Bad Hofgastein - skiing, coffee and a shower

A hat full of Snow

View from the Haitzingalm

The Haitzingalm

Fresh snow and sunshine, a magic combination. Time for elevenses and the first visit to the Haitzingalm this season. I was rather too anxious to get my caffeine fix however. I took the direct route which involved negotiating some bumps. I'm afraid I took off and did a head plant in front of the restaurant. Anyway, the Owner Lady recognised me and gave me a nice welcoming Gruss Gott. The coffee was just right, a Verlangerter which is a larger, watered down, version of an Expresso. So, fully refreshed, I headed off again. However, I did not realise that during my little embarrassment with the bump, snow had been forced between my helmet liner and the shell. This had melted while I was in the restaurant so the final  indignity I suffered was a cold shower as I put my helmet on. But hey, could be worse, I could be Christmas Shopping!

Down the track on H4

Kindle Embarrassing - A sinking feeling at the Swimming Pool

TW recently gave me a Kindle e-reader. I was not sure if I would take to it but now would not be without it.

Anyway, I said I was going to take it to the swimming pool. TW’s advice (order) to me was that I should put the e-reader inside a conventional paperback when I use it. “Nobody will know you have a Kindle so it will not get stolen”. So, after my first swimming session, I settled down in one of the comfortable loungers alongside the pool to read and I was soon deeply engrossed in my current book by Bill Bryson. However I thought I detected some strange looks, particularly from one bikini clad lady.

After a few checks about my person I realised what the problem was!

My advice, as a result of this experience, is that if you are going to camouflage your Kindle behind a paperback, just make sure that the paperback is the right way up! 

Bad Hofgastein in December - warming up for the season

Skiing above the clouds in the warm December sun.  

The village of Bad Hofgastein down below is in cloud
Heading down on the Blue run H3 to the Middle Station

Wild and windy at the top of H2

A warm wind from the South disturbed the snow at the top and made the cable car swing. The Fohn wind is not a welcome visitor to the valley. People tend to get a bit cranky.

Skiing down to the Hamburger Alm

No crowds up here on H5. Just some school groups out today along with some Scandinavian exiles from Bad Gastein so that left me plenty of space.

The Aeroplanstadl prepares

Not all the Huts are open yet. The Aeroplanstadl is getting ready. Hopefully they are preparing this winters batch of Apple Strudel!

Winter in the Angertal - 13th December

Looking across Angertal to the Schlossalm

I suppose in December there is risk that there will be no snow. What is certain is that there will be very few people! It was lucky 13th for us today. Visibility was good, snow was sufficient and there were hardly any other skiers. It was simply a case of choosing a route and heading on down. No looking out for speed merchants coming through and no adjustments to avoid traversing slower skiers.

B18 - no people to worry about

Fresh Snow at the top of the chairlift

Gastein Sunday

Early Sunday Morning - empty slopes and fresh corduroy

Way down in the valley its cold and misty

One of the best things about skiing - Getting up in the morning and seeing thick mist in the valley and knowing that when you go up the mountain you'll punch through the gloom into sunshine and clear blue skies. Today was one of those wonderful days.

Beyond the divide the clouds cover Corinthia
On the Schlossalm the piste bashers are parked ready for tonights operations

Advent in Bad Hofgastein - who would like a hot Gluwein?

Horse driven sleighs are taking families on candle lit rides around the Kur Park. Chestnuts are roasting, Gluwein is wafting - must be Advent in Gastein.

The Sunday Evening  streets of Bad Hofgastein

Bad Hofgastein - ski season opener 2011/12

Dreams do come true!

