Take a hat

Out on the bike in Dorset Up on the Purbecks with Corfe Castle in the background Swanage Station and the 34028 Eddystone Million Pound View on a One Pound Ride - Sandbanks Ferry And the next train is the 2pm from Swanage to Corfe Not a bad way to travel but my transport of choice is the bike of course. Easter Monday was brilliant weather for cycling - sunny, not too hot and very little wind. 

End of the Ski Season in Bad Hofgastein Last run of season on the Nord Abfahrt With a late Easter in 2014 the lifts on the Schlossalm were open until the 21st April.  It has been a decent year for snow. No massive dumps but very timely top-ups throughout the season to keep things ticking over. Only the Valley runs were closed.  A cold snap in mid April meant that conditions were perfect for our last day, the 17th April. We needed our Thermals on the 15th and 16th as the temperature was minus 10 Celsius and windy brhhh! A cold snap in April brings new snow A brief return to Winter on the Sendleiten on the 16th April A balaclava and thermals day in April H4 to the Middle Cool run in April Last day - waiting for the 08:26 bus New Snow, blasting complete on the Hohe Scharte so time to ride Nice snow on the Stubnerkogel as well Our home piste - the Haitzinglam from the Sendleiten Not too busy on the Haitzingalm today Top of the T-ba...

Sunny day Skiing on the 14th April The air was crisp and fresh and the snow to the middle station was perfect. On a day like today it is difficult to beat Sportgastein. No queues for the Gondola and friendly people on our shared rides to the top. It's not always like that, there can be dumb, glum snow-boarders or free-stylers intent only on on their next run. It can be icy first thing in the morning but not today, just soft powder. TW enjoyed the Blue Run and a great lunch at the Valerie Haus. It was standing room only for the ride home on the bus but we had the front seats. TW is an ace at bus-boarding these days! The view North down the Gastein Valley towards Bad Hofgastein Giving a lift - the T-Bar at Bad Hofgastein Looking out from the gondola

Spring in the Alps in Austria A very late Easter this year so the lifts are running until April 21st. A very good opportunity to get some late season skiing. Fresh snow meant the snow conditions when we hit the slopes on the 26th March were absolutely perfect. Whilst other resorts struggled with a lack of snow we had loads on our pistes - and very few people. We did take a day out to Dienten and the Hochkonig but the snow there was a lot thinner so we were glad to be back on the slopes in Gastein the next day. Empty seats on the Hohe Scharte chairlift On the Hohe Scharte - now shall I take the Nord or the Sud Abfahrt? Wonderful mountains - snow on the rocks A stone splitter blooms above 2000m Plenty of elbow room at the Haitzingalm Room to turn and run Saturday Party at the Weitmoseralm On the South Facing side of the Angertal Valley it is getting green On the North Facing side of the Angertal Valley the runs are parfect Two Gentlemen from Br...