THAT'S THE WRAP - Phil & Jill

Well this is my last entry for this holiday. Eight weeks have flown by but how wonderfully they have been filled. We have done all and more than we had hoped for. We will have a lot of information to follow up on such as some good reads on WWI our guide in the Somme, Francis recommended. Further historical information on building of civilisations and for Phil putting together all the cycling information he has gathered. I could be a bit busy too sorting a few (thousand) photos into various photo books. But all that will be so enjoyable bringing back beautiful memories.

Our last couple of days in Vienna has entailed finishing up stuff, organising to get to the airport. We finally worked out where to catch the tram close to our apartment. We could see it for a way on the road as normal, but then it vanished. We enquired at the main train station but they were rather blunt and said the tram doesn't come near here and vaguely waved their arm and said Line D and pointed out the door. We eventually found it and got down to the Opera House where we were in familiar territory. We walked the full length of the pedestrianised Karntmer Strasse to St Stephen's Cathedral. The street is the high end shopping of Vienna with every major brand shop represented.

We have been to Vienna twice before and it rained on both occasions. As we set off yesterday we said well at least we will see Vienna in sun. Would you believe it whilst we were having an iced coffee in one of the sidewalk cafes, a heavy thunderstorm swept in. Pretty dramatic but didn't last long so by the time we came to leave it was fine again. We just thought it was the gods letting us know they were aware we were in town!!

To finish off our stay we took a visit to Albertina, a fine arts museum situated in a former Hapsburg Palace. They had a special exhibition on of art collector Herbert Batliner who died earlier in 2019 and left his valuable collection to the Albertina.

He had Monets, Klimt, Renoir, Sisley, Cezanne, Gaughin, Signac in his collection. Can you imagine one man having so many famous artworks.

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They also had exhibitions from Sean Scully and Herman Nischt

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To finish off we visited the State Rooms of the former palacr.

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Vienna is a very stately city and the setting of one of my favourite books 'The Hare with the Amber Eyes'.

Phil was very keen to follow a new craze over here - power assisted scooters.

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The last day of the holidays....you have to be joking Phil!! Those things go like the wind!!

We caught the No 1 bus from the Opera stop to Laurenstrasse, the underground stop. Up on the lift to street level, dinner and bed.

Thanks to everyone who was kind enough to keep in contact with us. We love sharing our adventures and also hearing back from friends from home and abroad.

Au revoir!! Til next time.

Phil & Jill