Snow-shoeing in Bad Hofgastein
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Looking out at the Baerstein
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After a morning of skiing we opted for the gentle option of snow-shoeing down from the Middle station. The funicular railway rattled its way up from valley through the snow to our starting point. Snow shoes were strapped on and we headed South. With two feet of snow, the conditions were perfect for a big-footed stroll. Of course, we needed to take on some fuel first and where better than the Baerstein Alm, a short walk South from the Middle Station. It's the cosiest place on the mountain and there is no better view on a cold and snowy day than the one from a Baerstein window. The food is great as well! I had the Schweinebraten, a Pork dish and TW had Kaspressknodel, a cheese dumpling. Both good traditional Austrian dishes. This post-Christmas and New Year week is very quiet and there were very few people in the Alm. We chatted with a chap from the Bergrettung (mountain rescue) who was out on his Alpine ski's and popped in for a warm up. A couple of walkers joined us having walked from Das Goldberg, a posh Hotel that overlooks the town. With them was beautiful Border Collie. TW asked the couple for the name of dog, as she always does, and they replied that it was not theirs but had joined them on their walk! They had called the dog Lassie. Not very original but nice and easy. TW introduced herself to the collie and it then parked under our seats. Johanna brought the dog a bowl of water and we joked that she had gained a new dog as a friend to her beagle.
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| TW gets a lead from Lassie |
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| Lassie looks down to home |
Of course, when we made our way out, it was the English that were the newly adopted sheep to be guided down the mountain. Our self-appointed canine guide headed South and Lassies come hither look meant we had to follow. The first part of the route was on a little used ski run so it was easy going for Lassie. When TW dawdled, our sheep dog dropped back and made sure she kept up! When we hit the deep snow, Lassie did not mind. If a waggy tale is a sign of a contented dog then Lassie was deliriously happy. Sometimes all we could see was the top of her wagging tail making its way down like a furry snowball. As we approached the village we started to get concerned, how would we send Lassie back to her home? We asked a guy clearing his drive. He said we should throw something at her and run. Nooh! We could not leave her by the main road. The Schloss or Castle loomed up. The Schloss was open for coffee so we went inside followed by Lassie. We talked to the waiter and he suggested a plan. He would keep Lassie in the cafe for ten minutes as we beat a swift retreat.So when Lassie was looking away we legged it for the door.
Once through the glass doors we looked back. Lassie was pawing at the doors with a look that could have melted the mountain. We headed home. That night, TW heard heard a dog wailing by the River.
Was it Lassie?
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