tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15578564009495543762024-02-19T13:55:00.421-08:00Trip to Europe April, May and June 2011A trip to Hamburg and Basel looking at railways then time in Paris with a side trip to Bordeaux. From Paris, Mary and I then travel in easy stages to attend a family wedding in Austria.Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-44943098601635302402011-06-14T04:59:00.000-07:002011-06-14T04:59:01.623-07:00Monday 13 June - Home againWe arrived home 30 minutes early. The Vienna City Airport Train worked well and we were able to check our bags right through to Ottawa. There was a minor problem with Mary's ticket - the sort of thing that only the check-in staff know - and fix. Making the transfer in Frankfurt was harrowing because there were few signs telling us where to go. Airports are the worst part about flying but aircraft are not much better.Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-8207824099238987512011-06-12T06:58:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:40:52.223-07:00Sunday 12 June - Sebersdorf to ViennaWe both feel very tired today. We have come to realize that there is a cumulative effect to all this traveling and now that our objective has been achieved all we have to do is to get back to Vienna - and sleep. The first duty in the morning was to do a moth patrol to liberate all the prettily patterned insects that had found their way into the room.<br />
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We had a good breakfast, much of it spent with Alex, who is currently at Glasgow University. The taxi had been booked for 0930 and he arrived precisely on time - to the second. He took us to the Bad Waltersdorf station and then we argued over the fare - he only wanted 2 euros and we though that was too little. In the end we gave him 5 euros and he took it but said "That is too much".<br />
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While waiting for the train I took a look at the rail fastenings. Four lag screws for each tie plate with the rail being secured by two nuts with spring washers. The ties all had date nails in them - they looked to be 04 or 05 which is very recent. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-12YOqTZwlZw/TfTMSi9cQjI/AAAAAAAABRs/gEurm2W5uTo/s1600/5824673050_5e287b283e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-12YOqTZwlZw/TfTMSi9cQjI/AAAAAAAABRs/gEurm2W5uTo/s640/5824673050_5e287b283e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The train arrived just a couple of minutes late and we made the transfer to the bus and back without incident. Easy when you are expecting it. We finished up abut ten minutes late at Wiener Neustadt and caught a local Wiesel train into Vienna. This proved handy as it not only went to Wien Meidling but also Wien Mitte which is only one stop on the U-bahn to Swedensplatz. I was surprised to see the men working on the roadway today, a Sunday before a holiday.<br />
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Lunch was Wiener Schnitzel/Boiled beef and beer. Have now checked in with Air Canada.<br />
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Supper was a hot dog from a wurstel stand. Take a roll, cut a small piece off the end and shove it on to a stainless steel spike to hollow it out. Fill it with mustard or ketchup, or both and then shove a wurst into it. Dessert was at the ice cream parlor at Schwedenplatz where they serve an amazing variety of sundaes and other ice cream based treats.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Click below to see my pictures of Vienna </div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626787874973%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626787874973%2F&set_id=72157626787874973&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626787874973%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626787874973%2F&set_id=72157626787874973&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;">Click below to see my pictures of Vienna trams.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626787867083%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626787867083%2F&set_id=72157626787867083&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626787867083%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626787867083%2F&set_id=72157626787867083&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;">Click below to see all my pictures of Austrian Railways (OBB)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626670658151%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626670658151%2F&set_id=72157626670658151&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626670658151%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626670658151%2F&set_id=72157626670658151&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-40064930394456730302011-06-11T05:12:00.001-07:002011-06-20T04:35:58.179-07:00Saturday 11 June - Sebersdorf<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was pleasant knowing so many people at breakfast. We had a long talk with Oleh and Elfi who were looking after their brand new grandson. <br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VC-_004IiPw/TfTYWlDWjMI/AAAAAAAABSk/z6KuA4fUcUQ/s1600/5824174653_4afe8e8577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VC-_004IiPw/TfTYWlDWjMI/AAAAAAAABSk/z6KuA4fUcUQ/s640/5824174653_4afe8e8577.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The walk into Sebersdorf was interesting. There were many cherry trees in fruit and the countryside is very varied with mixed crops (pumpkin, corn etc.) in the low land and forests on the hilltops. Downtown Sebersdorf consists of a fire station, a very nice lily pond and a bank with an ATM. The station is way out of town on the other side of the highway. We had a beer on the way back and directed a couple from Vienna who were wedding guests and who didn't know where the Schloss was.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field of pumpkins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RymyIpMsdhI/TfTYYm9hYiI/AAAAAAAABSs/LJRZGJYiVSo/s1600/5824762876_d32b430c7e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RymyIpMsdhI/TfTYYm9hYiI/AAAAAAAABSs/LJRZGJYiVSo/s640/5824762876_d32b430c7e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sebersdorf fire hall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oVZm3Lafx0Q/TfTYZ1-1y7I/AAAAAAAABSw/fKqLmx8JGw4/s1600/5824773432_0e6a1c473e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oVZm3Lafx0Q/TfTYZ1-1y7I/AAAAAAAABSw/fKqLmx8JGw4/s640/5824773432_0e6a1c473e.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An ancient lightning rod (1876)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Family wedding and reception at the Schloss Obermayerhofen in the afternoon and evening. The chapel dates back to the 1600s. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HVbXpiwPsbg/TfTYdPEwFHI/AAAAAAAABS4/cQOvwubOFAQ/s1600/5824811034_f707057779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HVbXpiwPsbg/TfTYdPEwFHI/AAAAAAAABS4/cQOvwubOFAQ/s640/5824811034_f707057779.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LGYgXFY0S2g/TfUDvOSfT3I/AAAAAAAABTA/chJSwa_qu_Y/s1600/5824256167_c3dda5f492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LGYgXFY0S2g/TfUDvOSfT3I/AAAAAAAABTA/chJSwa_qu_Y/s640/5824256167_c3dda5f492.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E1LMFkqdkf4/TfUDwOZH_zI/AAAAAAAABTE/d1Obht8DvMY/s1600/5824814374_558bda2ecc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E1LMFkqdkf4/TfUDwOZH_zI/AAAAAAAABTE/d1Obht8DvMY/s640/5824814374_558bda2ecc.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a rumor that the priest was locked in his room and couldn't get out. Our lock was difficult so this was understandable but he managed to get to the church in time</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OAXb0cEDyjE/TfTYd8_zP9I/AAAAAAAABS8/mME_1UwsiJg/s1600/5824818872_d9dbd090a9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OAXb0cEDyjE/TfTYd8_zP9I/AAAAAAAABS8/mME_1UwsiJg/s640/5824818872_d9dbd090a9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dessert not only looked good - it was good.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626818407409%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626818407409%2F&set_id=72157626818407409&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626818407409%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626818407409%2F&set_id=72157626818407409&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;">Click above to see pictures of Sebersdorf</div></div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-54107915715684260522011-06-10T08:42:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:29:45.181-07:00Friday 10 June - Sebersdorf at LastWe had plenty of time this morning and got to Wiener Neustadt in good time to catch the 1200 diesel Wiesel to Bad Waltersdorf. This was the final leg of my journey which started in Frankfurt over seven weeks ago. We settled in knowing that a taxi would be waiting for us in Bad Waltersdorf (not Sebersdorf) to bring us to the Schlosshotel Obermayerhofen. About an hour before we were due to arrive and there was an announcement to the effect that we were going to have to get out and get into a bus, then back into a train at Hartberg. Ah well, the best laid plans.<br />
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The bus was not completely unexpected as there was something on the departure board at Wiener Neustadt which I didn't understand. The bus was almost as fast as the train by stint of driving through a team track, across a hotel parking lot and over a couple of sidewalks. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijc9SQ5iNiZ0JOi-0p0yMlWbZplr8DgtVkcMBV8Dkx-Px-s6Yb5PvjPm6uJf0pYc81-ZkgPm6irMhSteWkinztotzYkb5jgWEjwpLk_hAbjilVPhPglSlsn2dXvXZxjoexficP1lqNHT22/s1600/5824573918_6bbf271195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijc9SQ5iNiZ0JOi-0p0yMlWbZplr8DgtVkcMBV8Dkx-Px-s6Yb5PvjPm6uJf0pYc81-ZkgPm6irMhSteWkinztotzYkb5jgWEjwpLk_hAbjilVPhPglSlsn2dXvXZxjoexficP1lqNHT22/s640/5824573918_6bbf271195.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad Waltersdorf at last!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>We were only a couple of minutes late and the taxi quickly brought us to the Schlosshotel. We have an enormous room with a four poster bed. The grounds are extensive and many parts have been allowed to grow naturally.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmVHGoMtaAwEUySkCSxkVhpIHW8DOJLsbagUBdr7LuxaAS9a7hY5JYJtY1aJxo7KjGpE76-nH1uV0PkkP7Hf8UvpYmycidj80ow8V_4l4eW2iIJngU41lmfgMUuS0FHHH_3Lq2WXG640s/s1600/5824593090_4b42a4f468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmVHGoMtaAwEUySkCSxkVhpIHW8DOJLsbagUBdr7LuxaAS9a7hY5JYJtY1aJxo7KjGpE76-nH1uV0PkkP7Hf8UvpYmycidj80ow8V_4l4eW2iIJngU41lmfgMUuS0FHHH_3Lq2WXG640s/s640/5824593090_4b42a4f468.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schlosshotel Obermayerhofen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDt2NqeBnMUyAb5ewb2kJ14GOy76q1EsYf8zU0ZaAZve5-pz_NbebxaBbXJuyi71Ixg1v3Ow4rQcFvFvSli0j0FH9HkX8ZLsYL6ZiM7Psc8S-Ao7p0WriZ2UshvBILHy0cRDCSeVbUhZD/s1600/5824025951_1ea6dbc087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDt2NqeBnMUyAb5ewb2kJ14GOy76q1EsYf8zU0ZaAZve5-pz_NbebxaBbXJuyi71Ixg1v3Ow4rQcFvFvSli0j0FH9HkX8ZLsYL6ZiM7Psc8S-Ao7p0WriZ2UshvBILHy0cRDCSeVbUhZD/s640/5824025951_1ea6dbc087.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old farm house where the party took place this evening</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19MbIByR5b5WniuvDAc8IVxfk9003aVWDOpU378dUMhT_RXPe2N1oU-4xHDd6w_ycJHRHX4_AbQD7x0Cv3Qbf7LJ0_VGRlItD6M1WHGN4AJXE-3kkWkpRGV0j4R-3A9omMFbv9FAIRCUc/s1600/5824034741_97b3439295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19MbIByR5b5WniuvDAc8IVxfk9003aVWDOpU378dUMhT_RXPe2N1oU-4xHDd6w_ycJHRHX4_AbQD7x0Cv3Qbf7LJ0_VGRlItD6M1WHGN4AJXE-3kkWkpRGV0j4R-3A9omMFbv9FAIRCUc/s640/5824034741_97b3439295.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pond had lots of frogs, bullrushes and small leaf water lilies.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCspVC_CiX-ln_MJG01HcPcAyzldbjfJ3iwlk7BU63GatHPqNMB0rxZ0oIeG_M75gTKbqFjolwpuYwtPwwMiJQhL4Q_cAelx5eKoT-hprhFWJ0wVr-Z6IyuMq4GzL-Lood771mt9LKnCm2/s1600/5824584504_af8f9c8e48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCspVC_CiX-ln_MJG01HcPcAyzldbjfJ3iwlk7BU63GatHPqNMB0rxZ0oIeG_M75gTKbqFjolwpuYwtPwwMiJQhL4Q_cAelx5eKoT-hprhFWJ0wVr-Z6IyuMq4GzL-Lood771mt9LKnCm2/s640/5824584504_af8f9c8e48.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our room</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j2jLvF5YMtA/TfTXND27tJI/AAAAAAAABSA/JzzbKzxtHzI/s1600/5824718096_e26eb6c1cb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j2jLvF5YMtA/TfTXND27tJI/AAAAAAAABSA/JzzbKzxtHzI/s640/5824718096_e26eb6c1cb.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ceramic room heater lined with firebricks - it was fed from outside</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16f1O4bvcYEVUyY0HhZ36IWQsCufktQpQXoRyK5AAmNfNPFZDX7JajUykMplk7db6RpOWaMuUUfI4KqgvZwMTpJ1tvnqDvs0zl_WZGiPA7UjZiyNK65v1AY3tclhgCM8BpSOuhFXia_-z/s1600/5824742406_b4fdf19a3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16f1O4bvcYEVUyY0HhZ36IWQsCufktQpQXoRyK5AAmNfNPFZDX7JajUykMplk7db6RpOWaMuUUfI4KqgvZwMTpJ1tvnqDvs0zl_WZGiPA7UjZiyNK65v1AY3tclhgCM8BpSOuhFXia_-z/s640/5824742406_b4fdf19a3b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The entire hotel is devoted to the wedding group and we were very quickly introduced to some very interesting people. They came from all parts of the world – Philippines, France, Holland, Germany, Lichtenstein as well Austria.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The party was a lot of fun with lots to eat and drink. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O6kE5SZCZs4/TfTXIs3WZkI/AAAAAAAABRw/yhWh3Kinyq4/s1600/5824163027_3007430bb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O6kE5SZCZs4/TfTXIs3WZkI/AAAAAAAABRw/yhWh3Kinyq4/s640/5824163027_3007430bb2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was an impressive selection of schnapps to try.</td></tr>
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</div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-21180100857870334162011-06-09T13:51:00.000-07:002011-06-20T08:48:25.876-07:00Thursday 9 June - MariazellerbahnOf the many highlights to this trip, today must rank as one of the biggest so far as railways are concerned.<br />
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We took the U-bahn to Wien Westbahnhof and caught the Zurich-bound RailJet to St. Polten getting there on the dot at 0957. At Westbahnhof, the normal exit from the U-bahn was closed so we had a little difficulty in finding the station. First class in the RailJet is very smooth and pleasant. We were standing next to a double decker suburban set which are branded "Wiesel" - with a picture of a weasel on the side.<br />
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</div>The narrow gauge (960mm) electric(6.6kv ac) line to Mariazell has caused the OBB some headaches in recent years. Two new electric multiple units were delivered in 1994 but the OBB had trouble with them and older equipment was having to stand in. There was also talk that the line, or part of it, would be converted to standard gauge. The latest information I had was five years old so I didn't know what to expect. I was blown away when I saw our train backing into the platform - ancient passenger cars and an OBB narrow gauge 2095 class, built 1958-62, diesel hydraulic. The vacuum brakes had been coupled up and I nearly flipped when I noticed that the supposedly Bo-Bo trucks were using side rods.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1ox19T89gJQpUZCEmFdzvYpNtVO1llz7wAyJ1uW-XFAao9P6GpSfqwZaY8VM17tbrsWbVZvPD84IJzVjv8wwlHAe_OSQdU7uJN4TWsPhHQxjmJSu3NP1ocJEe6DE_dSxHP1CMEJ0ddMt/s1600/5815576079_8d52b59e57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1ox19T89gJQpUZCEmFdzvYpNtVO1llz7wAyJ1uW-XFAao9P6GpSfqwZaY8VM17tbrsWbVZvPD84IJzVjv8wwlHAe_OSQdU7uJN4TWsPhHQxjmJSu3NP1ocJEe6DE_dSxHP1CMEJ0ddMt/s640/5815576079_8d52b59e57.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our train being backed down to the platform at St. Polten</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjo8KGyqlhU3xVNDDnuPsBMbqNyzMAv91fCHvTDEJ8_7_1bf7A1-NW-dwzfcVKz3Ihtcvt7sT3hj1oF8YyU2CPNlJmNkMzUpYbCbpSO7Kn8_RHSQpkxNoU8ph4Yig26EjZ_gyMLOJ8aT1Q/s1600/5816156346_c3d7836ae1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjo8KGyqlhU3xVNDDnuPsBMbqNyzMAv91fCHvTDEJ8_7_1bf7A1-NW-dwzfcVKz3Ihtcvt7sT3hj1oF8YyU2CPNlJmNkMzUpYbCbpSO7Kn8_RHSQpkxNoU8ph4Yig26EjZ_gyMLOJ8aT1Q/s640/5816156346_c3d7836ae1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 60 year old diesel hydraulic with side rods.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4yI812HynmLWp1ePCW3F577FyH0n6fHYylC6mmdzXDE-hIOeAp-l8MgrJdNyxlNXW_T5zHpqOT0RcGQhV4-5wG-cZs8pCe1U1RrmPGgPp7axEb9H_arfpi0W1wHUMuCkVSh85R1lz4rj/s1600/5816168156_a4ecbdbb52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4yI812HynmLWp1ePCW3F577FyH0n6fHYylC6mmdzXDE-hIOeAp-l8MgrJdNyxlNXW_T5zHpqOT0RcGQhV4-5wG-cZs8pCe1U1RrmPGgPp7axEb9H_arfpi0W1wHUMuCkVSh85R1lz4rj/s640/5816168156_a4ecbdbb52.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Settling in for the 2 1/2 hour ride to Mariazell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our Eurail Passes were not accepted on here so we paid cash. 55 euros for the two of us round trip for a five hour journey in splendid country seemed pretty good value. Things got even better when I observed the incoming train. The locomotive had side rods but it also had a pantograph and was one of the electric locomotives built for the line in 1909-1914. A centenarian!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFVieChcKg6mD1w6gMQBYnoV2iPrDjq5z407p4dlnlhckiUsImlpYKJ3ZJ-vtwY_t0keTVR1qll1hFAPhB2RY54oMqo_B1scLTugf_C5o-H1QiS2dE-HbE6Yuxzo-oYmAJjZhlizrE53_/s1600/5816187110_be9ef2506f.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFVieChcKg6mD1w6gMQBYnoV2iPrDjq5z407p4dlnlhckiUsImlpYKJ3ZJ-vtwY_t0keTVR1qll1hFAPhB2RY54oMqo_B1scLTugf_C5o-H1QiS2dE-HbE6Yuxzo-oYmAJjZhlizrE53_/s640/5816187110_be9ef2506f.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The incoming train at St. Polten is hauled by a 100 year old electric with side rods and a jackshaft drive gear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The first part of the journey is through farming country, some market gardening but some dairying with forests on the hilltops. We saw rabbits and deer in the fields which were covered with molehills and poppies. The further we went the steeper the valley sides and the character changed to heavily wooded, steeply graded, deep valleys with very little sign of human habitation. There were high alpine meadows with lots of wild flowers and, in places, ferns, heather, dog roses and moss. There was some beautiful karst scenery but only for a short period.<br />
