Take a hat

Castleman Trailway The Castleman Trailway is based upon a disused Railway Line that originally linked Southampton with Dorchester. It is well worth a day in anyone's cycling life. We started in Poole and ended up in Brockenhurst, ready for a beer and the train back to Bournemouth. On the way we passed through Broadstone, Wimborne and Ringwood plus The New Forest.

Back to Work again! Somehow we managed to successfully move house between the ski holidays so the final ski tripof the winter was a bit more relaxed than usual. Bad Hofgastein had its best winter coat on. Plenty of friends were around and TBIL was over for the week that coincided with TW's birthday. First Beer of the trip - on the train from Salzburg Happy Days at the Aeoplanstadl A smart snowman above Angertal TW lunching in Grossarl

Irving in London A trip to London and a visit to the Royal Festival Hall beckoned in February. A quick trip to the Tate Modern and a coffee at the top was a good way to fill in time. The concert was good too - from Rags to Ritzes - the Irving Berlin Songbook. Lots of interesting biographical details between the songs. Amazingly Irving could not read music or play the piano properly. Did pretty well regardless. Thames from the Tate Modern I was probably reading the Sports pages TW ready for Dinner In the Royal Festival Hall

Back to Work After the Christmas trip home it was back on BA to Salzburg. The snow conditions were much improved and the sun was shining. Not much snow in the valley so only the man-made langlauf was open. TW ready to go A lot of the Langlauf was still closed in the valley - time for a stretch Balls without snow in the village The Haitzingalm open for business

Catching up on December Traditionalists argue that skiing should not really start until after Christmas. Well, this year they were happy! The Alps were short of snow in December 2014 and although we had a week of skiing in Sportgastein the lifts on the Schlossalm were firmly shut pre-Christmas. It was still enjoyable though and we had some good walks and fine meals. View from the Stubnerkogel and the empty bowl towards Angertal Spider view on the Stubnerkogel TW in the Spider There is some snow on the ground Krampus is coming Christmas Market - time for a Gluwein Hans and the boys on their Alpenhorns Cold in December Bockstein - a quiet day at the Market Tied up on the grass Beasts Lovely Bad Hofgastein morning Flying home for Christmas!

Summer Walks TW cannot get enough of Dienten so another day trip in the car was scheduled in September A ride up on the double chair, a walk to the Steinbock Alm followed by a sunny walk back to the village. Dienten Dienten and the Hochkonig Steinbock Alm

Red Arrows return It's a noisy weekend in Poole and Bournemouth when the Air Show is on.  Three years ago one of the Arrows crashed and the pilot was lost. This gives the display extra importance. Red Arrows Heart in the sky Branksome Chine The boats head home Lancaster flypast

Ride around London in August Prudential Ride London is an opportunity to ride a bike around London with dodging traffic. The Tower of London was a highlight. The Poppy tribute to the Commonwealth fallen in WW1 was still work in progress but very impressive. Poppies at the Tower Birdies in the Park TW near Horse Guards Racers on the Mall

Well, it was a busy year.  Austria - June and July 2014 Nassfeld - a perfect day for a bike ride I really like the ride up to Sportgastein. It basically follows the river, a few testing climbs on the way before reaching Nassfeld. This translates to 'damp field' which fortunately it is not. It is open high pasture surrounded by towering mountains. Alms are dotted around. Our favourite in 2014 is the Valeriehaus by the Car Park. Great food stunning views and nice owners. Looking South at Nassfeld Dienten Smartest Alm is the Steinbockalm above Dienten Dienten is under an hour from Bad Hofgastein. It's a high mountain village in the shadow of the Hochkonig. TW had not been to the Steinbochalm before but it has now joined her list of favourites. The Alm is fairly close to the top of the double chair and its a nice ride up and pleasant walk down. The design is a modern twist on a traditional Austrian wooden building. Dienten The new reservoir above