EXPLORING SALZKAMMERGUT 2

St Gilgen - Going up !

We've come to Austria to see mountains so today we set off by ferry to the village at the end of the lake, St Gilgen where there is a chairlift that takes you up to the mountain top.

It's not a very high mountain as mountains go but 1600 metres is ok by us.

The views from the top were tremendous !

Absolutely breath taking. 

I am using the photo as my new header on Facebook. Isn't it fantastic ???

The weather has been very changeable. Probably typical for Spring but the afternoons usually mean sunshine so we've been pretty lucky.

The cameras got a pretty good workout I can tell you !

Walking by the lake

On our previous ferry trip we noticed a walking track a from Furberg to St Gilgen so after a rainy morning we once again caught the ferry towards St Gilgen but got off at Furberg.

The water was still and glassy as we travelled past pretty houses

And trees of glorious colours with wonderful reflections 

Everywhere you look it is all so pretty

We hopped off the ferry at Furberg and set off along the path, water on one side and green, green trees on the other.

Love these green tunnels !

It was Mothers' Day and several groups passed us on their way to lunch at the nice restaurant at Furberg.

A lovely walk. We really enjoyed it .

Cheers.

EXPLORING SALZKAMMERGUT

Off to Hallstat.

On the train from Bad Ischl and it wasn't long before these superb views appeared.

My little point and shoot camera took these photos through glass windows as we sped along. Not bad eh?

Then I spied Hallstatt in the distance on the far side of the lake.

On to the ferry with lovely views all around.

The closer you get, the prettier it looks.

This small village is jammed up against the mountainside.

Ah, there's the famous church!

and there's another one perched high on the hill.

We wandered off in one direction

snapping away in all directions .

Not many tourists today as it is very early in the season. Lots of building and maintenance being done in preparation for the hordes of visitors to come in the warmer weather.

Then back and up

to the other church which had the most wonderful graveyard.

Neat and covered with flowers.

Then further on till we came to a spot to turn around 

and lo and behold there was that famous view !

Now stamped firmly on my memory.

Cheers.

ST WOLFGANG

When we arrived last Tuesday the weather was rainy.

Not the sort of rain we get back home that comes down strongly, a couple of inches in half an hour but the gentle, misty sort that makes you really wet because you don't think it's worth sheltering from.

Wednesday morning brought a bright sunny day and we set off to wander and get our bearings for a week in this pretty place.

Our apartment is in a 400 year old building that looks down on this little square with its trickling fountain-- a soothing sound when the window is open.

Just round the corner and down the hill and you come to the lake

Smooth this morning and blue, blue, blue.

The buildings are all in this style. Pure Austria !

Of course there are plenty of places for a coffee and cake or a drink.

(I can't believe the way they drink beer so early in the morning here !)

Walk in either direction along narrow laneways and you eventually come to water

With seating arranged so you can sit and soak up the sun - as they love to do - or laze in the shade - as we do !  - and gaze at the beauty of the scenery before you.

Here is a map of the area. Note St Wolfgang is right in the middle so we can explore in either direction.

We'll give it our best shot.

All that walking worked up a need for hot chocolate and cake. Strudel (again for Tony. He said it was the best one yet ) and rhubarbstrudelkuchen for me . ( better than strudel I think )

Walking in the other direction gives you a nice view back towards the village with the church at its centre.

There is very little traffic through the village and no parking so you park outside the village and walk in.

The late afternoon sun shines directly into this lovely place and it is soon filled with drinkers or people having dinner.

 This was about 7:30pm. 

They seem to eat dinner at our sort of time here not late as they do in Paris.

 We joined them for Weiner schnitzel served with buttered potatoes and cranberry relish

and wandered home as the light began to fade around 8:30.

No complaints here. 

Cheers.