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Our first meet was with a diesel railcar - no sign of the new electrics. At Boding we crossed another of the original electric locomotives. A centenarian electric passing a 60 year-old diesel. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7ZSPw_1v5bRKFf7e3ANRhOmKLMDsnLA8XQhMFz4xgmAherKdxjp0AXsTl1cTCoy18Kwh9A5CzUUPHbKtbsfxa6rho4WPLa5LS8Uuw8jJOZ29XF3PUaw-Xc9OGbUhg1LdHl8a4lBjIX4Q/s1600/5816209076_bfba9ba4fa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7ZSPw_1v5bRKFf7e3ANRhOmKLMDsnLA8XQhMFz4xgmAherKdxjp0AXsTl1cTCoy18Kwh9A5CzUUPHbKtbsfxa6rho4WPLa5LS8Uuw8jJOZ29XF3PUaw-Xc9OGbUhg1LdHl8a4lBjIX4Q/s640/5816209076_bfba9ba4fa.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing a diesel railcar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwUfF3OuQnQhXctZu5m4dbBwz_6LZ_BhnPe7cq7oiL8QrVBCiU0KmTo9qAOx9P_E0Jy4FC6-lmGccQcrBX0aBEnXoUL3fv7grPYszadNSGWubgJ1PFpbY9KhDE8kFOaIIqMkvappUPTXz/s1600/5816226390_8fb2a67ee1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwUfF3OuQnQhXctZu5m4dbBwz_6LZ_BhnPe7cq7oiL8QrVBCiU0KmTo9qAOx9P_E0Jy4FC6-lmGccQcrBX0aBEnXoUL3fv7grPYszadNSGWubgJ1PFpbY9KhDE8kFOaIIqMkvappUPTXz/s640/5816226390_8fb2a67ee1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing a loco hauled train at Boding.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Arrival at Mariazell was exciting. We were on time at 1257 and a train was due to depart at 1300. There was another train with another electric locomotive, painted brown, waiting but this was reserved for a later train, so our diesel had to run round, couple up and do the brake test. It left three minutes late which was a pretty creditable performance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmIl7kgDSrpKJAPpVtSXdCRLXyIam0v-W4dMeCnw9_2sHAU74c3F81sNYCnl9RXTJB6bPHaZvbPOPzdq06zPHddmcBolVVbrc0xd6bArVJA6ia4S7iJ_OF1JMDRRciKQPEF1qj45cD4H9/s1600/5816272542_84faa315c0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmIl7kgDSrpKJAPpVtSXdCRLXyIam0v-W4dMeCnw9_2sHAU74c3F81sNYCnl9RXTJB6bPHaZvbPOPzdq06zPHddmcBolVVbrc0xd6bArVJA6ia4S7iJ_OF1JMDRRciKQPEF1qj45cD4H9/s640/5816272542_84faa315c0.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running round at Mariazell</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>It was good to move around after 2 1/2 hours sitting on hard seats and we needed something to eat and drink. The town of Mariazell is a pilgrimage destination and this was not the pilgrim time of year. As we walked into town, all the cafes, restaurants and hotels were closed. We finally came to the centre to find the church which was surrounded by a mess of pilgrimage/tourist junk. We did find a cafe konditorei open and had lasagna and iced tea.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWvBYAOZRzU/TfHEHoMmo5I/AAAAAAAABRU/ow_JQR1ag08/s1600/5815770635_a3310b2707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWvBYAOZRzU/TfHEHoMmo5I/AAAAAAAABRU/ow_JQR1ag08/s640/5815770635_a3310b2707.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tie date nails are used in many places, this one was at Mariazell.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>We hurried back to the station, stopping only for some honey cake, to find the yard completely devoid of trains. A look at the timetable showed an arrival about five minutes before our train was due to depart so I got ready for a private run-past. Sure enough, the brown electric locomotive, reappeared, side rods flashing, and ran around so that we could achieve an on time departure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKts4p529WPFwFSjfa9vff_WU-8IfOGyO7VEXVlKmRQCqiFx26HdtELWiiJJECmyTg-5hXylF69C0JdsMuEJ5WPmhkjdAYwPmFWqyACdgQE56pXGLlu4mFGrG7kd2oIVNFb-1RtSgTmYP/s1600/5815781907_2e4416858a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKts4p529WPFwFSjfa9vff_WU-8IfOGyO7VEXVlKmRQCqiFx26HdtELWiiJJECmyTg-5hXylF69C0JdsMuEJ5WPmhkjdAYwPmFWqyACdgQE56pXGLlu4mFGrG7kd2oIVNFb-1RtSgTmYP/s640/5815781907_2e4416858a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at Mariazell for a quick turnaround</td></tr>
</tbody></table>These old electrics seem to require a little coaxing to start. There is a bit of a pause and the humming increases as the engine moves gently forward. There is a fair bit of slack in the couplings so the train is started gently like a freight train in steam days where the strain is gradually increased as the slack is taken up one by one. There is some banging around of the cars and, when they are all going in the same direction, the speed is increased. Pretty soon the only noise that can be heard from the front is the whirring of the side rods.<br />
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We had a sudden stop just before Boding and then drew gently into the station. It was announced that we would have a ten minute rest - while we were waiting for a late train to pass. An opportunity for another private run past. I got out to look at the old timer gently steaming from the roof. To top it off the errant train, when it arrived, was hauled by another centenarian. I was lost for words watching two centenarian electric locomotives pass each other on regular service trains.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for a meet at Boding</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qnGsCpahqbs/TfGwWpClw0I/AAAAAAAABRQ/V97nYfT94kY/s1600/5816399640_63015ab5c6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qnGsCpahqbs/TfGwWpClw0I/AAAAAAAABRQ/V97nYfT94kY/s640/5816399640_63015ab5c6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4xwQcpX5yCpypltgQI4P22qCyccFd6iE8tqjs6aZ1XHEv5K9TRLbQ956UO-NjO5uzwf34eFtbWew8CeeM8z-8z1iab04__lagJTxZ0JMU1slO5Sjl_mVshb0wSXLDyZD1y-xfAEbJwOC/s1600/5815849399_5754856c5f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4xwQcpX5yCpypltgQI4P22qCyccFd6iE8tqjs6aZ1XHEv5K9TRLbQ956UO-NjO5uzwf34eFtbWew8CeeM8z-8z1iab04__lagJTxZ0JMU1slO5Sjl_mVshb0wSXLDyZD1y-xfAEbJwOC/s640/5815849399_5754856c5f.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vacuum brake cylinders are large</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7n2O32UtJAg8K1T9gvBuhyUTnFGN3h9ZGxjplbpVJbfyFITEtvzs881ZwmStGNauI_vznVKPgjiHrLY9RDv4O8EqH0gKXNUjk8cmUkO-6i3_SEsnDL2Jpg8Ka_22sPPLisbkMZL9O1sB/s1600/5815845983_8b3767774b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7n2O32UtJAg8K1T9gvBuhyUTnFGN3h9ZGxjplbpVJbfyFITEtvzs881ZwmStGNauI_vznVKPgjiHrLY9RDv4O8EqH0gKXNUjk8cmUkO-6i3_SEsnDL2Jpg8Ka_22sPPLisbkMZL9O1sB/s640/5815845983_8b3767774b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet between two centenarians</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Running 20 minutes late, we passed two other trains hauled by these old electrics as well as a couple of diesel railcars.<br />
<br />
The track seems to be in pretty good condition which is a good sign. There are a number of bridges including several curved viaducts in both stone and concrete. Speeds are limited to 50 kmph for the electric locomotives and 60 kmph for the diesel locomotives. I didn't see any of the electric multiple units all day. <br />
<br />
The Mariazellerbahn also runs a steam locomotive and I saw a derelict one outside a roundhouse at Ober Grafendorf near St. Polten.<br />
<br />
1099 class locomotives seen this day:<br />
In operation: 01, 02, 07, 08, 11, 13.<br />
On the St. Polten shop track: 04, 10, 14, 16.<br />
<br />
Although there was some smart station work we were unable to make up any time and we missed our planned connection back to Vienna at St. Polten. We caught a late running local that stopped at all stations to Wien Westbahnhof. It was a comfortable double decker Wiesel that ran as smooth as silk on the excellent roadbed and there were good views from the top deck.<br />
<br />
We had an inkling for Wienerschnitzel and stopped off on the way back to the hotel. The place we had in mind was full and we were in no mood to wait - besides, there were lots of oriental tourists, all with guidebooks in their hands, so we went to a hotel restaurant. The schnitzel with potato salad was excellent. A good end to an excellent day.<br />
<br />
Click here to see all my pictures on Flickr <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/colinchurcher/sets/72157626804223819/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/colinchurcher/sets/72157626804223819/</a><br />
Click below to see my pictures in slide show format.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626804223819%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626804223819%2F&set_id=72157626804223819&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626804223819%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626804223819%2F&set_id=72157626804223819&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-11179550348007799062011-06-08T06:49:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:27:33.788-07:00Wednesday 8 May - ViennaAs we were finishing breakfast I could see a tram stuck just by some track workers outside the hotel. It was there for about ten minutes seemingly unable to go ahead or back up. People started to get off and a number of trams were backed up behind. It might have hit some construction equipment.<br />
<br />
It started out pleasant today and we walked through the old town and enjoyed the architecture.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRTN8N9_wejs9kxGMkEJZyRhUgq1YM8S3dc2uUgS7npdMf9GLUV-mTFPoUnLDUA_eh60PfgsiMUqxAPepyhGZD7JUBO6s7116Up1EJ01Bpmv0GX69P_jm_kWcxmzWC9_XJuM1P5bLc2MU/s1600/5811389981_9711d4fb57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRTN8N9_wejs9kxGMkEJZyRhUgq1YM8S3dc2uUgS7npdMf9GLUV-mTFPoUnLDUA_eh60PfgsiMUqxAPepyhGZD7JUBO6s7116Up1EJ01Bpmv0GX69P_jm_kWcxmzWC9_XJuM1P5bLc2MU/s640/5811389981_9711d4fb57.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imaginative use of old cans</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6OveJz2nx4wVstqOMB8uFVvouSauHg_pV4RPkigL7931iPt-WXzF4b55gareCbU46bj3iCaF1rhOqi9IMxCJMNlYCHmRocVoD6UtbJEPo8GbBn0G4KqLO3ZCHlXkjd1EszK-TMyFcnM-/s1600/5811397451_d7de4625db.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6OveJz2nx4wVstqOMB8uFVvouSauHg_pV4RPkigL7931iPt-WXzF4b55gareCbU46bj3iCaF1rhOqi9IMxCJMNlYCHmRocVoD6UtbJEPo8GbBn0G4KqLO3ZCHlXkjd1EszK-TMyFcnM-/s640/5811397451_d7de4625db.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PNUw221pVZg/Te-D0F69zAI/AAAAAAAABQI/qN9X2ZnZBSA/s1600/5811956676_91447336c7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PNUw221pVZg/Te-D0F69zAI/AAAAAAAABQI/qN9X2ZnZBSA/s640/5811956676_91447336c7.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Having bought 24 hour transit passes we took a 1 tram around the ring. We stopped in at the hotel to grab rain gear then took 2 tram then a D tram to Schloss Belvedere. If anything, this is looking even better than when we were here before, the statues in the formal gardens have all been cleaned. The views across Vienna were stunning.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEies89IVBmiU7TwOiINWrcltCKJaDQR7SN2JorJrrRyNzAbbYo67xNlRRFF8gIEQ9WMGWg-sdaAIdxdMh5KwNNzlcLhgPsk7uXJ-z1t0JO7blJeVc9DHd0WDP8eSEZfSomq6AddSsX_SbCK/s1600/5811428571_aa1fdd3b54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEies89IVBmiU7TwOiINWrcltCKJaDQR7SN2JorJrrRyNzAbbYo67xNlRRFF8gIEQ9WMGWg-sdaAIdxdMh5KwNNzlcLhgPsk7uXJ-z1t0JO7blJeVc9DHd0WDP8eSEZfSomq6AddSsX_SbCK/s640/5811428571_aa1fdd3b54.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jXZ3Xb8K0UM/Te-E9sBNn8I/AAAAAAAABQQ/bGLEV3woBmE/s1600/5811434029_2670af0446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jXZ3Xb8K0UM/Te-E9sBNn8I/AAAAAAAABQQ/bGLEV3woBmE/s640/5811434029_2670af0446.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ISmv7JlDLbg/Te-E_K7BchI/AAAAAAAABQU/S2Upx2H5mbw/s1600/5812001756_6130ca502e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ISmv7JlDLbg/Te-E_K7BchI/AAAAAAAABQU/S2Upx2H5mbw/s640/5812001756_6130ca502e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mistletoe</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZIXX3NNmYtwDjTAuTBDeegx7614FoU72_rzO_YNPvoNMMJUCWkrOCaVE9EUl3LGCtaZ3AnVpkkzVrfaYw_WV97tU65TZx2P-mrW24j3Cv0j77b0gutS92b1moieEq6NKHhO-PmfdoMIs/s1600/5812004316_baa6f5ea67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZIXX3NNmYtwDjTAuTBDeegx7614FoU72_rzO_YNPvoNMMJUCWkrOCaVE9EUl3LGCtaZ3AnVpkkzVrfaYw_WV97tU65TZx2P-mrW24j3Cv0j77b0gutS92b1moieEq6NKHhO-PmfdoMIs/s640/5812004316_baa6f5ea67.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>At the exit from the Schloss there is a strategically-placed sign for the Salm Brau next door. We have been here a couple of times before and have always found it reliable and good value. They brew the beer on the premises. I had a litre and Mary a half litre. We had spare ribs for two. The picture doesn't really do it justice because a third rack is hidden under the top two. The sauce was excellent and a little spicy. We thought of Pat - beer in litre mugs, barbequed racks of ribs and fries.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pF0HOEgRlWM/Te-DyHpD1WI/AAAAAAAABQE/hjitXrzMKY4/s1600/5811441271_ea03b844d1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pF0HOEgRlWM/Te-DyHpD1WI/AAAAAAAABQE/hjitXrzMKY4/s640/5811441271_ea03b844d1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WkSF197O5nc/Te-D1PYpG2I/AAAAAAAABQM/chD_W0YzjtE/s1600/5812008522_335f6ea6f5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WkSF197O5nc/Te-D1PYpG2I/AAAAAAAABQM/chD_W0YzjtE/s640/5812008522_335f6ea6f5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b>Wall to Wall Trams</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrZ-3RYGvQ7oXQ1DXJLtmKpRNw_Ej5p1fnZ0rd_9yfYFyHukhszeHWamq4oT5RICiekxI-mLpDbV0eIhrX1Cy3MF11fVNfEOFjoQSppgihQTIhuBmj33hdwWwZAe-rpdoxU5P3YsjXBWq/s1600/5811889432_42f3104e2d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrZ-3RYGvQ7oXQ1DXJLtmKpRNw_Ej5p1fnZ0rd_9yfYFyHukhszeHWamq4oT5RICiekxI-mLpDbV0eIhrX1Cy3MF11fVNfEOFjoQSppgihQTIhuBmj33hdwWwZAe-rpdoxU5P3YsjXBWq/s640/5811889432_42f3104e2d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the downpour</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHkaqM0520LC7oSCTdb4stYefXFwfYU8WSC6a-Lp8LSe1dYEZ-AAaPc9ooSPoK12VzNOZHmIGmpmGPuYW6k0nB1kbCYBCBxlFfLqm8wTSuw0-6R0thj6TADqmhdA45aNvEFP2UtBuMWLW/s1600/5811891544_ac8b68845a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHkaqM0520LC7oSCTdb4stYefXFwfYU8WSC6a-Lp8LSe1dYEZ-AAaPc9ooSPoK12VzNOZHmIGmpmGPuYW6k0nB1kbCYBCBxlFfLqm8wTSuw0-6R0thj6TADqmhdA45aNvEFP2UtBuMWLW/s640/5811891544_ac8b68845a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Its now beginning to rain quite heavily</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>We took the D tram back into town and it began to rain very heavily indeed. We got off at the Ring and intended to return to Schwedplatz. We managed a couple of stops then everything came to a grinding halt in the clockwise direction. There were trams backed up for as far as we could see. A man was gallantly wading through the water changing the switches by hand trying to extricate some trams with routes away from the Ring and short turning others. With nothing particular to do we just stayed in the dry watching the fun. The amazing thing about all this was that we could see blue sky in the distance so the storm wasn't very wide.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h-lTh6huXz4/Te99AQR62hI/AAAAAAAABPg/UAbQgSAJYrQ/s1600/5811329251_635e839481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h-lTh6huXz4/Te99AQR62hI/AAAAAAAABPg/UAbQgSAJYrQ/s640/5811329251_635e839481.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DGGOkM8fp0mWRLkHVxeE7Cg4PVK0dirVz7cfFIt1zt-5fFEEJ69f0h8VMCMkJvOK9lM9MQr11xTyXR56je-vTGkS26mDiY1l_-LMIFVg_DcV51KRmA804EJnYjpNQYZ-DWxRc4KHoQHt/s1600/5811334173_4f81bf1a25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DGGOkM8fp0mWRLkHVxeE7Cg4PVK0dirVz7cfFIt1zt-5fFEEJ69f0h8VMCMkJvOK9lM9MQr11xTyXR56je-vTGkS26mDiY1l_-LMIFVg_DcV51KRmA804EJnYjpNQYZ-DWxRc4KHoQHt/s640/5811334173_4f81bf1a25.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Nwnnlz-2-0FMI_2e-jkFMRwyhay9zXWfiUeyVWD3gj8A1iHPaUrqJbIkxw5BDtcT4pg6YeQ99atf03DjgFObj3DPEyDE0w7ne7VPmRGg2duRcaO8Z1THeUna0u7mBf7sxw6h514qcK4K/s1600/5811906054_2e92e0a00d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Nwnnlz-2-0FMI_2e-jkFMRwyhay9zXWfiUeyVWD3gj8A1iHPaUrqJbIkxw5BDtcT4pg6YeQ99atf03DjgFObj3DPEyDE0w7ne7VPmRGg2duRcaO8Z1THeUna0u7mBf7sxw6h514qcK4K/s640/5811906054_2e92e0a00d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Short-turning a tram on the Ring can interrupt traffic</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>We finally caught a tram back to Schwedplatz - it changed its destination a couple of times but we weren't bothered at all. By the time we got into the hotel the sun was shining brightly.<br />
