Dürnstein: A Very Short Hike

Castle Durnstein Wachau, Austria.

We stepped off the riverboat on a warming summer day. I was on my best behavior, attending a tour of local points of interest, but my mind was wandering back to Richard.

When Richard I of England (also known as Richard the Lionheart), was returning from the crusades, he was captured and held by Duke Leopold, later to be turned over to Heinrich VI. The circumstances would become the substance for the legend of Blondel.

Blondel was a Minstrel, and a favorite of Richard. Blondel traveled the land in search of the King when he went missing. In the legend, he discovers Richard, by singing the first verses of a song the two had composed together, with the King singing the song in reply to Blondel outside the castle walls.

The castle of Richard I of England’s imprisonment was along the winding road that called to me over my shoulder. I wanted to break from the group to hike to the ruins, but responsibility and manners held me in check.

Like Blondel, I wished to approach the castle walls. Like Richard, I needed to escape my imprisonment by the local tour guide.

Finally released on good behavior, I learned that we had but 30 minutes of time before we would return to the ship.

I have a reputation of pushing time limits, and I had been scolded on this trip at least once for that behavior. Still, I had to try. At a quick pace, I raced towards the summit. I could see nothing. I doubled my speed up the steep slope to the castle, still the view was obstructed. Finally the fortress hove into view! My watch alarm activated at the same moment, my turn around time reached. I sighed, gave up the attempt to breach the fortress walls and headed back to the tour bus.