This place is absolutely heaven, the walks are amazing, the people are so friendly, we feel like we've been here for ages and Agnes and Claudia have taken us under their wings and have really looked after us.
We visited Innsbruck on Wednesday, a compact little town set in the valley with impressive peaks towering above it and pretty impressive architect designed funicular stations. It was damn hot, the type of heat which drains your energy and signals a storm.
Austrians adorn their houses with lovely pictures or tromp l'oeil. Shop signs are both quirky and gorgeous, designed in cast iron.
After a long day exploring we got back to the apartment to be met by Agnes carrying two plates of delectable chocolate cake. Now it would be rude not to indulge wouldn't it.
Thursday dawned bright and very hot. We set off on our highest, and longest, walk yet. Backpack sorted with: sandwiches, cereal bars, drinks, jumpers and waterproofs. Off we went, up, up, up and up, past the girl with a broken nose who had fallen off her mountain bike and had to be airlifted to hospital.
Past the capercaillie, a very elusive bird which previous guests, ornithologists, came to find but couldn't, a bird which Claudia has never seen, but which we strolled nonchalantly past.
Past the quirky wood carvings along the ski run, complete with recordings of children's voices.
Past the tree houses where bears hide from the wolves, cos everyone knows wolves can't climb ladders.
Past the grass hung on wooden poles to dry.
Higher and higher, past the lake.
Higher and past the tree line.
Up to the Rosskogelhutte where we stopped for a beer, sitting outside admiring the spectacular view. Suddenly black clouds appeared obscuring the mountain tops, then the ski run, then us.... Thunder and lightning quickly followed. There were four cyclists up there and two nordic walkers.
We all quickly made our way inside. A quick conflab, then the picnic was forgotten and we feasted on Kasspatzin mit rostwiebel und salat which is basically macaroni cheese with onions, covered in dried onions and garnished with spring onions. With salad. Very nice it was too! The restaurant owner closed the door, served the beers then followed them up with a free schnapps!
Some time later .....
The sun emerged again, so did we, and we set off, a little further up the mountain.
Eventually we reached the top and were rewarded for our efforts with some beautiful gentians.
Yesterday was THE PERFECT DAY and, for those of you who have been asking, we had our Heidi moment! I forgot to pack my costume and Jim's leiderhosen was a bit reminiscent of Borat so we stuck to shorts and T-shirts! It was a beautiful hot day and we set off to walk around a mountain, rather than up one, through pine woods, glades and meadows full to bursting with flowers.
Insects were chattering, the cuckoo was calling, bees were buzzing and there were clouds of butterflies.
The views were stunning, great big birds of prey hovered overhead.
Water was gurgling, the pine smelt sublime.
All the uphill bits didn't seem so bad!
Our sandwiches hit the spot.
Perfect.
In all honesty I could stay here.
Today we went to a wedding - well we didn't actually go to the wedding but Claudia is in a marching band and they were playing at one of their members wedding, so we went to watch. The church was set on a hill just outside the village, what an idyllic spot.
All good things must come to an end and once again, we've packed. We're heading for Salzburg tomorrow, somewhat reluctantly. Anyway it's 10.30 now and Eurovision is halfway through, can't think anyone will beat Englebert!!
Thanks for continuing to read, see you in Salzburg.
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1 comment:
Looks great, especially the Zaha Hadid station in Innesbruck. Got a lot of criticism because the joins don't meet properly!
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