<br />
We went out for a walk around the old town later. The ice cream parlors were doing a fine business and many people were sitting outside. We came across the square in front of the Rathaus which was given over to benches and chairs with a ring of drinks and snacks sellers around the outside. People were having a great time. We found the Cafe Central which we had visited last time and stopped for an Aperol Spritz. It began to rain and we went inside where a pianist was going full bore, including "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head" which was very appropriate as the rain, thunder and lightning intensified.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhep-XQAK-64optWO1-LuEhs7upDuBBbwLT_nNz4VGx7HPYI3hZOAueGvkS-_2Swh6VAicqYMkouJctKedt9l4UJ-7TGHmzbHnNUGFA5rVtMwq-6vk6MizlXdw9TwGJzYEwLbPusRfCNXnH/s1600/5812098505_61b1451bfd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhep-XQAK-64optWO1-LuEhs7upDuBBbwLT_nNz4VGx7HPYI3hZOAueGvkS-_2Swh6VAicqYMkouJctKedt9l4UJ-7TGHmzbHnNUGFA5rVtMwq-6vk6MizlXdw9TwGJzYEwLbPusRfCNXnH/s640/5812098505_61b1451bfd.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Altenberg used to be a regular patron of the Cafe Central. He was a witty chronicler of early 20th century Viennese life </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Many people came in from the downpour, including a couple that were wearing plastic shopping bags over their heads. We made our way back to the hotel in a slight rain. The Rathaus party was completely abandoned.Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-62219885141286371762011-06-07T08:08:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:25:42.332-07:00Tuesday 7 June - Prague to Vienna1039 Prague to Wien Meidling 1522<br />
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There was a lot of heavy rain in the night and consequently there was a great deal of standing water in the countryside.<br />
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The trip to the railway station was pretty easy because we had lots of time and the Prague metro is easy to use and quick. However, it is deep and the escalators are very fast indeed.<br />
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The station is set up using numbered platforms rather than tracks. Most platforms are islands so there are two tracks to each platform but they are not differentiated by a letter. When the intending traveler arrives at the posted platform he doesn't know which side his train is on. Admittedly there are good platform signs but this is compounded further by the fact that platforms are very long and trains may start from either end. Thus it is possible for four trains to start at the same time from a platform with the same number. There are excellent electronic boards showing the composition of the train but no sector indications. Maybe they don't know where the drivers are going to stop the trains. The first train in Europe ran into a station very close to here from Linz almost 200 years ago. It is amazing, that in 200 years the railway hasn't thought this through.<br />
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The entire train was Czech equipment but the locomotive was Austrian, thus ensuring that we would make it through. We were in the one first class car right next to the locomotive and the air conditioning worked throughout. It was only three quarters full but all tourists either Orientals who had enormous cases or Indians who hadn't a cluse where to put their cases. As we started off there was an announcement enticing us to come to the dining car where a sumptuous new gourmet menu awaited us. We went to the dining car and were ceremoniously handed a menu which was full of exciting things such as salmon, beef, chicken, pork, dumplings etc. When he came to take our order the waiter explained that we could have anything we liked on the menu provided it was chicken but he could prepare it in any of the ways shown such as with horseradish sauce. We settled for spinach-stuffed chicken with spinach and smashed potatoes. The potatoes were pretty good and there was garlic in the spinach and big chunks of garlic in the stuffed chicken. The meal was fine and we washed it down with a Pilsner Urquell (Colin) and Velkopopovich Kozel (dark) (Mary). It should be mentioned that there are very few railways now that have dining cars where the meals are prepared from scratch on board. We paid the bill in Czech money and left a tip which consisted of our remaining Czech shrapnel and two Prague tram tickets. The air conditioning in the Dining Car had failed so we were happy to return to the cool of our car.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RR2SEZfx170/Te6GIxEnSeI/AAAAAAAABO8/VPStt5oTH38/s1600/5809601142_30864eba9f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RR2SEZfx170/Te6GIxEnSeI/AAAAAAAABO8/VPStt5oTH38/s640/5809601142_30864eba9f.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>On leaving Prague the WC had no toilet paper (the train started at Prague and should have been fully provisioned). Somebody complained and the conductor was seen carrying a roll of Czech army sandpaper for our toilet. I bet one of the second class toilets was then without paper.<br />
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We were stabbed twice by freight trains although there is so much slack in the schedule that we were still able to make the time to the border. A slack timetable allows for sloppy operating. At Breclav the Czech crew were replaced with an OBB Austrian crew and the last part of the journey was accomplished quickly. We left Wien Simmering on time but had a good run through the work on the new station so we arrived 12 minutes early. The Vienna subway is very easy to use and we quickly found the hotel - there are trams going past our balcony. Vienna has the largest tram system in the world.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOsPs2Wd6R6HhTex3pCJ2DHeJQu61TXUmaybdapaZw_Qf-IeNL7WOs1d-FRmKjb2wr3an29B-mu4xCwPuY3YXD3Ux8biXEtZHocQWD4Z8GmYTLsjxaGyRnvnw7NReiUC9F8FvJ4blpIbK/s1600/5810413299_49da4b60ba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOsPs2Wd6R6HhTex3pCJ2DHeJQu61TXUmaybdapaZw_Qf-IeNL7WOs1d-FRmKjb2wr3an29B-mu4xCwPuY3YXD3Ux8biXEtZHocQWD4Z8GmYTLsjxaGyRnvnw7NReiUC9F8FvJ4blpIbK/s640/5810413299_49da4b60ba.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Specially painted tram for service around the Ring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In the evening we found a restaurant in the old city and had goulash/spinach dumplings. Some work is going on at Stephansdom and we just caught the end of an organ recital.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtLjMOCmfFqZaFT-HvES7re71ZlyBfQ_n6RolMY_f4HhM0oYPu3M6nSANmG76WquvyzcP8-IAHKIWZcfG1rTnxSkVleHVjER6nPTyZblaXWW0DKypElA7ZykxWQUfsthFJJk2CUiVSWWG/s1600/5810417409_54695320e3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtLjMOCmfFqZaFT-HvES7re71ZlyBfQ_n6RolMY_f4HhM0oYPu3M6nSANmG76WquvyzcP8-IAHKIWZcfG1rTnxSkVleHVjER6nPTyZblaXWW0DKypElA7ZykxWQUfsthFJJk2CUiVSWWG/s640/5810417409_54695320e3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrNPxm6_wBRy2_Ieu0Y9bkoonxVvOjSHK-5k-que8cFRiUiVvhYzAdsJlfLclARSpzqLomCuBkGNqVByGTe2-mBwydUbbjfqINxIpmHfOegwqqlqrlgTW2_9WHbmWQBRBTm_5k1tnO9jw/s1600/5810421759_60d8f18f41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrNPxm6_wBRy2_Ieu0Y9bkoonxVvOjSHK-5k-que8cFRiUiVvhYzAdsJlfLclARSpzqLomCuBkGNqVByGTe2-mBwydUbbjfqINxIpmHfOegwqqlqrlgTW2_9WHbmWQBRBTm_5k1tnO9jw/s640/5810421759_60d8f18f41.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexgp5qQHuOMmX6e4umuOQ3uWYi1uRS8sIO8q-BVL2G3AMud8SDkd8kYAc2UZHDxYkhcsMY25cMG1ZQyK11SZuWcFb0JCz7KsgNPua1rboWuq3q784-WBeDCSSnhmIQg1YwdffLQKFXEYz/s1600/5810985116_174c298005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexgp5qQHuOMmX6e4umuOQ3uWYi1uRS8sIO8q-BVL2G3AMud8SDkd8kYAc2UZHDxYkhcsMY25cMG1ZQyK11SZuWcFb0JCz7KsgNPua1rboWuq3q784-WBeDCSSnhmIQg1YwdffLQKFXEYz/s640/5810985116_174c298005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-5037540383464918462011-06-07T07:49:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:43:45.525-07:00Monday 6 June – Last day in Prague<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Our first effort was to ride the funicular to Pettin Hill. On the way there I discovered a Grand Union at Strossmayerova namesti – all the legs were being used as well as the straight through routes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3qtDJJWYfaFABuuNJQG4BaDQ9YeLAiBu8OMUfLZMlF7YM8gbKOdFAMx0BMU2uwD2fNa0AU_jgLzFxNDwBby1LiFkSnjzLeceq8SRNr33L0LnsqbqYvwU1fdhqWrciLpxHXlRYLgOEB6e/s1600/5809811492_d5237c623a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3qtDJJWYfaFABuuNJQG4BaDQ9YeLAiBu8OMUfLZMlF7YM8gbKOdFAMx0BMU2uwD2fNa0AU_jgLzFxNDwBby1LiFkSnjzLeceq8SRNr33L0LnsqbqYvwU1fdhqWrciLpxHXlRYLgOEB6e/s640/5809811492_d5237c623a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It is easy to miss the entrance to the funicular as in Valparaiso and it was a hot and unpleasant ride to the top. When we got there we found a nice display of roses but there were no views to be had and no way of knowing what there was to be seen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6kIwXnxp-s/Te5_Wwn_kUI/AAAAAAAABOs/jgXeeL_bcnM/s1600/5809389708_02a6292537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6kIwXnxp-s/Te5_Wwn_kUI/AAAAAAAABOs/jgXeeL_bcnM/s640/5809389708_02a6292537.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>There was an enamelled map purporting to show the area but this had been turned on its side, there was no compass rose and there was no way of knowing where we were on the map. In addition the map was covered with a large number of red arrows that didn't seem to relate to anything. Exasperated , we gave up and came down and transferred to a 22 tram to try our luck at the castle. It was crowded and we had difficulty in figuring out where everything was. There was a Tourist Information Office but the only humans in there were selling tickets so we were not able to get a plan. At this point we said === it and decided to come back into town – at least we managed this in the same transfer ticket.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBHRienkbWg/Te5_YOsasNI/AAAAAAAABOw/sHD4VgzDLYI/s1600/5809402058_e2fd5e9062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tBHRienkbWg/Te5_YOsasNI/AAAAAAAABOw/sHD4VgzDLYI/s640/5809402058_e2fd5e9062.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GHNhprZvQHY/Te6BSS8yzYI/AAAAAAAABO0/AzRNSF-XafY/s1600/5809415686_b25e8e2ff4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GHNhprZvQHY/Te6BSS8yzYI/AAAAAAAABO0/AzRNSF-XafY/s640/5809415686_b25e8e2ff4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found a table in the shade on a terrace on an island in the river and had a drink then lunch. The views from teh island were very peaceful compared to the rest of the city.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">A short walk brought us the the Frank Gehry building, the Dance House and then caught a tram back to the hotel. The clouds had built up and it began to thunder and rain very hard.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5wmNJwNarU/Te5_VhHEqrI/AAAAAAAABOo/JjtdxROPytg/s1600/5808860301_5b1b74f08c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5wmNJwNarU/Te5_VhHEqrI/AAAAAAAABOo/JjtdxROPytg/s640/5808860301_5b1b74f08c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SekEfz6yjWg/Te5_Tz839_I/AAAAAAAABOk/wVNF-llfO_8/s1600/5808815899_6c83a6ddfd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SekEfz6yjWg/Te5_Tz839_I/AAAAAAAABOk/wVNF-llfO_8/s640/5808815899_6c83a6ddfd.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">We went out later for dinner and found the air much cooler although the sky had completely cleared off. We ate at a restaurant close to the hotel which we had looked at earlier but had suspected because it had such an extensive menu. We went inside, downstairs, and found it was a homey place with not a lot of tables. The waitress was friendly and we enjoyed our meals. Mary had sauerkraut soup like her mother used to make and a spicy goulash. I took my last opportunity to have roast duck which was the best I have had in a long time – moist and juicy but crispy skin. We both had a dark beer which Mary liked but I prefer Guinness.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J7u8KPe_bkk/Te6F5utN-XI/AAAAAAAABO4/GObJAPOLWyg/s1600/5809034753_a531d65282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J7u8KPe_bkk/Te6F5utN-XI/AAAAAAAABO4/GObJAPOLWyg/s640/5809034753_a531d65282.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bicycle made for seven</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626908963154%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626908963154%2F&set_id=72157626908963154&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626908963154%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626908963154%2F&set_id=72157626908963154&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br />
Click above to see pictures of Prague<br />
<object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626909680716%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626909680716%2F&set_id=72157626909680716&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626909680716%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626909680716%2F&set_id=72157626909680716&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;">Click above to see pictures of Prague trams.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="400" height="300"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626784778117%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626784778117%2F&set_id=72157626784778117&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626784778117%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626784778117%2F&set_id=72157626784778117&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;">Click above to see my Czech railway pictures</div></div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-42320088347694107042011-06-07T07:48:00.001-07:002011-06-20T04:20:59.264-07:00Sunday 5 June - Prague<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7E5-j6SsVL4/Te5-GvthKhI/AAAAAAAABOQ/bd1J9ezRpdo/s1600/5809316772_96a9e5d7e7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7E5-j6SsVL4/Te5-GvthKhI/AAAAAAAABOQ/bd1J9ezRpdo/s640/5809316772_96a9e5d7e7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGvUqXuK_PM/Te5-IZFAU5I/AAAAAAAABOU/31zlZMI5oZo/s1600/5809358952_8016bb1a12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tGvUqXuK_PM/Te5-IZFAU5I/AAAAAAAABOU/31zlZMI5oZo/s640/5809358952_8016bb1a12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uxVQHzhYxx4/Te5-JtZKlvI/AAAAAAAABOY/UQdHDNdaTi4/s1600/5809376092_b67171424c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uxVQHzhYxx4/Te5-JtZKlvI/AAAAAAAABOY/UQdHDNdaTi4/s640/5809376092_b67171424c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">After walking down Wenceslas Square without too many people Mary went to the Museum of Modern Art while I discovered more of Prague on the trams. I took the 14 with Mary to the Museum and transferred to the 12 for Palmovka. This is a heavy interchange for routes 1, 3, 8, 10, 12, 15, 19, 24 and 25 as well as the Metro line B. The 3 brought me back into town by a different route and I stayed on it right through to Nadrazy Modrany. There are a lot of swans on the river and, further down a crowd had gathered to watch rowing, at least eights and singles. As we ran further out of town the area was parkland either side of the line and in parts the line is on its own reservation with ties and ballast although tramway-type welded rail was used.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I came back into town on the 17 tram and we picked up a lot of people from the regatta which seemed to be ending. There was a diversion in town where one section had been closed, possibly because of the regatta, and I got off at Staromestska to sample the Metro. I transferred at Muzeum for Hlavni nadrazi and took a look at the station. It is a combined bus and train station and the departures are all shown on the one board. There was a nicely restored diesel railbus running an excursion, presumably owned by a local railway club. Then it was back to the hotel via the Metro to Namesti Republiki and walk.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyD-7JGtSOo/Te5-KltDteI/AAAAAAAABOc/atAseTXGrus/s1600/5809381734_e36a2826cd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyD-7JGtSOo/Te5-KltDteI/AAAAAAAABOc/atAseTXGrus/s640/5809381734_e36a2826cd.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a later short excursion I saw a swarm of bees on a road sign. Quite unusual, especially in the center of he city.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Dinner this evening was at the Red Wheel, a pleasant restaurant close o the hotel. I had roast duck and Mary had trout and Palacinka, a traditional Czech/Hungarian dish of pancakes and chocolate sauce. The duck was good but there was a lot of it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZraSDcfwpK4/Te5-Mhi10HI/AAAAAAAABOg/qzHM4jrTaas/s1600/5809385960_002ca6501c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZraSDcfwpK4/Te5-Mhi10HI/AAAAAAAABOg/qzHM4jrTaas/s640/5809385960_002ca6501c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Wheel Restaurant</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-71759536455996552532011-06-07T07:47:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:20:04.103-07:00Saturday 4 June - Prague<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">It has been a hot sunny day today. After breakfast we walked along by the river and across the Charles bridge which was only just becoming busy with tourists and touts.<br />
