Europe 2011

Vienna, Austria

25/062011 We spent Wednesday night back in Salzburg with Willie and Roswita, who showed their brand new kitchen with a huge dinner.

On the way back from Salzburg, we made a minor detour around Mondsee Lake, below;

Crossing the bridge at the eastern end, very spectacular countryside. We had a lunch appointment at Graz with a childhood friend of Susanna's.

We also made a major detour to the world's biggest ice cave but got there too late. Simply the drive up the switchback road was impressive enough - that buses made it up there even more so.

On Friday, we visited Susanna's Aunt who is living alone but with live in care, bearing cake. In the afternoon, Berliners Volker and Enke flew down from Berlin for the weekend. They had been in Perth for a year and had stayed a few weeks with us. We spent the evening in town, and I managed my 7th desert of the day.

The weather on Saturday was kind of ordinary (wet) so we spent it in the middle of town, checking out museums and art galleries including 3 exhibitions in the Albertina alone.

Der Blaue Reiter (the Blue Rider), the permanent Batliner collection and the US pop artist, Mel Ramos.

Volker workers for the German Government in Energy and was on the phone quite a bit given that this was around the time of Fukushima. Here it is Sunday and we are at the Summer Palace of the Habsburgs, Schönbrunn Palace, in the gardens.

Volker being confused with a camera in his hand instead of the phone. The palace and Vienna are in the background and we are in the shade of the Gloriette at the top of the hill.

And all four of us.

A portrait of Suz at yet another cafe . . .

After walking through the empty Markets quarter, one final art gallery, and dedicated to 'modern' art, Secession or Goldenes Krauthappel (Golden cabbage head).

We escort the Germans to the airport bus stop and send them on their way. Monday was spent catching up on emails and a bit of work. We drove over to Susanna's brother, Andreas, to borrow his bike and we then ride out to Weidling where Peter Auer's mother lives to pick up a pair of cycling shoes. (Actually, a large bag with camping gear . . . ). We went along the Danube on a cycleway that ran under the waterside freeways above.

That night we went to the theatre to see some Shakespeare. I am not a huge fan of Shakespeare and so did not feel that the modern German used in the play made it any harder for me to understand. What I was impressed with, were the huge entrances and massive hallways linking cloakrooms with toilets and bars and the side rooms that ran six stories up the side of the actual theatre hall which was itself, rather small. Outside, building does look as grand as the opera house, see above.

Wednesday was another exqusite day in the sunshine and from a resturant high up in the woods behind Susanna's parents' place there is a terrific view of Vienna. Afterwards, we went for a walk in them. From a cycling point of view, Vienna has some very beautifully wooded hills, brilliant for mountain biking or riding with the roadbike.

Thursday was a trip out to the other side of Vienna to catch up with an old colleague of Susanna's, Andi and his wife, Sabrina for a bbq. Friday was a final look at the old town (and investment in fine European chocolate by my good self) and dinner with Andreas and Ushi, sister in law.

Saturday, 4th June, 2011. Pack and fly home (but not before leaving my wallet on the car seat!)