ALL IN A DAY'S TRAVEL SKI VILLAGE - LAKE VILLAGE-Phil & Jill

I woke early this morning at 5.30am probably because the curtains were open so as not to stop the view for one moment and the morning was breaking with the full moon still shining against the mountains. What an exhilerating feeling to wake up to.

20190719_055817

This led to a brillant blue sky with just a few whisky white clouds. We were still taking photographs in the fresh morning air. It was like we wanted to suck in the atmosphere from here and never forget it.

20190719_092231

But all good things come to an end to use the cliche, we bid our farewells to Marlena who sort of treated us like family. We do hope our paths meet again. If Phil has his way, it is a certainty.

20190719_090022

On the short walk to the station, Phil did his final bit of research at this Alpine store and got Domonic as a contact should he wish to come again.

20190716_172716

At the platform we realised there was a little shelter shed at the side and noticed a silver box which stated, push the button no more than 5 minutes before the train is due, to request it to stop!! Our dinky little train duly came into sight around the curve blowing its by now familiar tinny little whistle. Sound carries in the valley and the whistle was competing with cow bells in the nearby wooded area and the church bells. Could this area be any more perfect. It was warm and sunny when we mounted the 9.40am train. We chugged down the valley which seemed to have a strong pull on the downhill grade. The driver was taking it very cautiously at some of the narrow parts. The chalky acquamarine Salzach River, with its many rocks and rapids tumbled down beside the railway track. Our eyes were more attuned coming down and the names more familiar. We recognised the other chairlift at Bamberg and the small glacier at Kaprun. There is so much in this Pingzau area.

Arriving at Zell am See we changed trains to a larger Rex product No train. We only had a 15 minute wait. We peacefully started towards Salzburg when the loud whistle on the train blew continuously and the brakes were hurriedly applied. We thought it was going to crash. Fortunately it appeared that a van that I think was trying to jump the tracks crashed into the boom gate bringing down the green signal for the train driver. The van was skewed sideways but there didn't appear to be anyone injured and after the conductor went down and noted the relevant particulars we took off again after probably what was a 20 minute delay. We admired the scenery all the way along typical mountains, meadows and buttercups and arrived in Salzburg around 1.00pm.

We immediately went to the OBB train ticket office and asked advice on our forward plans. The lady was very helpful and gave us her advice and timetables for going to St. Gilgen, St Wolfgang, Halstatt and Vienna. We worked out that we will stay at all the places we have planned but come back via Salzburg and train to Vienna. It is about 34 euros dearer than taking the ferry and train from Halstatt direct to Vienna but the Hotel + will keep storing our heavy main bags and this way we can travel light.

All done we caught the 150 bus from Patform F right outside the Salzburg main station, 18 euros for 2 one way and drove for an hour out of Salzburg. The traffic was heavy most of the way. Phil could only connect to a long and well formed bike path. I tell you, he is addicted!! The area we are staying at for the next 12 days is called the Salzkammergut area and is a limestone mountain range in Upper Austria. It is where in former times the Princes and Archbishops of Salzburg used to hunt. Franz Joseph also used it as a country house location.

The area is famous for its extensive hiking trails, cycle paths, rock climbing and water sports. St Gilgen (named after St Giles) is the home of Mozart's mother and his sister Nannrl spent some time here when married to a civil servant who came from here. So the Mozart is used in lots of places in the town

We found our B&B accommodation easily as it was not far from the bus station. There are 2 stops for the bus for this town. The first one at Helloweg which is near the supermarket but a big walk to the bottom of town where we are staying. So we were grateful to the driver for taking us to the bahnhof stop. Our B&B was up 2 fairly steep set of stairs, another good reason why not to have too much luggsge. The room was bright and
sort of quirky. Yellow being the predominant colour. We both commented that Jodi would love this room.

Opening the balcony door the Mozart fountain, the Town Hall and the church down the street were my first visions. Austria never fails to impress.

20190719_152953

In contrast to where we were in the mountains where practically everyone was Austrian and we were strangers, this town is very touristy with hardly a local walking around. Very nice though. We have also noticed that big tour groups are dropped at the fountain in Mozart Platz (just where we are staying) and given about 30 minutes of free time to make their way to the lake.

However at night around 7pm when we went to dinner, it was so peaceful and quaint. The flowers in the window boxes and the park are noteworthy. There are really colourful, well tended and maintained.

20190719_204159

We had just finished dinner of a delicious pork weiner snitzel when we heard marching music and around the corner came a full orchestra marching whilst playing their instruments in full traditional dress including hats with feathers on top.

20190719_195356

20190719_195358

The sound of the band carried throughout the village and as we walked to the lake we came across the band installed and playing in the local bandstand. We had seen a group of locals heading down this way from our restaurant and sure enough they were audience listening to the rousing tunes. Each item was introduced by a spokesperson (of course it was all in German so we didn't understand any if it except Strauss). We sat down with the casual audience just out to enjoy some local music on a Friday night.

We left around 9pm as it was just starting to get a bit nippy and walked to the lake which is very pretty.

20190719_205126

Finally we turned back to the Das Stetn B&B where we are staying.

Lots of people were out strolling and they were lined up at the local ice-cream stand.

The lights were starting to shine in the streets on our way back giving a yellow hue to the colourful buildings. We greatly enjoyed tonight and feel very relaxed. In fact it has been another differing and fulfilling day. I know we are going to enjoy a restful 4 night stay in this town.

20190719_211541

20190719_211132

20190719_211709

20190719_205839