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</div>There are many ducks in the river including some tufted ducks, the first I have seen on this trip. We found a so-called tourist office but most of these are really places where they sell you tickets to their own attractions. The man was very helpful but didn't have all the information we needed. We walked around some more and looked at the architecture which is beautiful in places although many locations are sadly in need of restoration. Back on the east side we found a Metro station and bought some tickets from a Mr. Bean wannabe. It took a long time to complete the transaction and he made a big fuss about breaking a 2000 kr. note which we had just got from a bank machine. It wasn't until some time later that we realized that he had undercharged us by 100 kr. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipY9SPxC9WRnFpWAyhTEjHIuZDBTQqDmJz9Jffdm7uDsVtxKP5IUUsg70RZCoTqxZGircL6d6Mnnsz53djZWGzKgb0Vn0_FVNReShYptdjyV-waJDvDg6Hu11yqzqhsQh_-IEd1EUvFm7G/s1600/5809686224_834a13e127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipY9SPxC9WRnFpWAyhTEjHIuZDBTQqDmJz9Jffdm7uDsVtxKP5IUUsg70RZCoTqxZGircL6d6Mnnsz53djZWGzKgb0Vn0_FVNReShYptdjyV-waJDvDg6Hu11yqzqhsQh_-IEd1EUvFm7G/s640/5809686224_834a13e127.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">We had seen an old four-wheel tram and trailer running through the city earlier and found the route of the 91 historic tram. None of the maps we had were helpful but we managed to get to the start of the run just before the first one. It turns out that the run starts at the Municipal Transport Museum which is also one of he car barns. The tram makes an interesting route through the city and ends up at an exhibition ground in the north east. The cost was 35 kr. which is about $2.00. We had to pay another 35 kr. to get back and another 35 kr. to get into the Museum. This was an amazing deal - $6 for a tour of the city in a historic tram and entry into the museum where the trams are beautifully restored. In all, I saw at least three trams with trailers working the 91 route. There was a driver and conductor in the tram and a conductor in the trailer. There was a judicious use of the bells to communicate between the three each time before the tram started from each stop. If the tram had stopped at anywhere other than a stop, the driver gave two bells and didn't move until both had answered. There would then be a frantic unscrewing of the hand brake before the controller was opened. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvQ05pNAznSuzAnxaqtVBGAs5YqeTug0OId2uXCKxegCLEghDadPPdZP6b8frzvFmGYRADSp-cGHv-pFeq6L6vDWoSG-CTxye_v4eukUnmTfZxew3LbO36Dt4aiIpMpGFuaSSBM3XyHec/s1600/5809722336_7fe7464642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvQ05pNAznSuzAnxaqtVBGAs5YqeTug0OId2uXCKxegCLEghDadPPdZP6b8frzvFmGYRADSp-cGHv-pFeq6L6vDWoSG-CTxye_v4eukUnmTfZxew3LbO36Dt4aiIpMpGFuaSSBM3XyHec/s640/5809722336_7fe7464642.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">A #18 tram brought us back into the city and we found Wenceslas Square The whole area was infested with people right back to the Old Town Square. Pretty nasty.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">After a rest we walked through the Jewish section but found nothing of particular interest.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7WQdNQQLluY/Te59D5FcVTI/AAAAAAAABOI/5NZPu7Lzwq4/s1600/5808792579_30a361de3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7WQdNQQLluY/Te59D5FcVTI/AAAAAAAABOI/5NZPu7Lzwq4/s640/5808792579_30a361de3a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some buildings and structures are in imminent danger of collapse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Dinner was at the hotel restaurant where we receive a 30% discount. We started with marinated duck breast (Colin) and salmon and the main course was confitated duck with Bohemian dumplings (Colin) and pork with risotto. It was all very good indeed.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">We walked back out to see if things had quietened down a bit but it was still a mess.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Of all the European cities I have visited Prague is by far the worst. It is populated by lager louts, df tourists and touts. Much of the infrastructure is badly in need of repair/restoration and the city is not doing enough of the basics. It would be good to see the streets cleaned. There is much broken glass around but nothing is done to clean it up. With the number of tourists coming here a hotel tax might make sense with the revenue being used to clean up the place. Much of this is a result of many years of Soviet influence. There is a don't care attitude on the part of the locals. Even the main dining area of the hotel is not swept out. Many of the bars and restaurants are dark, dingy and dirty – they are selling this as an experience rather than make the place look a bit presentable. One gets the impression Czechs revel in dirt and filth.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The whole place is disorganized in a laisser faire manner. There are many Tourist Information Offices all displaying the green letter “I”. In Austrian cities there is one city tourist organization that may have several branches but all with the same information. In Prague there are many such offices dotted all over the city, but only one of which calls itself “Official”. All produce information but it varies according to what that particular office is trying to sell. There is an official Metro map but it doesn't show the streets. Other offices produce street maps but they only show the Metro and tram routes that suit them. We finally found a street map at the Official Tourist Office that shows the Metro and tram routes but you really need a magnifying glass to read the route numbers. Another example of where the city has just let things go.</div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-18332817543082940092011-06-07T07:46:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:19:15.283-07:00Friday 3 June – Linz to Prague<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">1012 Linz to Wien Meidling 1207</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">1233 Wien Meidling to Prague 1617</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Trams are a very quick way to get to the station. Each stop is announced but not only the stop but the places served. We were intrigued by one announcement which said "Ooodle noodle".<br />
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Because the direct line between Linz and Prague entails a connection of two hours we decided to travel via Vienna. The train to Vienna was fine but the train to Prague was very bad indeed. The only good thing about it was that there was Austrian locomotive all the way through which ensured an on time arrival. The equipment was Czech, very old, poorly maintained and the air conditioning failed – on a hot day. The brakes needed adjustment as they they tended to grab and the ride could be described as a sort of gallop.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Czech railways seem to consist of abandoned roundhouses and masses of abandoned locomotives that will never work again. The passenger cars, of which there are many discarded, are painted all different colours. It seems they used the particular colour that was available at the time. There are many four wheeled passenger buses.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Czech train dispatching is very poor. They put a freight train out ahead of us from Breclav, then there wasn't a siding to put it out of the way so they stopped it on the main line. Stopped us behind it and then ran us around and while doing this we stopped a passenger train going in the opposite direction. Bearing in mind we had a 25 minute station stop in Breclav you have to work pretty hard to cause this much confusion.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Prague station was confusing and we were unable to find a Tourist Information office. What little I have seen of Prague so far is dirty and the architecture is no better than what we have already experienced in Austria. The Central area is packed with lager louts and tourists.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3n0bELLe9q8/Te58MG1AvKI/AAAAAAAABN0/FedZ7akFQmE/s1600/5809316772_96a9e5d7e7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3n0bELLe9q8/Te58MG1AvKI/AAAAAAAABN0/FedZ7akFQmE/s640/5809316772_96a9e5d7e7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old town square</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">We found a restaurant serving local food. Mary had pork while I had rabbit. Both were very good as was the beer. It was cheap and we were able to pay in euros.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Hope I feel better about the place tomorrow.</div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-25092166967478196822011-06-01T23:50:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:15:35.442-07:00Thursday 3 June - LinzThe hotel Wolfinger is a converted nunnery. The room is pretty spacious and has recently been renovated with a beautiful wood floor and a walk in shower with no lip at all. Every one of the hotels at which we have stayed in Austria has been at least 500 years old. We also have just realized that we haven't turned on a TV since we left Canada.<br />
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We walked out into the Hauptplatz this morning to find that everything was very quiet. We then checked the tram timetables and surmised that this is a Public Holiday. Not really an inconvenience but the public transit is less frequent and many restaurants are closed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQRNo3g7IztZEDhQGSzSmCuW0VJNeFHsT7LUL7uhUc-K60Pm_C0YIhTFWlnvZDug7m2zEQdN70vZYSI0Z6C_XxKLK7CeYTyyfMb0AB-_pUmH74bQaF3ct1rkCWlhjnXIAjuaOdOWgRPZO/s1600/5790655585_9576f2ee61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQRNo3g7IztZEDhQGSzSmCuW0VJNeFHsT7LUL7uhUc-K60Pm_C0YIhTFWlnvZDug7m2zEQdN70vZYSI0Z6C_XxKLK7CeYTyyfMb0AB-_pUmH74bQaF3ct1rkCWlhjnXIAjuaOdOWgRPZO/s640/5790655585_9576f2ee61.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "originals" are only used on Sundays and Holidays. At Hauptplatz</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>We took the bus out to the Botanical Gardens set on a hillside with views over the town. This is very well done indeed. The plantings are done with a view not only to displaying the plants but to blend them in to their setting. The greenhouses are very interesting with displays of orchids, cactus and tropical plants. The open air gardens are excellent and the flowers are blooming in profusion. There are several formal gardens, including one with a pool containing turtles. There are also several areas devoted to plants from different parts of the world, North America, Asia for example. The plants are set out so thickly that weeds find it difficult to take root. The gardens boast one of the largest collection of cacti in Europe and there are over 10,000 different species. The plan which is in the pamphlet clearly marks the various areas and makes it easy to plan a route through. The city is justly proud of its botanical gardens.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kKYAKGd8NNk/TefYitjiUfI/AAAAAAAABNc/J5iRW6Rhke4/s1600/5790554254_a09a892e12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kKYAKGd8NNk/TefYitjiUfI/AAAAAAAABNc/J5iRW6Rhke4/s640/5790554254_a09a892e12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We took advantage of the sparsity of the bus service to see a new part by returning back through the Hauptbahnhof and then taking the tram. We then split up with Mary going to the Museum of Modern Art while I went to the Postlingbergbahn Museum which was open today because it is a holiday. I was the only visitor at the time and the young lady pounced upon me and insisted that I go into the car barn which is normally locked so that I could see the open toast-rack car they have. The Postlingberg line was built to meter gauge so that the cars could handle the gradients better (the Linz city trams run on 900 mm gauge). The cars had special brakes, electric and mechanical as well as an emergency brake which clamped on to the rail and could not be released except by prizing it away from the rail. The original cars were double flanged and special switches were required. In 2008 the line was completely relaid with meter gauge track and three new three-section cars provided (501 - 502 - 503). A fourth car has been provided but it is still undergoing trials. Only two of the original 900 mm gauge cars remain at Linz, these are on a separate track which just runs from the barn into the old station. The line is energized and both remaining cars are in fine shape and operate. A third meter gauge car has been lent to Gmuden where is is used on special occasions, There are two old style four-wheel cars in use on the Postlingberg line but these are, in effect, new cars rather than original cars which have been regauged and upgraded. It was a thoroughly entertaining visit and the young lady was happy to have someone to talk to.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open tram in the car barn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closed tram in the original Postlingbergbahn station, now a museum, meter gauge to left, 900 mm gauge to right</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigD_WXsMkt__-mp-m_2Xo3h2uK09ZGPBvxWOa4X7A2qudZjkXk5I2sY_Upr1ri-5GuzHnXRPJD7CwXo7rwqu3bs_QKwmGwEnbm8j1wPJ_FPtQKSn0qFBnwn0p0rY2VCWzidTWbjjDVvFpi/s1600/5790692001_b63e7f5c33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigD_WXsMkt__-mp-m_2Xo3h2uK09ZGPBvxWOa4X7A2qudZjkXk5I2sY_Upr1ri-5GuzHnXRPJD7CwXo7rwqu3bs_QKwmGwEnbm8j1wPJ_FPtQKSn0qFBnwn0p0rY2VCWzidTWbjjDVvFpi/s640/5790692001_b63e7f5c33.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meter gauge track used with double flanged wheels. 900 mm gauge tracks on left, meter gauge on right</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>I walked back past the OBB Linz Urfahr station which uses diesels and has a sparse service and caught a tram to the end of the line at Universitat and then back to the Hauptplatz.<br />
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</div>We thought we might have to have ice cream for the main meal today but we found an open restaurant just off the tram route. The food came pretty quickly and was very good even if the kitchen only seemed to know how to cook breaded meat or fish.<br />
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Click above to see pictures of Linz<br />
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Click above to see pictures of Linz trams<br />