H2 in Bad Hofgastein - man on the run - again

The Maurachalm - an Austrian Chocolate Box

After a few days lifting my heels on the cross-country loop it was time to get up the mountain. There is no rocket that goes up to say the lifts are opening, its a matter of spotting an updated web page. So, I staggered out this morning with my ski's over my shoulder just a bit concerned that it was all a hoax or perhaps a dream. After all, it had been several days since the last snow. The first sign that the opening was real came when two others, ski suited and booted, arrived at the bus stop to join me. Would the ski buses be running? The appointed hour arrived, no bus! Happily it was only a few minutes late - the Austrians at the bus stop gave out a Gott sei Dank (Thank God), they obviously shared my uncertainty. The clincher was that my shiny new lift pass worked at the lift station - the game was definitely on for another season.

Germany - A Postcard from Berlin - December 2011

A trip to the German Capital

By the dome- Transparent Government and Nice Cakes!

It’s difficult to believe that just over twenty years ago there was a concrete wall separating the two halves of Berlin.  Today, the fact that it was put there to stop the inhabitants of the socialist East escaping to the West defies belief.

Anyway, we defied the strike by the public sector workers and headed off to Berlin for a few days. As usual we were on a budget so our Airport transfer from Tegel into the centre was made, in the rush hour, by bus and then two S-bahn underground trains.  Good value though at 2E30 for a zone AB ticket.

These were the first of many trips on Berlin's Public Transport. The automatic ticket machines give quite a number of options. On subsequent days we opted for a day ticket, go anywhere for a little over 6 Euros which isn’t bad.

Our expert advisers told us that the area around Nikolaiviertel was a good place to stay so we booked an Apartment within a stone’s throw. Our budget Apartment was on the 16^th Floor of a twenty floor residential tower block. I know that does not sound very inviting but it really was OK and it had a lift!

It was quiet and clean and had everything we needed for three nights, including a kitchen with the vital microwave to cook up my porridge.

Tower Block View - by Night

Daytime View - not bad for a Tower Block

Naturally, the views were good and included a row of riverside pubs in nearby Nikolaiviertel. So that’s where we headed off to. Like most of Berlin, this area was flattened during WWII. It has been tastefully reconstructed and, presumably, looks like a sanitised version of pre-war days.

Our hostelry of choice was the Georg Brau, next to a bronze statue of Saint George slaying that Dragon again.  It was nice and busy, the beer was great and I had a Pork Knuckle (Schweinhaxe) with sauerkraut and potatoes, a particular favourite. A really good ‘welcome to Berlin’.

TW had a long list of places she wanted to see over the next couple of days. Days are short at this time of year so we needed to move quckly :-

Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate – this is one of the world’s iconic images. I thought it was marred a little by people dressed as East German and Russian soldiers. Have your photo taken with someone who would have shot you twenty-odd years ago? I think I would find a comfortable no-man’s land or DMZ to put them in.  I think there might be vacancies between North and South Korea?

The Reichstag

The Reichstag – we knew this was a popular attraction and that we might have to queue. What we didn't know was that you had to book on-line 4 days in advance due to heightened security. Luckily we remembered that there was a restaurant at the top near the dome. We phoned up and booked afternoon tea for the following day. Security was really tight with passport checks and scanners, we felt like we were going abroad. The Reichstag visit was the highlight of the trip.  Coffee and cake, a wander up and down the dome and we looked down on where Mrs Merkel had made her speech in the Bundestag that very morning.

Looking down on Government

It was a surprisingly nice cake, we had expected one of those posh Nouvelle Cuisine tarts with a sprig of mint on top. Reality was a big fruity lump of crumble. I could definitely get interested in Politics if it would bring me in contact with a proper pudding. Must be what attracted Mrs Merkel, she definitely looks like she is into cakes. 

Tourists

Very clever design for the dome and the spiral walkways within. Not sure I understand how we managed to walk up one spiral and down the other without them appearing to cross? I would not like to be a window cleaner there, but the idea was to bring transparency to the political process by putting in lots of glass.

Bike Ride – Tour de Berlin!

