Europe 2011
Gastein, Austria
A beautiful day and a walk in battleship boots to a 'hut' at 1502m - note that the flat is at around 850m. Here is Susanna on a bridge halfway there - after a number of tunnels because of very crumbly rock and ice and snow.
The view across the valley a little further on.
And further on, and further up the hill. Problems with my right ankle swelling up, means I continued barefoot.
The view via my sunglasses, of the 'Alpenhaus' Poserhohe, and the postcard, below.
Back down off the mountain, the boot is back on and waiting on the bus.
Above, walking back to the flat from the bus stop, we were about half way the left hand mountain. Yes, the grass does look that good. On Tuesday, after the pain of walking, we ride the bikes to another Alpenhause, this one is up a hanging valley, past Bad Gastein, Prossau, 1300m, 30km return.
We had to go through Bad Gastein to get there. Bad Gastein has been holiday destination for Royals, but those days appear over. Now it is the masses and their skis. Susanna and a view of the Gastein valley looking north - we are going east.
Up the smaller valley of Poser to the Alpenhause. Refilling with water out the side of the mountain.
This is one of two waterfalls, bikes in the foreground. Below is the Aplenhaus at the end of the trail, no access by car (only the owners). Everyone either walks or rides - about 5km from the nearest car park.
After lunch, a bit of a walk to the other waterfall, well off the beaten track. A photo of the sun speckled forest floor on the way - blue berry country, just a little early.
The waterfall, then a gentle roll down hill home. Sort of, occasional downhills were on brakes. Wednesay, a 2 hr ride into the hills just before returning to Salzburg. Uphill in the granny gear and downhill on the brakes.
About 20 minutes into the ride, on a switchback heading south, that is Susanna up ahead.
A little later, a little higher (look at the mountain), another switchback heading south, still Susanna way up ahead. I think the highest point was 1268m before we lost height on a unsealed road. Below, is a view of the valley we went to the previous day, we had just passed the railway bridge.
And we visit Bad Gastein, yet again. The famous falls that the old town surrounds.
Sometime just after lunch time, a minor detour to the way home, an up market Alphhaus near Hof Gastein and a Salzburger Knockel.