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Click above to see pictures of Postlingberg trams</div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-54155284110480531832011-06-01T09:50:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:17:57.622-07:00Wednesday 1 June - Passau1016 Linz to Passau 1120<br />
1635 Passau to Linz 1745<br />
The heavy rain during the night has certainly cooled things down. In some places, wheat has been flattened. It is still green, however, so maybe it will grow back. We saw several deer in the wheat as well - the farmers have to put up with quite a bit. Streams were also swollen and the water was full of silt. It was raining slightly when we arrived but it soon stopped and the weather improved gradually during the day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGkTfVFQ8kg/TeaEHrPpfyI/AAAAAAAABM0/-xqK6tGtzTc/s1600/5786815005_77a4d560bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGkTfVFQ8kg/TeaEHrPpfyI/AAAAAAAABM0/-xqK6tGtzTc/s640/5786815005_77a4d560bb.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rathaus is very well decorated</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>We went first to the Tourist Office past the Cathedral which was almost completely cocooned for restoration. We decided not to go in because of the large number of tourists who were milling around. Passau is a transfer point for the cruises on the Danube. There are lots of tourists, plenty of tourist junk on sale and prices are correspondingly higher. We walked around the end of the land where the Inn joins the Danube and found a fancy restaurant but prices seemed high so we went back to a Brauhaus which turned out to be a lot of fun. There were only a few people sitting at the benches when we went in but a large party of elderly Germans arrived and soon the place was hopping. Good job we had already ordered our meal. The serving girls were carrying eight glasses of beer in a carrying crate similar to those used by the milkmen in England. Their food came fast and furious, very hearty and large portions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ct_YZGiSRmw/TeaEJTN28sI/AAAAAAAABM4/UEnv2_5xc48/s1600/5786881417_a345563d94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ct_YZGiSRmw/TeaEJTN28sI/AAAAAAAABM4/UEnv2_5xc48/s400/5786881417_a345563d94.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Brauhaus was appropriately located on Brewery Street</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agYSOR3rKo8/TeaELYZuU8I/AAAAAAAABM8/hQqYPklCWys/s1600/5786887023_af7ef8ba13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agYSOR3rKo8/TeaELYZuU8I/AAAAAAAABM8/hQqYPklCWys/s640/5786887023_af7ef8ba13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decoration above the door of the Brauhaus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TStOv2x8ca8/TeaEMhMGAsI/AAAAAAAABNA/z2tUI9Ky4Q4/s1600/5786893171_011dc08536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TStOv2x8ca8/TeaEMhMGAsI/AAAAAAAABNA/z2tUI9Ky4Q4/s640/5786893171_011dc08536.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brauhaus</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Mary had turkey strips with a mixed salad, bacon bits and sauteed mushrooms. The girl at the Tourist Office said I should try pork so I had pork covered with tomatoes and cheese with a mixed salad. Both were very good indeed and very filling.<br />
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The buildings in Passau are pleasant enough but not exceptional compared with Linz or Graz. We walked along the Inn and then made our way back into the pedestrian part of town where we found a Strudel House. The owner made only strudel of many different types. Mary had wild berry and cheese while I had poppyseed and cherry. These were the owner's wife's special recipe from Hungary.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_rlC3aIftE/TeaEOSa5c8I/AAAAAAAABNE/xBSZDhGevYs/s1600/5786899891_894cc20e70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_rlC3aIftE/TeaEOSa5c8I/AAAAAAAABNE/xBSZDhGevYs/s640/5786899891_894cc20e70.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Different flavors of strudel, sweet and savory, straight from the oven.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>We sat in the window and watched the passing traffic. A lady in a furniture shop across the street spent some time in the window trying to catch a moth that was flying around a sofa. She finally cupped it in her two hands and released it in the street. She saw me looking at her and waved.<br />
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Several local business people came in with empty cups that they were returning, obviously a regular arrangement.<br />
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Passing by this area earlier, we noticed an old, small Dachsund wandering around without a lead. He was polite to other dogs but made it clear that this was his territory. It appears he is owned by the husband and wife that operate adjacent high end men's wear and baby clothes shops. He would go back and forth between the two, especially when one would go into the other shop for a moment. However, he really came to life when their little boy came home from school, ran into see his father, dumped his bag and then ran in to see his mother.<br />
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Just down the street was a chocolate shop. There were marzipan potatoes in the window as well as a well shaped pair of breasts (busen) in either dark or milk chocolate.<br />
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We walked around a little more and then took the train back to Linz.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626737189977%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626737189977%2F&set_id=72157626737189977&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626737189977%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626737189977%2F&set_id=72157626737189977&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;">Click above to see pictures of Passau. </div>In both directions the train was the latest German high speed train where passengers can watch the driver from behind a glass screen. We sat in this compartment on the way back and it was good to follow what was happening. It seems the driver can opaque the glass at will, it has the appearance of a window with condensation - it comes on and off instantaneously. At one point a lady came in to catch the action. We were running wrong line around a long section of track work. We had just come to the end and had the signal to return to the right hand side over a crossover. A Talent train was approaching the same crossover on our line. We were running at about 40 mph as we approached the crossover and the other passenger train was less than 100 yards from the crossover. The woman cried out but, like in the movies, we switched to the other track just in time. She was pretty relieved. In fact it was an excellent meet set up by the dispatcher!<br />
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Arrival back in Linz was on time where we were met by a man who cleaned the windshield - it certainly needed it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5uZopIXfL2o/TecxDceCP6I/AAAAAAAABNI/PCWFLEW5taA/s1600/5789429176_ff59f81fa1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5uZopIXfL2o/TecxDceCP6I/AAAAAAAABNI/PCWFLEW5taA/s640/5789429176_ff59f81fa1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The windshield is being cleaned on the ICE at Linz</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-65576474178879526042011-05-31T08:06:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:07:59.581-07:00Tuesday 31 May - Graz to Linz0938 Graz to Selzthal 1111<br />
1121 Selzthal to Linz 1324<br />
Passing Mixnitz, one of the original steeple cab electrics was shunting in the yard while one of the larger locomotives was on the main line with a weed killing train. The train to Selzthal was almost ten minutes late waiting for a connection at Leoben. The conductor assured me that the train at Selzthal would be held to make our connection. It was a cross platform transfer and the train to Linz left only a few seconds late. It was a four car electric Talent set, similar to the O Train. I wondered what it would be like traveling second class in one of these for over two hours. It was very easy to get into with a case, much easier than the OBB long distance trains and there was plenty of luggage space under the seats. Much easier to stow bags than in a main line train. The windows were spaced to coinicide with the seats so everyone had a clear view out of the window. The trip was quite pleasant if a little uneventful. We passed through a rugged mountain range and the area around Linz is quite flat and there is much arable farming. I saw two deer in fields of wheat. Of course I played Mozart's Linz symphony on my iPod.<br />
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We ran to time, in some cases we were waiting time at stations.<br />
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The tram station is under the railway station and we quickly acquired a ticket and caught the first tram to the Hauptplatz where we are staying.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E5THni2h8Ac/TeZ1zIvgNcI/AAAAAAAABMk/vamQcOJCTLE/s1600/5787108790_6a9b290962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E5THni2h8Ac/TeZ1zIvgNcI/AAAAAAAABMk/vamQcOJCTLE/s640/5787108790_6a9b290962.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linzertorte with Aperol Spritz</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>A quick visit to the Tourist Office and we sat in the Hauptplatz with an Aperol Spritz and a portion of Linzertorte - pleasant enough but nothing special. The main square, the Hauptplatz, is very impressive, but there doesn't seem to be as much of interest here as in Graz. The motor vehicle is much more evident and there are many fewer bicycles. We had a walk around in the hot afternoon sun but most of the sights are churches which don't really interest us, The new cathedral is very impressive, it can reputedly hold 20,000 people and the stained glass is excellent - I think it is better than Leon which is reputedly the best in Europe.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ckGpZ8musj0/TeZ11CZItOI/AAAAAAAABMo/Tv0CEVRbxuU/s1600/5787122038_9b79f85f50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ckGpZ8musj0/TeZ11CZItOI/AAAAAAAABMo/Tv0CEVRbxuU/s640/5787122038_9b79f85f50.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The Postlingberg tramway has been rebuilt and extended into the Hauptplatz so it is less than five minutes from our room. The new trams are three sections but quite small. The gradients are severe and it runs through pleasant suburbs. The summit was a little surprising because, although there are good views, it is mostly wooded and there are many houses. It seems the tram serves commuters as much as tourists. We found a bar which served food and had roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut/beef goulash. With a beer this was a good and relatively cheap meal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kww5Z1T-Z14/TeZ13Lx85JI/AAAAAAAABMs/MF4lD9P6xQA/s1600/5787128500_cd9e97b18d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kww5Z1T-Z14/TeZ13Lx85JI/AAAAAAAABMs/MF4lD9P6xQA/s640/5787128500_cd9e97b18d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Postlingberg</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GdlXHaWdCps/TeZ17fxxMqI/AAAAAAAABMw/iDrLbHwY1Fc/s1600/5787242454_4475ac2b43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GdlXHaWdCps/TeZ17fxxMqI/AAAAAAAABMw/iDrLbHwY1Fc/s640/5787242454_4475ac2b43.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Postlingberg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As we were arriving back at the Hauptplatz we passed two of the original four wheel trams which are now used for special groups.<br />
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It has been very hot today but there has been some thunder which should cool things down a bit.Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-11355458783614211382011-05-30T00:16:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:06:58.508-07:00Monday 30 May - Graz - Mixnitz and UbelbachOur bed looks quite elegant with a large swath of light blue curtain material tastefully draped from close to the ceiling to both sides. The effect is spoiled somewhat by the washing hanging from the chandelier.<br />
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I spent a little time this morning rubbing body lotion into my leather moccasins in an effort to prevent the leather from going hard after its soaking yesterday.<br />
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The first order of business was to finish off the tourist stuff in Graz. We took a look at the cathedral - very ornate and pretty much over the top. The next order of business was to see the double staircase at the Bourg Tower and then get over to the Glockenplatz to hear the bells and see the two mechanical people dancing. A pretty large crowd of tourists turned up but they were surrounded by three school group. The pickpocket who was standing just behind me decided to leave when I turned around and stood staring pointedly at him. The bells were pretty good and the mechanical dancers went on for quite a long time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPyEFIwXe0SyyAM9kFB43GP_EPaatFswE_0vouNPFz4PBett37gN_X1of8nTHcGhfhyGlsSqRZ00nsBLf3YxLlDaxYKlxUGTSiNo2qcaX9MlmGqrNXVU1Y9CPiEpvWp9pFN-ZHbNjdLll/s1600/5782716575_82eb7330eb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPyEFIwXe0SyyAM9kFB43GP_EPaatFswE_0vouNPFz4PBett37gN_X1of8nTHcGhfhyGlsSqRZ00nsBLf3YxLlDaxYKlxUGTSiNo2qcaX9MlmGqrNXVU1Y9CPiEpvWp9pFN-ZHbNjdLll/s640/5782716575_82eb7330eb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The final order of business was the parish church which is very big and very ornate.<br />
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I was thus clear of tourist duties and made my way by tram to the station where there is evidence of the bomb blast last March - the whole of the front windows of the station including the clock have been blown out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHWbaX8aDwGePq-vLz5cszHBcQrsPozgtcxpBWZyC7ubyyUNbXTlGfbDiqz-qjeBEcsLgIlXe3x-oyjimjvJi_6coJujfCHmHV3Wc86JouC6h24edHRqkkvz6aJiKBp9J0MTYF6siyDEU/s1600/5783305228_58651a5108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHWbaX8aDwGePq-vLz5cszHBcQrsPozgtcxpBWZyC7ubyyUNbXTlGfbDiqz-qjeBEcsLgIlXe3x-oyjimjvJi_6coJujfCHmHV3Wc86JouC6h24edHRqkkvz6aJiKBp9J0MTYF6siyDEU/s640/5783305228_58651a5108.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bomb damage to Graz station</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>1205 Graz to Mixnitz 1239<br />
1321 Mixnitz to Peggau 1336<br />
1427 Peggau to Ubelbach 1447<br />
1502 Ubelback to Peggau 1622<br />
1636 Peggau to Graz 1656<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqS6OotiHyp0hL2hsBDDtsmWrr8ogIfKnb9Ryfyi8L5uZ_a4wR-7Pgo-lAprN8g-AaLcMqGsh0CnYjWmpMNWvQmiTmqpIsCcmSQbqFD7cnTLNOeCMq8HtBXLU7c3VYjIXnuBVyQIdbB-HB/s1600/5781683346_26367d6e34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqS6OotiHyp0hL2hsBDDtsmWrr8ogIfKnb9Ryfyi8L5uZ_a4wR-7Pgo-lAprN8g-AaLcMqGsh0CnYjWmpMNWvQmiTmqpIsCcmSQbqFD7cnTLNOeCMq8HtBXLU7c3VYjIXnuBVyQIdbB-HB/s640/5781683346_26367d6e34.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small hopper wagon at the entrance to the shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>The reason for the trip to Mixnitz was to see what I could of the narrow gauge freight only branch to St. Erhard. There was a shop with two narrow gauge (760mm) tracks and one standard gauge track. 1957 steeple cab electric #E3 was outside the shop and the other three were inside. #E1 and #E2 are four-wheel steeple cab electrics built in 1913. #E3 and #E4 are Bo-Bo steeple cab electrics built in 1957 and 1963. The standard gauge tracks held two switchers #VEL 1 and #VHL 2 which are used to switch the standard gauge sidings. They were built in 1956 (diesel electric) and 1967 (diesel hydraulic) respectively.<br />
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There were two men working around a flat car so I asked them if I could take pictures and I think they said yes. I took my pictures and didn't get in the way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJauLll_3YIsOLIdNjefbq7PsZQ268tSFAT9CnfcAsWOqTF4UupdqOAjKSos0p61z2SGvF_axxgLTff9HoxIt_w1L5YcsJKqigjQS3og04vuBkxrAr6KlkFkYZiD8TLK6ubrN-Bvl0vAYU/s1600/5781141765_a60ee7faca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJauLll_3YIsOLIdNjefbq7PsZQ268tSFAT9CnfcAsWOqTF4UupdqOAjKSos0p61z2SGvF_axxgLTff9HoxIt_w1L5YcsJKqigjQS3og04vuBkxrAr6KlkFkYZiD8TLK6ubrN-Bvl0vAYU/s640/5781141765_a60ee7faca.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E4 was built in 1963</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUFRfZjc6swBMG6OFXueF_DekPKyImme7scPhPBrIsGYnpUbgt-Ec0_pNrJf1WlkT_0fZy_aNPh1aWrYj1nduM1AVtTafKmidc0-ZcLeo_1SkySiTnJjqkwiQ-wIuQrqHpPCsj0utyhwl/s1600/5781182531_c3a8f77b28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUFRfZjc6swBMG6OFXueF_DekPKyImme7scPhPBrIsGYnpUbgt-Ec0_pNrJf1WlkT_0fZy_aNPh1aWrYj1nduM1AVtTafKmidc0-ZcLeo_1SkySiTnJjqkwiQ-wIuQrqHpPCsj0utyhwl/s640/5781182531_c3a8f77b28.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Built in 1913 and still in use.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Click below to see all my images from Mixnitz</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626726389587%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626726389587%2F&set_id=72157626726389587&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626726389587%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626726389587%2F&set_id=72157626726389587&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></div>This line is under the Styrian state as is the short line from Peggau to Ubelbach.<br />