TW at the Victory Column on her e-bike

Berlin is really bike friendly so, despite the cool weather, we rented bikes from Take A Bike. TW had energy deficit so she took an electric bike (a Giant Twist Freedom) to whizz around on. We had an absolutely brilliant little Tour of Berlin, mainly on cycle paths. There is a really good map showing all the cycle routes. Berlin is surprisingly compact so we managed to see lots and even get home for lunch.

We saw Checkpoint Charlie and were underwhelmed. A lot of our cycle route followed the path of the Wall. It’s now marked by a row of cobbles as much of it has been demolished. Particularly enjoyed the ride through the Tiergarten and then along the River Spree.

Unter den Linden – Under the Linden tree

Have always thought this was a good name for a main street. Why we call ours all ‘High Street’ beats me. Lots of reconstruction work still going on as they restore the buildings to their former splendour. It’s an easy pedal under the Linden Tree from the Brandenburg Gate down to the Berliner Dom

TV Tower

Sony Centre

Fernesehturm – Monstrous TV Tower with a revolving satellite on top. We didn’t bother going up, the view from our Tower Block was good enough for us.

Santa's Helper

Potsdamer Platz – lots of modern rebuilding around here. We played with the Gadgets in the Sony Centre and had a coffee in an Australia themed cafe. The waitress was a bit dopey, we had a heluva job ordering a coffee and a mineral water. I think we would still be there if we had decided to eat something!

Markishes Museum

We actually went to a Museum, well it was raining and it was a good place to leave our bags on the last day. The Museum follows the history of Berlin from Medieval Times until today. Highlights were the old photos. Unter den Linden was very smart in the early 1900’s. Lots of horse poo on the streets then though! TW was a bit concerned for the ladies who were all wearing long dresses. Must have been very messy?

Wall Flower

Marie-Elizabeth Luders House - some library!

 Time to head off to Austria!

Welcome to Carbis Bay - again

Cornwall in November 2011

Welcome Pack - On the table

There was a time when you were lucky to get two hotplates and a fridge when you went self-catering. Today, its rather different and our Carbis Bay Apartment had all the equipment you would ever need, and then some.  It even had an Ipad, whatever that is? The Welcome Pack wasn’t bad either. Not sure about scones with clotted cream but the Cornish Fairings were very tasty.

View from the balcony

Cornwall in November - pedalling and paddling for a week in St. Ives

Blue skies over St Ives in November

The Harbour in St. Ives

November is a good month to visit this part of the world. The traffic is lighter, the prices are lower and the town is much quieter than in the season. The only downside might be the weather. So far, so good, forecast rain did not materialise

Portreath and the Mining Trails on Monday

Portreath Harbour

Mining Trails

Well, Monday morning brought cloud. Headed off to Portreath along the coast via Hayle and Godrevy. Met up with TW and TMIL in the Atlantic Cafe for a swift Coffee. Portreath used to be quite industrial and looked a bit sad today. The harbour was used for shipping the tin and copper from the local mines. Its the sort of place that could be really nice with a bit of investment. Imagine there are some great walks along the cliffs and some decent beaches. Anyway, for me it was off on the Mining Trails towards Pool where I picked up NCN 3 for the run home to Carbis Bay via Cambourne. Nice little ride!

Walking on the South West Coastal Path

North - towards Porthkidney

As we are staying on the coast at Carbis Bay we are directly on the South West Coastal Path. Turn Left and we get to St. Ives, turn Right and we are on our way towards Hayle. I particularly like the walk towards Hayle, alongside the Golf Course to St. Uny Church.
I think the golfers would not like to be described as wayward but there are some pretty heavy defences for local walkers. This concrete Bunker is not like the normal sand hazards - fore!!

Keep your Head Down !

Grave consequences for Out of Bounds

The Churchyard is Out of Bounds to golfers. This is one hole they will not want to get down. Actually, its a good course, the West Cornwall, with great views of the Atlantic. Must be fun when the wind is up though.

