Austria in October

Walking on the Schlossalm in October

TW in the frame

The early snow has melted and it looks a bit bare on the Schlossalm. The cows have gone, the wild flowers have ceased to bloom and the tourists are now few and far between. A nice time for a circular walk.

Austria in Summer 2015 #2

September in Austria

A cold friend on the hill

A bit of snow is not unusual in September but it came as a bit of a shock to us. We were told before we came that it had been wonderful weather all Summer. When we turned up the weather turned as well.
No matter though, the cows don't mind the cold. Even so, they have to be taken down the mountain because with 40cm of snow they cannot get at the grass.

TW gets into ski gear

A really cold and wintry scene presented itself at the top of the Cable Car. No matter, it soon warmed up.

Wintry scene in the Park

Get stuffed - Short of staff at the Alte Post?

There are some pretty elaborate Autumn displays outside Hostelries and Farms.

 Imagine that people have a lot of fun making up their Herbst displays.

Pedalling upwards at Dorfgastein on my 29er.

A favourite ride in Dorfgastein takes me up to the Grubner Alm. Ham and Eggs with a beer is a welcome reward for a hard climb. Always a good welcome the most favoured hut.

Reward for a long climb, ham & eggs at the Grubner Alm

Gretel - the resident pig at the Grubner Alm

Gretel is famous in the Valley. She is a mini pig that thinks she is a cat.  She roams the surrounding hill but comes running when the boss lady whistles.

Chocolate dipped Goats on the way up to Biberlm?

Not sure why these goats have such distinct front and rear ends. Will have to Google it one day.

The unspoiled scene near the Wiedneralm 

TW stops for a decaff at the Cafe Sonnberg above Bad Hofgastein

A walk around the Schlossalm See - snow making reservoir in Winter

Austria in Summer 2015 #1

Trips to Austria in the Summer of 2015. 

Walking on Graukogel

Walking Rule 1 - never look at a map

The first trip was in June/July and involved the usual mix of walking, cycling and eating.

The most memorable walk was to the Palfner See. A lovely sunny day made for a pleasant ride up on Graukogel chair-lift and then a wander on a fairly level track to Palfner See. We planned to head back on the same path to the lift for a bit of lunch but AG consulted a map! An alternative lower path proved to much lower than it looked on the map and was probably only appropriate for Mountain Goats. So the rest of the day was spent walking downhill to the village.

Walking Rule 2 - take food if you are not going to pass a Hut

We walked on in an advanced state of famine.

Walking Rule 3 - don't walk downhill it ruins your knees.

Walking Rule 4 - take water - at least we got that right.

Not always Summer