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At Peggau I looked for somewhere to get a drink. I found a small bar near the station and ordered a beer. The barkeep was eating something out of an enormous salad bowl with a serving spoon. There was a woman sitting at the bar eating off a plate. When she finished she picked the plate up and licked it clean. Good job I didn't want to eat anything there - I think she was the waitress. The Ubelbach line has just got two brand new railcars for the line which have replaced the four 1955 vintage units obtained from Switzerland second hand. The line is through very pleasant farming country with some arable fields, particularly with corn. The train was full with schoolkids. There was only some ten minutes at Ubelbach, unless I wanted to spend another hour there so I decided to come straight back.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgC5Dx4gX5PFLMPDPtZIPvV7V1pll8DA9_xJmPwkco5DNEJVs-zlGcltYFis2sH8441gGzddhmiV-fOTY_ohrPXoadCHOF3P5zJopdhlWLLbC_uT3oPPiu0SfmdixCroAmi-JePT28MuY/s1600/5782757554_6bb68c6ff5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgC5Dx4gX5PFLMPDPtZIPvV7V1pll8DA9_xJmPwkco5DNEJVs-zlGcltYFis2sH8441gGzddhmiV-fOTY_ohrPXoadCHOF3P5zJopdhlWLLbC_uT3oPPiu0SfmdixCroAmi-JePT28MuY/s640/5782757554_6bb68c6ff5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ubelbach with a train ready to return to Peggau</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4S6cAqR9Y8TlxrHuuojz8EKxoy6lkwfAtWMBKmfWnTayVcLjiiZABxLB8HEEXdH-XJ8poyUmfkVZATLL3t9g-P7rASkOjbyRdIo9GL2uM4AwczmAO6Xn4_aUfNU3BoDQhSrp-DKCkgbT/s1600/5782214433_b678f38590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4S6cAqR9Y8TlxrHuuojz8EKxoy6lkwfAtWMBKmfWnTayVcLjiiZABxLB8HEEXdH-XJ8poyUmfkVZATLL3t9g-P7rASkOjbyRdIo9GL2uM4AwczmAO6Xn4_aUfNU3BoDQhSrp-DKCkgbT/s640/5782214433_b678f38590.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ubelbach - second train in a siding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>At Graz I took at look at the Graz Koflacherbahn diesels leaving as as it was very hot came straight back to the hotel.<br />
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Dinner was at another great restaurant - the Landhauskeller which is in a beautiful courtyard by the Landhaus and underneath the Armoury.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0TFJ5jiqIqjuNfbEP8cMLWcI067l-5DQgNcfALGJL1hnndgAqHstW1p7pQYud4qyj8TZ90Lfz1kfZ0OjggHKWLEftKgzf2G3phXtBuJuWMu4S0fWTbXh-Sq45rehINUxE0VPDPgsGcS9/s1600/5783315886_e0a4a75cff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0TFJ5jiqIqjuNfbEP8cMLWcI067l-5DQgNcfALGJL1hnndgAqHstW1p7pQYud4qyj8TZ90Lfz1kfZ0OjggHKWLEftKgzf2G3phXtBuJuWMu4S0fWTbXh-Sq45rehINUxE0VPDPgsGcS9/s640/5783315886_e0a4a75cff.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mary started with pumpkin soup, Styria is famous for its pumpkins. Colin had the Styrian cold appetizer plate which contained chicken liver pate, fish pate, asparagus pate and other things including Styrian horseradish.<br />
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For main course Mary had boiled beef which included a marrow bone, pickled pumpkin and potatoes, Colin had the Styrian beef schnitzel and boiled potatoes. The beef was liberally sprinkled with pumpkins. Very good.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LFia4i-OnxSNaD1Gy_en7TKqhC9KCiTCx2G6fMa6qm-KNZHA-frvkcJRWw51sfCMNPD3Px7TRddwDDbN2zHNX6HEt9grCa-Bgs60bWAKUhOrx3at4P3P8xqaPhWuGEgrTCW4C4wsazKh/s1600/5782805609_3f0e240929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LFia4i-OnxSNaD1Gy_en7TKqhC9KCiTCx2G6fMa6qm-KNZHA-frvkcJRWw51sfCMNPD3Px7TRddwDDbN2zHNX6HEt9grCa-Bgs60bWAKUhOrx3at4P3P8xqaPhWuGEgrTCW4C4wsazKh/s640/5782805609_3f0e240929.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graz Museum of modern art.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Afterwards we went for a short walk and took the elevator to the top by the clock tower where there are excellent views over the city. Graz is a quiet, graceful place and we don't feel we have really spent enough time here to do it justice. We have seen all the items recommended in the guidebooks but it is the sort of place where one would be rewarded by poking around, looking up and looking back. The architecture is amazing, everywhere you look there are items of interest. Best of all, there are few tourists.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Click below to see all pictures of Graz trams</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626737622093%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626737622093%2F&set_id=72157626737622093&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626737622093%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626737622093%2F&set_id=72157626737622093&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br />
Click below to see all pictures of Graz<br />
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<object height="300" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626728862719%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626728862719%2F&set_id=72157626728862719&jump_to="></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626728862719%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fcolinchurcher%2Fsets%2F72157626728862719%2F&set_id=72157626728862719&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-4052230435835577522011-05-29T09:27:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:05:29.955-07:00Sunday May 29 - GrazThe hotel room is taking a bit of getting used to. It is a large room with wood parquet tiles that squeak every time we walk over it. By the time I had sorted the shower out my leather mocasins had started to float out of the bathroom, they eventually took on water and sank.<br />
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Today was a Mary-organized museum day. To get started we had to validate our three-day transit passes so we got on a tram, validated our tickets in the machine, and got off at the next stop which happened to be at the museum of modern art. It is a very interesting building but practically all of it was closed while they put on a new exhibit. The only open part was an exhibition of Austrian photography which was either pictures taken of a demonstration in London or an ancient video, made in English, about a stone age tribe in the Philippines which had only recently been discovered. These poor buggers were living from hand to mouth yet they seemed pleased that they had been introduced to money.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpytF_n4hyrHODvLBek_IIwofOqq0riJtLDqI55T_qGIFKFAcWgVxJe04bC_twOnb2YVSCywjopcKkQwtUtU8fAL7AFFlQIW3v3j_JCXZSp07G4quvNQylhJXs2ZpvffctmkLGG03NibMQ/s1600/5782639617_3ba6c35e9d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpytF_n4hyrHODvLBek_IIwofOqq0riJtLDqI55T_qGIFKFAcWgVxJe04bC_twOnb2YVSCywjopcKkQwtUtU8fAL7AFFlQIW3v3j_JCXZSp07G4quvNQylhJXs2ZpvffctmkLGG03NibMQ/s640/5782639617_3ba6c35e9d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man-made island in the river.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Not many people around on a Sunday morning. <br />
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Our next adventure was at the Armoury. This is a vast, four floor, store of armor and weapons that was built so that the army could quickly be armed to repel invasions from the Turks. The main point about this place is the sheer numbers of each item - there were several hundred swords, pistols etc. It never ceases to amaze us how much effort man has put through the ages to devise ways of killing and maiming other people.<br />
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We had a quick look into the Landhaus. It was very quiet compared with yesterday when people of a charity event tried toget us to fork out money for something of which we had no knowledge.<br />
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A quick tram ride brought us to the base station of the funicular railway for the ride up the Schlossbergbahn. We felt cheated because all rides on the funicular today are free. We were a little puzzled what we would find at the top - the car coming down contained a number of men in period military costumes and carrying weapons. They were followed by a military brass band including a fellow at the back who was wearing a big drum. At the top the smell of sizzling pork sausages filled the air and the noise of bawling kids was loud until noon when the big bell in the Glockenturm was wrung 101 times -boring. Lots of kids had painted faces and sported a balloon secured to their wrists.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRo-LdhNgpK7Ete4I_ni8OqLnVu7Q0LEybk9HrcyQ1pgPfRC027KBOieXb6MCuNnqtmgmdTZjMhiwXkVhUhkT_6W4BF4-vzg3MVDxKrHvHsxuMk_9SC1Vg1cI0G2lEZ6rM-yh9XBXDAfeW/s1600/5783102878_b12f57d298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRo-LdhNgpK7Ete4I_ni8OqLnVu7Q0LEybk9HrcyQ1pgPfRC027KBOieXb6MCuNnqtmgmdTZjMhiwXkVhUhkT_6W4BF4-vzg3MVDxKrHvHsxuMk_9SC1Vg1cI0G2lEZ6rM-yh9XBXDAfeW/s640/5783102878_b12f57d298.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1O3l1D69BXfOWUGsBy0t_obk5j7fc9Vo4wuSB8FcdnHHuIh7fyEc4YG7qFA79fbvKfyG0ABk4KnAW-rKl5yWLwMwPVhezb8elbTpUdcMBO8t9Meb-9siN-fxx7L2Jw8ev9MK6wGR7CKoM/s1600/5783136288_8b233f6b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1O3l1D69BXfOWUGsBy0t_obk5j7fc9Vo4wuSB8FcdnHHuIh7fyEc4YG7qFA79fbvKfyG0ABk4KnAW-rKl5yWLwMwPVhezb8elbTpUdcMBO8t9Meb-9siN-fxx7L2Jw8ev9MK6wGR7CKoM/s640/5783136288_8b233f6b73.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We went back down after having spent all of 15 minutes there. <br />
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The reason there were few people around the town was that most were up the Schlossberg while the rest were piling out of the churches as we walked back into the centre of town. At least these are real people as there are very few tourists here.<br />
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A #7 tram and a short walk took us to the Schloss Eggenberg, another great palace but this one in a very pleasant deer park. We didn't see any deer but the place was pretty well overrun with peacocks. In good weather the grounds, with their flower displays, were very good. The peacocks make a lot of noise and we wondered if they annoyed the people living around. There was a pleasant pool with irises and weeds (but no ducks) as well as a formal pond with water lillies in flower and many koi of various sizes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schloss Eggenberg</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_SXEHgPMylM/TeXUh6DeTlI/AAAAAAAABMA/ILjCzHhFGLM/s1600/5782628585_3f6f37a547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_SXEHgPMylM/TeXUh6DeTlI/AAAAAAAABMA/ILjCzHhFGLM/s640/5782628585_3f6f37a547.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The numerous Peacocks wanted food and would come close in the hope of getting some. </td></tr>
</tbody></table> The final museum was in the Herberstein Palace. The first exhibit was two chairs in a room with piles of numbered tickets that had been thrown on the floor. There was a video showing two men sitting on the chairs tearing off the tickets and throwing them on the floor. The value of this deeply significant act evaded me but I dutifully followed the red carpet right through the exhibition and back to the front door.<br />
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</div>The man-made island in the river is an interesting structure and we lingered some time there over a beer. On the way back to the hotel we were waiting for an oompah band to start playing but the garrulous man with the microphone (and a big drum) pointed out that a priest was throwing holy water all over a woman in an invalid car so we left. On the main bridge across the River Mur we stopped to watch the surfboarders who find their wave and ride it hanging on to a rope suspended from the bridge. They are watched by people on the side in a fake beach with sand, deck chairs etc.<br />
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My birthday dinner was in the hotel because not many restaurants are open in Graz on Sundays.<br />
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We started with an amuse gueule which consisted of a large slab of chicken liver pate each with an edible flower.<br />
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The rolls were exceptional and we had Styrian pumpkinseed oil to dip as well as salt and butter.<br />
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For a starter Mary had smoked arctic char with an asparagus morel custard while I had calf's head cheese and calf tongue with pesto sauce.<br />
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For main course Mary had stuffed chicken breast with fried gnocchi while I had three types of veal - roast, schnitzel and goulash with mashed potatoes in a pasta case.<br />
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We decided to have dessert. Mary had rhubarb with baked custard and a strawberry pepper sorbet. I had Apple Marscapone with a Calvados Foam.<br />
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The restaurant was practically empty apart from a man with a beret who was sketching the waiter. He was evidently well known in the restaurant. At one point a woman walked up to him, they had an argument and she left. He was colouring his sketch with water colours as we were leaving.<br />
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After that we walked our meal down, a little, by walking around the old historic part of the town.Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-38745807201870053362011-05-28T09:00:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:03:54.699-07:00Saturday 28 May - Salzburg to GrazPictures will follow when I can get a better connection to upload them.Pictures uploaded June 1.<br />
1015 Salzburg to Bischofshofen 1102<br />
1113 Bischofshofen to Graz 1423<br />
It was still raining this morning and the wait for the train in the station at Salzburg was particularly unpleasant. However the first train arrived in good time from Vienna and we were able to wait in the relative warmth of the train for about 20 minutes before departure. It was very hilly all the way with many trees and cattle pasture but very little arable land. We were surprised to see snow on the hillsides and it had come down almost to the valley floor in some places. It was still raining in Graz and I was surprised to find the stsatin intact. They found a large unexploded WWII bomb last March and had to detonate it on site. We had some difficulty in finding the tram line which is a little way away from the Hauptbahnhof. Once on board we found out how to use the ticket machine and were quickly brought to the Hauptplaz and the centrally located hotel.<br />