Out and about

A favourite short ride takes me over the Cornish Penninsula to St. Michaels Mount. Its easy to join NCN 3 near Hayle and head over via St. Erth to the Mount.

Trying to keep TW and TMIL out of the shops

Saint Michaels Mount

No importuning?

They seem to be concerned in St. Ives about the illegal tuning of imported musical instruments. Have to say the value of this sign is limited if you have to look in the dictionary to see what offence is. I checked to make sure we had not importuned inadvertently, I don't suppose ignorance would be a valid defence.

Meaning of Importuning:

Beg persistently and urgently

Crikey, just the sort of thing I might do when trying to get out of shopping!

On the bike to Sennon Cove - 48 miles

Surf and Bird

Another fine day in Cornwall. Headed off down the Saltings and picked up the little blue signs that told me I was on NCN 3.
Pedalled over to St Michaels Mount and then turned right for Penzance, Newlyn and Mousehole.

The tide is out in the village of  Mousehole

On the Mountain Bike today

What a lovely ride along the south coast, lots to see along the way and very little traffic. After the pretty village of Mousehole there was a steep climb up to the farmland and a fast run to Lemorna. From there the NCN 3 route continued to St Buryan and on towards Lands End. I turned off at Sennon and enjoyed a steep downhill to the Cove where TW and TMIL were waiting.
After a good Cornish Lunch at the Old Success Inn, the obligatory Pastie and Pint, it was back along the wild and windy North Coast. Followed the signs to St. Just and then hugged the coast on the way to   Carbis Bay. Good circular ride, enjoyed the morning more than the afternoon but nice to be out on the bike in Cornwall in November. Just made it home in the gloom, need lights after about 4pm at this time of year.

Sand and surf at Sennon Cove

Old Tin Mine on my route

Lazy Day in St. Ives

TMIL has a latte at the Tate

Bit of a dull one today, after a bit of a wander in Town we headed to the Tate for a coffee. There's a Cafe up on the 4th floor with a great view. You don't have to look at the exhibits or pay entry.
The cobbles in Fore Street caused TMIL a  few problems with her rollator so she insisted on a Latte.

The Harbour at St. Ives on a dull day

Porthminster Beach on a damp day

Austrian Mountains and English Brake Levers

The hills are alive!

Last of the Autumn rides - in Austria

After making best use of the fabulous weather in Austria it’s time to head home. The day has arrived to get the train back to Munich and the flight back to Heathrow.

Waiting for a train in Bad Hofgastein

Oh well, never mind, back in time to join a Wednesday ride in the Chiltern Hills. The English hills might not be quite so ‘alive’ as the Austrian Mountains but the Chilterns can cause a bit of pain and suffering. The climbs can still be pretty steep although mercifully somewhat shorter.

Marlow to Chinnor and back

We started with a coffee in Bergers before heading off to Chinnor and a nice Lunch at the village centre. On the way we took in Sprigs Holly Lane, now that is a lively hill!

Not so high but can be steep

View from the ridge

For the run home it was a climb up Aston Hill on the A40 and then on past the Turville Windmill and down to Fingest. The beeches were Golden, the sun was often hidden by cloud, but nice to be home. And very nice to be out on the bike.

Stony ground

Which Lever Operates which brake?
Now, I confess that I am easily confused. This is a bit daft, but I found I had to keep looking down when operating the lever to see which brake was moving. Quite by chance I noticed that my bike in Austria has a different brake configuration to my UK bikes. In the UK the right hand operates the front brake and the left hand the rear. As I automatically use the front brake more than the rear its the front brake blocks that wear out most often. On my Austrian bike I found that I was changing the rear blocks most often and that's because the brakes are the other way round. The right lever operates the rear brake. I also do a lot more fast descents over there.
Think I will have to swap the Austrian bike over. After all, a Motor Bike always has a right hand front brake. Not sure why its different in Europe though, maybe its something to do with hand signalling and when turning Left in Austria, across traffic, its considered to be safer to operate the rear brake?