard the Lionhearted was imprisoned and discovered by his faithful servant, Blondel by the singing of a tune only the two of them knew.  A huge ransom was paid for Richard's release.  We enjoyed apricot wine and apricot knodels in the garden of the Blondel Restaurant, by the tower of Durnstein Abbey, a former Augustinian monastery.