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The trams are very narrow indeed, not much wider than the standard gauge tracks. (2.2m) There is a Graz tram paint scheme but there is also a bewildering array of different colours and advertising schemes. They have a variety of trams some coming from Duisburg and Wuppertal although the most recent are new.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WSWta3NRDtQ/TeXXJDMkRQI/AAAAAAAABMc/FZM0FRnRZxg/s1600/5783023620_7855bae108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WSWta3NRDtQ/TeXXJDMkRQI/AAAAAAAABMc/FZM0FRnRZxg/s640/5783023620_7855bae108.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even in the rain Graz is an interesting place - Hauptplaz</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSTGkHjK-ZY/TeXXLYOUAGI/AAAAAAAABMg/i8cXM_KQpnY/s1600/5783080520_ba204980be.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fSTGkHjK-ZY/TeXXLYOUAGI/AAAAAAAABMg/i8cXM_KQpnY/s640/5783080520_ba204980be.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We found the Tourist Office and made plans over a drink in the Sacher Cafe. There followed a walk to Jacobmin Platz which is an amazing transport hub and then back to the hotel via an extensive park. The sun has come out and things are looking up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Sr8Ag24Ax4/TeXXHFwjh9I/AAAAAAAABMY/0hH1fLnUqD0/s1600/5782694451_18799cafc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Sr8Ag24Ax4/TeXXHFwjh9I/AAAAAAAABMY/0hH1fLnUqD0/s640/5782694451_18799cafc2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many buildings have amazing details.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DiIPYSqt1_E/TeXXFUM5QeI/AAAAAAAABMU/mdYZsbNEG3c/s1600/5782537017_dbd9802676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DiIPYSqt1_E/TeXXFUM5QeI/AAAAAAAABMU/mdYZsbNEG3c/s640/5782537017_dbd9802676.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Dinner was at Altsteirische Schmankerlstub'n, just across the street from the hotel. It is reputed to be the best place for Styrian cuisine and we were well pleased. We both had beer, (good but a little sour for my taste). For starter Mary had baked bacon wrapped sheep cheese while I had aspic. Both were excellent. For main course Mary had pork with mushroom sauce, redcurrants and potato croquettes and I had pork medallions with apple and "mouldy" cheese (i.e. strong blue cheese) and roast potatoes. Both were very good. We were so full we had to forgo the desserts - the nockerl looked particularly interesting. The staff were very friendly and helpful and we enjoyed ourselves.Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-87944596173301787802011-05-27T06:34:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:03:00.500-07:00Friday 27 May - SalzburgThe promised rain came heavily during the night and continued on today. We had planned for this a couple of days ago and Mary spent the day visiting museums while I went into the Hauptbahnhof to get some seat reservations for our journey from Linz to Prague and to look around. The OBB is pretty busy but manages to run most of its trains about ten minutes late. There was a great variety of locomotives, German and Austrian on the passenger trains as well as Austrian, Railion, DB Schenker and Cargo (SBB) on the freights.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uwisd3dJxBEaEYKS-z7ctqBUjIzkhF2rXp1Q22nSFVHZs6Je07RQQPJqzgLXT-M7swFwI_TdIxa31N9M-ZTpM42Xjxqj9UOHR-W77-0ExYvpn7m297dvxInJG1moIUs29hspyRGB3h6H/s1600/5764480225_394b25976e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uwisd3dJxBEaEYKS-z7ctqBUjIzkhF2rXp1Q22nSFVHZs6Je07RQQPJqzgLXT-M7swFwI_TdIxa31N9M-ZTpM42Xjxqj9UOHR-W77-0ExYvpn7m297dvxInJG1moIUs29hspyRGB3h6H/s640/5764480225_394b25976e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were used mainly on freight trains but this one was switching passenger stock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFnTvpxVlhpDydb1kx2M8Wgwhr4m_G-sGwec0RKPT6MmZxJZNOvOsRWoY61SpiKWbejvFfg5jHrbLW1jvunWwRX_HKdlY6XlP5IpqzvWEhYzQaJlhlG57jWBMlqz1W6QLM_5Imyo7mfL6/s1600/5765020048_21f7b10b44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFnTvpxVlhpDydb1kx2M8Wgwhr4m_G-sGwec0RKPT6MmZxJZNOvOsRWoY61SpiKWbejvFfg5jHrbLW1jvunWwRX_HKdlY6XlP5IpqzvWEhYzQaJlhlG57jWBMlqz1W6QLM_5Imyo7mfL6/s640/5765020048_21f7b10b44.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About to couple on to an S-bahn train</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aShrkN6sy61sMNzjodmTgO7VXJz3Q7sc4qutvmqaBivnfOJlvCDH4weiX3BTYtir9QTTmNN3qJWPkmPypjf-AWsup4Q10SQ81p1RWvFjPo7kY7vwMBsZLbrD1xtXP3T9R4e_5VN8qZTP/s1600/5764441645_6c01c87ae9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aShrkN6sy61sMNzjodmTgO7VXJz3Q7sc4qutvmqaBivnfOJlvCDH4weiX3BTYtir9QTTmNN3qJWPkmPypjf-AWsup4Q10SQ81p1RWvFjPo7kY7vwMBsZLbrD1xtXP3T9R4e_5VN8qZTP/s640/5764441645_6c01c87ae9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RailJet train from Vienna to Zurich using a standard OBB electric locomotive in a special paint scheme.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I found a shop that stocked English publications and bought a Terry Pratchett book "Unseen Academicals". I shall enjoy it, I know.<br />
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I have found a way to beat the motion detector in the bathroom area. All I have to do is to crawl around the corner on my hands and knees and slink around the shower.<br />
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Dinner tonight was at K & K., right in the Mozartsteg. It was very good.<br />
Tomato soup/consomme with wild garlic dumpling<br />
Beef/duck with white asparagus and potatoesColin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-33883265035160477202011-05-26T08:34:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:02:04.906-07:00Thursday 26 May - Hellbrun and NockerlWe decided to visit Hellbrun Palace and the Trick Fountains first thing. This involved another trip on the 25 bus. There was a gap in the service and when it eventually turned up it was full of small kids on an outing to the zoo. About 25 little munchkins all with yellow visibility vests provided courtesy of Spar grocers. The noise was deafening.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K8-TsmJQ7lQ/Td5yJKJdFUI/AAAAAAAABKs/w2-uA_HUnMo/s1600/5761454131_8a26f7c98f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K8-TsmJQ7lQ/Td5yJKJdFUI/AAAAAAAABKs/w2-uA_HUnMo/s640/5761454131_8a26f7c98f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M_BG8LU0fBc/Td5yLHLz9yI/AAAAAAAABKw/dO2rs_O9PjI/s1600/5761458997_26343fe846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M_BG8LU0fBc/Td5yLHLz9yI/AAAAAAAABKw/dO2rs_O9PjI/s640/5761458997_26343fe846.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f9htL0DGSm8/Td5yz_JrtsI/AAAAAAAABLA/f-s6Rx_Dd9c/s1600/5761463551_e6965a39df.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f9htL0DGSm8/Td5yz_JrtsI/AAAAAAAABLA/f-s6Rx_Dd9c/s640/5761463551_e6965a39df.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D-FJ3W_MJLA/Td5yPMJ7-TI/AAAAAAAABK4/3hG8nVtgS5k/s1600/5762031262_7e7275c85a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D-FJ3W_MJLA/Td5yPMJ7-TI/AAAAAAAABK4/3hG8nVtgS5k/s640/5762031262_7e7275c85a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>We walked to the Palace and joined a guided tour. This is the only way you can view the fountains because the guide knows how to turn them on and off. The fountains are all worked by gravity. Spurts of water come at you unexpectedly from all directions. Other groups had passed by and the trick was to see where the ground was dry because that area was safe from the water. It was a lot of fun and everyone enjoyed themselves even though everyone got wet. It was getting hot by this time so we quickly dried off.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TzB-977axCM/Td6BfJFBaoI/AAAAAAAABLE/Xfp83Mv0OHI/s1600/5761498873_99b24ac5b0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TzB-977axCM/Td6BfJFBaoI/AAAAAAAABLE/Xfp83Mv0OHI/s640/5761498873_99b24ac5b0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>There is also a mechanical organ with a whole town full of moving characters. Very impressive for a 'toy" that was constructed so long ago. It worked entirely by water.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" height="225" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=76cab1be43&photo_id=5842115015"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=76cab1be43&photo_id=5842115015" height="225" width="400"></embed></object> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAcodtPkNhY/Td5yQrnSYUI/AAAAAAAABK8/QRQbykR75BQ/s1600/5762066214_9f23ee5bb0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAcodtPkNhY/Td5yQrnSYUI/AAAAAAAABK8/QRQbykR75BQ/s640/5762066214_9f23ee5bb0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The palace itself did not hold our interest and we quickly left for the bus stop to return to town. We found three groups of children about 6 or 7 with their teachers all waiting for the bus. There must have been about thirty of them. When the bus arrived the lady driver didn't seem at all perturbed. The saner tourists got in at the front and the children all filed on and found seats. There were three highly excited kids and a teacher opposite us. One kid, by bouncing around, managed to unhinge his seat and he found himself, and the seat, on the floor. The teacher calmly put it back and placed him at another location. It was taken good naturedly and we got into conversation with a man who had worked at a winery in Kelowna - Mission Hill. He agreed with us that is is good for kids to get out on public transport like this - it teaches them social skills.<br />
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Back in Salzburg we stopped on the bridge over the Salzach River to video the boat doing its finale whirling around (that will eventually be in yesterday's blog) and we took the elevator the the Museum of Modern Art and the walk along the cliff top to Mullner. The brewery didn't open so we took a bus back into town and had lunch at a large beer garden. The highlight of the meal was Nockerl a light, but very large souffle, that was very filling. We found out it is a speciality of Salzburg and Vienna.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s6Llni5buJ4/Td5yNcLhr6I/AAAAAAAABK0/WmYmwmNIHBI/s1600/5761562099_79f4d0be3e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s6Llni5buJ4/Td5yNcLhr6I/AAAAAAAABK0/WmYmwmNIHBI/s640/5761562099_79f4d0be3e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nockerl</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>We visited Mozart's birthplace. It is a museum and not a very balanced one in that they only mentioned the good parts of his life.<br />
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It was so hot when we came out that we decided to head back to the hotel.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tvIoB_2bWlI/Td6BglDL9PI/AAAAAAAABLI/X8sS2pXdm2I/s1600/5762327946_b612c78afc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tvIoB_2bWlI/Td6BglDL9PI/AAAAAAAABLI/X8sS2pXdm2I/s640/5762327946_b612c78afc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> We went out again to hear the Glockenspiel while we sat looking at the fountain and watching the thunder and lightning build. It then began to rain heavily so we returned to the hotel.</div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-82506048532501006662011-05-25T10:26:00.000-07:002011-06-20T03:56:00.265-07:00Wednesday 25 May - Untersbergbahn, Salzach Boat Ride, Stigl Brewery and the Festung FortressIt was a very busy day today and we made full use of out Salzburg Cards. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cb6_tjiNFfI/Tf8nMFWH0FI/AAAAAAAABUU/gXem2t-iFDQ/s1600/Salzburg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cb6_tjiNFfI/Tf8nMFWH0FI/AAAAAAAABUU/gXem2t-iFDQ/s1600/Salzburg.jpg" /></a></div>We first took a bus out to the village of Grodig to ride the Untersbergbahn, the cable car to the top of the Untersberg. It was a city bus but the visual bus stop information was not working so we had to rely upon the audio announcements which were difficult to hear. We were outside the area shown on the bus map. It was pretty evident where we had to get off by the cable coming down to the lower station however, the bus stopped outside and turned off the engine as it was the end of the run!<br />
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The Untersbergbahn was very good and we had great views across the valley towards Salzburg where the fortress was quite visible. However, it was misty at the top and we decided to come right back down again.<br />
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We just caught a bus back into town and walked across the bridge to the boat landing. The 1200 boat was just leaving and we just managed to get on board. The man taking tickets said "Watch your step and watch for bicycles". He wasn't joking, we had to cross a bicycle path which was very well used. We have come to the realization when crossing the road that you have to be on the look out not only for cars but also for silent bicycles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8SKvz3ZwOI/Td1Az2c0lqI/AAAAAAAABKA/Nmx5A2rpjaE/s1600/5758541861_5cc517ed66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8SKvz3ZwOI/Td1Az2c0lqI/AAAAAAAABKA/Nmx5A2rpjaE/s640/5758541861_5cc517ed66.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salzach River</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eKgVkbuNfEg/Td1A9bFwFsI/AAAAAAAABKQ/Cr_5hQsElis/s1600/5759081772_420dbcd60a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eKgVkbuNfEg/Td1A9bFwFsI/AAAAAAAABKQ/Cr_5hQsElis/s640/5759081772_420dbcd60a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch your step - and the bicycles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The boat ride was pretty good. Because of the shallow water and speed of the flow the boat uses two jet engines. They took us a little way out of Salzburg and returned after about 40 minutes. Just before landing they started playing a waltz and left the boat spinning wildly while the crew walked away from the controls and looked away. After several circles they righted the boat and then set it spinning in the other direction. It was an amusing way to end the ride.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" height="225" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=9260fb39e7&photo_id=5842015713"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=9260fb39e7&photo_id=5842015713" height="225" width="400"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;">The tour boat doing wheelies</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-noB8g4xO12k/Td1A1WO18JI/AAAAAAAABKE/RiEXiiosjXM/s1600/5758560661_fb9aacdbfe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-noB8g4xO12k/Td1A1WO18JI/AAAAAAAABKE/RiEXiiosjXM/s640/5758560661_fb9aacdbfe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stigl brewery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We walked next to the bus stop for the ride the the Stigl brewery. The trolley bus took us there quickly and we walked the couple of hundred yards to the pleasantly situated brewery. Our passes gave us free entry to the exhibit which was set in an old brew house. It was well done although there were several sets of stairs to negotiate. We finished up in the beer garden where we were given samples of three different beers (about 600cl ) with some flat bread to try. We toasted our friend, Pat, who is a great beer aficionado. We thought we would be able to eat there but the kitchen apparently closed at 1400 although the staff didn't bother to tell us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L9o6vxgHQWY/Td1CtxnKznI/AAAAAAAABKc/qbPQk2xMzho/s1600/5759123714_21cc7bfefe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L9o6vxgHQWY/Td1CtxnKznI/AAAAAAAABKc/qbPQk2xMzho/s640/5759123714_21cc7bfefe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even Mozart drank beer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6k4waeNvC3E/Td1A_1q0tLI/AAAAAAAABKU/Rf0ma_vf8bo/s1600/5759133688_c02f386e25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6k4waeNvC3E/Td1A_1q0tLI/AAAAAAAABKU/Rf0ma_vf8bo/s640/5759133688_c02f386e25.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beer tasting</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>So it was back to the bus to return to town and drop off the two bottles of beer given us as gifts by the brewery. Then it was back out again to take the funicular railway, reputed to be the oldest in the world, up to the Festung Fortress. Here we visited several exhibits, notably the Marionette Museum, before taking a break at a terrace with a great view across the country towards the Untersberg. We had Apple Strudel and Cheese Strudel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OEH1FhmuCJo/Td1Cw_y-HjI/AAAAAAAABKg/GhrZ-yYnUug/s1600/5759157816_892c524e26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OEH1FhmuCJo/Td1Cw_y-HjI/AAAAAAAABKg/GhrZ-yYnUug/s640/5759157816_892c524e26.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marionette Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wHHzn_V3RKQ/Td1A4UcR_dI/AAAAAAAABKI/9FQB7jk0UGE/s1600/5758639019_cc3bed0df5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wHHzn_V3RKQ/Td1A4UcR_dI/AAAAAAAABKI/9FQB7jk0UGE/s640/5758639019_cc3bed0df5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Festung</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XH5QuoFJKMc/Td1A6qHyhPI/AAAAAAAABKM/N6jQ1QYXXcM/s1600/5758655709_4cb0ae68aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XH5QuoFJKMc/Td1A6qHyhPI/AAAAAAAABKM/N6jQ1QYXXcM/s640/5758655709_4cb0ae68aa.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View into the plaza by the cathedral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Next we came back down the funicular and walked through St. Peter's graveyard to admire the beautiful head pieces. Many of them are of wrought iron with gold paint or leaf.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zORdLNPGDxg/Td1DThsv92I/AAAAAAAABKo/3uvZMMLU7Pw/s1600/5758673965_69cb2c85fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zORdLNPGDxg/Td1DThsv92I/AAAAAAAABKo/3uvZMMLU7Pw/s640/5758673965_69cb2c85fb.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Peter's Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKrsRa_eogQ/Td1BC9-thFI/AAAAAAAABKY/92AgNPYTwXs/s1600/5759208916_990400524b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKrsRa_eogQ/Td1BC9-thFI/AAAAAAAABKY/92AgNPYTwXs/s640/5759208916_990400524b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The cathedral was on our way back to the hotel so we decided to look in. It is in good condition, but a bit dark. It is enormous. It has five organs, one large one placed at the back and four placed across the nave. Mozart is supposed to have played here, presumably the large one at the back. Without making any comments on the way the church used its power in the past, we left and returned to the hotel.Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-35919077718401042802011-05-24T06:43:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:00:42.100-07:00Tuesday 24 May - SalzburgWe left the hotel early and made our way to the station. There are plenty of trains from Innsbruck to Salzburg but several of the locals were running late and we decided on a regional express. This was severely delayed on the section through Germany because of extensive engineering work but with the judicious use of a recovery allowance we contrived to arrive almost on time.<br />
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Salzburg station looks as if it has been hit by a bomb. The whole place has been torn up and there are temporary walkways all over. It looks as if it will be great when completed but until then the station is a mess.<br />
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My first impression of modern Salzburg is that it is a mess. The streets are crowded and many parts of the town are torn up and in a state of disarray. We went to the Salzburg Tourist Office and bought a 24 hour pass on the transit system and used that to take the trolleybus to the Hotel Wolf. We are very centrally located in a small hotel close to the important tourist venues. The room is great, recently refurbished and the floor boards look to be made of solid wood about 15 inched wide.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uvJcFM8TyRE/TdyhZ0n64_I/AAAAAAAABJ8/y4uIWV3nFhY/s1600/5757659176_f2f9102216_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uvJcFM8TyRE/TdyhZ0n64_I/AAAAAAAABJ8/y4uIWV3nFhY/s640/5757659176_f2f9102216_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The paperback gives an indication of the width of the floor boards. Note the wooden pegs that have been inserted at an earlier time, then sanded over. This is original and it was restored by an old man who turned up at the hotel every day on his bike. The gaps between the boards have been plugged and then sanded down. This wasn't the widest of the boards used. The whole thing is beautiful.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We went back into the bomb site and tried to get a train that would take us to see the Attersee but OBB were in a state of disarray and with the connections concerned it was evident that it was going to be a difficult task.<br />
<br />
We took a trolley bus to see the Mirabel Gardens which are pleasant but very formal. From there we came back to Mozartsteg and walked around the area of the hotel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydszDy4ZBgI/Tdu6zhBCm2I/AAAAAAAABJs/mQLKCvU_q3c/s1600/5755022026_4d87b03b57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydszDy4ZBgI/Tdu6zhBCm2I/AAAAAAAABJs/mQLKCvU_q3c/s640/5755022026_4d87b03b57.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mirabel Gardens</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bw7xL9jksco/Tdu622W6oWI/AAAAAAAABJw/tV1TVDHPsLA/s1600/5755031522_533348328b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bw7xL9jksco/Tdu622W6oWI/AAAAAAAABJw/tV1TVDHPsLA/s640/5755031522_533348328b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Supper was outside at a beer place close to the hotel. The tables had been set up in the street. It would have been alright but a street cleaner machine came along and went round and round the square. Other cities, including Ottawa, do this at night.<br />
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We had a walk around the old town afterwards. The street signs are really interesting. Even McDonalds has been forced by the city to provide a sign in keeping with the area.<br />
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</div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-82862672821372202882011-05-23T11:55:00.000-07:002011-06-20T03:59:26.598-07:00Monday 23 May - InnsbruckHaving gained an appreciation of the things to see in the city, and with our Innsbruck Cards ready for use we set out in the morning to look at the things we had made a note of earlier. The clouds were over the mountains so we thought it would be best to do the in town items first in the hope that the clouds would lift later in the day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Vl9U-c6C9zJSufzvYuqHVNU2Hu9nQoMYHjresoTe_gu8NK_IcQTVv2yfCmXcja_Leavos__-yXBoipIOH-evj4b7cDfVPX3mCJXqFEwI_UgR28WlK9z6EFVqdbQAst62d5kguyh54i5l/s1600/5751941328_3d5df92118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Vl9U-c6C9zJSufzvYuqHVNU2Hu9nQoMYHjresoTe_gu8NK_IcQTVv2yfCmXcja_Leavos__-yXBoipIOH-evj4b7cDfVPX3mCJXqFEwI_UgR28WlK9z6EFVqdbQAst62d5kguyh54i5l/s640/5751941328_3d5df92118.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many of the city lamp posts are covered with vegetation - at times this obscures the road signs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>The Court Church was first on the list. Quite impressive with a large mausoleum built for Archduke Ferdinand. It took 100 years to complete and has never been used, his bones are at Wiener Neustadt. This is a typical example of the excesses and arrogance of the monarchy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aqykmbUKIbE/TdqzxBU3yOI/AAAAAAAABJQ/sX_SUmH5rSE/s1600/5751963022_168d7d7948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aqykmbUKIbE/TdqzxBU3yOI/AAAAAAAABJQ/sX_SUmH5rSE/s640/5751963022_168d7d7948.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
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</div>The Museum of Tyrolean Folk Art exceeded our expectations with many well thought-out displays. We were particularly impressed with the reconstructed rooms. All in wood, and presumably all original.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1eLH9ePwb8Q/TdqzxwzuqAI/AAAAAAAABJU/1ynQr_wQcqc/s1600/5751974928_07072fd4b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1eLH9ePwb8Q/TdqzxwzuqAI/AAAAAAAABJU/1ynQr_wQcqc/s640/5751974928_07072fd4b1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1eLH9ePwb8Q/TdqzxwzuqAI/AAAAAAAABJU/1ynQr_wQcqc/s1600/5751974928_07072fd4b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Next on the list was the Hofburg, the Imperial Palace. This bore a resemblance to Versailles with its hall of mirrors. Another example of the incredible excesses of the monarchy. The palace is well maintained and preserved.<br />
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Our final visit was St. James' Cathedral. Again, this was well maintained.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-nGFyqzsNc/TdqztXegyvI/AAAAAAAABJE/vGxiSpCgM8o/s1600/5751442993_c35b2429e1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-nGFyqzsNc/TdqztXegyvI/AAAAAAAABJE/vGxiSpCgM8o/s640/5751442993_c35b2429e1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The Innsbruck Card certainly made it easy to obtain entry, no line-ups and the automatic ticket readers speeded things up considerably.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqbjgEAo5uc/Tdqzy60ruII/AAAAAAAABJY/I5XWjlmHrQo/s1600/5751999994_77555b45c8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqbjgEAo5uc/Tdqzy60ruII/AAAAAAAABJY/I5XWjlmHrQo/s640/5751999994_77555b45c8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hungerburgbahn bridge over the River Inns</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>There were still clouds at the top of the mountain but we decided to go up around midday. The first part is a modern cable railway, the Hungerburgbahn, with a bridge over the Inns river. It is partially in tunnel and there are stops at the river and also the Alpenzoo. We transferred directly to the cablecar to Seegrube and again directly to Hafelkar. It was still cloudy at the top but breaks in the cloud gave us some good views of the mountains.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NbcwCzZ43gI/Tdqzu4vooPI/AAAAAAAABJI/5TDT5I6KN74/s1600/5751469035_7043e218e7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NbcwCzZ43gI/Tdqzu4vooPI/AAAAAAAABJI/5TDT5I6KN74/s640/5751469035_7043e218e7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We came back down again to Hungerburg which was in full sun. Lunch was a beer with goulash soup/soup with a bacon dumpling. Both dishes were local specialties.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ByJMf6Rrgb8/Tdq0xdR3w8I/AAAAAAAABJc/7aq6WoHvpOg/s1600/5752040996_6994c51901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ByJMf6Rrgb8/Tdq0xdR3w8I/AAAAAAAABJc/7aq6WoHvpOg/s640/5752040996_6994c51901.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soup with a bacon dumpling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The Innsbruck card also allowed us to enter the Alpenzoo which, in many ways was a mistake. For at least half of the cages we couldn't find anything. Many of the areas were heavily overgrown and had many dead trees in them making it extremely difficult to see the animals. The vultures and eagles looked very sorry for themselves in their cages while the bear was pacing back and forth in the same part - a sure sign of stress. The moose had a very small, hillside area and this for an animal which spends much of its time in water. There were two beavers, one of which just swam round and round and round - obviously stressed. In a word the Alpenzoo is <b>disgusting</b>. It should be closed, or left just for the farmyard animals who are used to being cooped up in small areas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDu6u1rC0KXLUPDfYPSnIrYj17fslKXIFq3ZJXL3NyLmq6IhbX3At8WJzBjduMSiMotAIgmQSwmI8xAVDx0mbhhIFXdnitbFMYyF_KqfyXuXXF1_ayibTWnDkqG2jQPj_6sMkNqZZNj5i/s1600/5752057232_31dfcda2d1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDu6u1rC0KXLUPDfYPSnIrYj17fslKXIFq3ZJXL3NyLmq6IhbX3At8WJzBjduMSiMotAIgmQSwmI8xAVDx0mbhhIFXdnitbFMYyF_KqfyXuXXF1_ayibTWnDkqG2jQPj_6sMkNqZZNj5i/s640/5752057232_31dfcda2d1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hungerburgbahn at Alpenzoo station</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>We sadly made our way back to the Hungerburgbahn and returned back to Innsbruck.<br />
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Later in the early evening we took tram #1 to the end of the line close to the Inns River and walked along a very pleasant riverside path back into town. The Imperial Gardens were well worth a visit. In one part a number of people were playing chess with giant pieces against a backdrop of yellow Iris. By the pond, a family of ducklings was settling down for the night.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nln6WTiblIs/Tdq01G6gA1I/AAAAAAAABJk/K_qo3kvHCMg/s1600/5752080964_37a3e79a5a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nln6WTiblIs/Tdq01G6gA1I/AAAAAAAABJk/K_qo3kvHCMg/s640/5752080964_37a3e79a5a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imperial Gardens</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-49RZwwaF6Fs/Tdq030yqXrI/AAAAAAAABJo/Y_4tn2TX2mI/s1600/5752086990_6dedb179f0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-49RZwwaF6Fs/Tdq030yqXrI/AAAAAAAABJo/Y_4tn2TX2mI/s640/5752086990_6dedb179f0.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ducklings getting ready for the night - the mother had already settled down, invisible in the grass a short way away.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We found an out-of-the-way restaurant not five minutes from the main tourist area. We each had a beer and Tyrolean Grostl - beef heated in a pan with potatoes and onions. There was a side salad. It was excellent but very filling. The waiter told us it was a typical dish of this area.<br />
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We leave Innsbruck tomorrow so need to get out all our information on Salzburg.Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-67309117172848288692011-05-22T08:28:00.000-07:002011-06-20T03:57:36.169-07:00Sunday 22 May - Innsbruck - Stubaitalbahn and bicyclesAmazing - we found out today that we are staying in the room next to the room used by Wolfgang Mozart when he stayed here.<br />
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The hotel breakfast is very good and the great thing about being in this location is that we can get around early before the tourists come out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-781v-cndVB0/TdkmXrmIgqI/AAAAAAAABIE/h9_jwKxC5hM/s1600/P1020604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-781v-cndVB0/TdkmXrmIgqI/AAAAAAAABIE/h9_jwKxC5hM/s640/P1020604.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the restaurant</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Golden Roof</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tjROJga6H6I/Tdknm6Rt0bI/AAAAAAAABIU/V4CUPdTna_A/s1600/P1020632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tjROJga6H6I/Tdknm6Rt0bI/AAAAAAAABIU/V4CUPdTna_A/s640/P1020632.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N8ogdFxtYwE/Tdkn1uresKI/AAAAAAAABIY/wk0oEqW1SMc/s1600/P1020633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N8ogdFxtYwE/Tdkn1uresKI/AAAAAAAABIY/wk0oEqW1SMc/s640/P1020633.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clock maker's sign</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>We took a quick look around the old town and realized that it can be seen quite quickly. We then went to the Tourist Office and worked out that a 48 hour Innsbruck Card would enable us to go right to the top of the Nordkette, give us what entrances we want to the other sights and free use of city transport until we leave for Saltzburg.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QskjQQqMMV4/Tf8ngcJQuHI/AAAAAAAABUY/bWkA8iWpJRA/s1600/Insbruck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QskjQQqMMV4/Tf8ngcJQuHI/AAAAAAAABUY/bWkA8iWpJRA/s1600/Insbruck.jpg" /></a></div> The first order of business was to ride the Stubaitalbahn up to Fulpnes. This is a narrow gauge tramway that is now run by the city.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5It8xFbleIi9k3TfVA8vcla0i4V8Eo2ulZMhjDnHQFirBhF24jaJKuURzHkLK-4R_yI9pG3eE4Xkr3STn_aEnW68AHIcPtZ2F67PeFqZcIZcL_LUUgh7BtwTxupsS7_bAGc_hpUeMNfpM/s1600/P1020641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5It8xFbleIi9k3TfVA8vcla0i4V8Eo2ulZMhjDnHQFirBhF24jaJKuURzHkLK-4R_yI9pG3eE4Xkr3STn_aEnW68AHIcPtZ2F67PeFqZcIZcL_LUUgh7BtwTxupsS7_bAGc_hpUeMNfpM/s640/P1020641.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standard city trams are now used on the Stubaitalbahn - outside the Hauptbahnhof</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">We started off running on city streets. When we reached the STB car barns, however, we went right through the yard and immediately started climbing. The grades are severe as is the curvature in places. The line serves small communities but it also goes through dense forests and there are several tall curved viaducts. Four lads got on with their bikes for a ride uphill. When it came time for them to get off, they pressed the door open button, got on their bikes inside the tram and rode straight out on to the platform. They have great confidence in platform heights being close to car heights.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFS45ZKjVz8e3Tb_wdKrEXphpYVHwPCgvyQYkvvPLITOVhZx9PHPlXl6_iVuT7GQiFQQBRGND37gY73r5iAwPURAKynRzW8plkKXR4eydMTTeQ1iYPWNcIpezylL2EPogaPs8ylea3l_1j/s1600/P1020653.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFS45ZKjVz8e3Tb_wdKrEXphpYVHwPCgvyQYkvvPLITOVhZx9PHPlXl6_iVuT7GQiFQQBRGND37gY73r5iAwPURAKynRzW8plkKXR4eydMTTeQ1iYPWNcIpezylL2EPogaPs8ylea3l_1j/s640/P1020653.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first tram took us to Kreith which is a little way from the end of the line. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">We had no idea where Kreith was but it seemed to be in the right direction so we went out on the tram anyway. Each tram has a number of screens which give the next station and the next three stops so it was easy to find out when we were getting close to Kreith. We had to wait 30 minutes for the tram to take us to Fulpmes which is quite a large village but there was very little open on a Sunday so, after an ice cream, we decided to return to Innsbruck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ldpEmSmqYBk/Tdn4t-0S3_I/AAAAAAAABI4/WcDuSoSvAT0/s1600/5747428435_e15f8f464d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ldpEmSmqYBk/Tdn4t-0S3_I/AAAAAAAABI4/WcDuSoSvAT0/s640/5747428435_e15f8f464d.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ldpEmSmqYBk/Tdn4t-0S3_I/AAAAAAAABI4/WcDuSoSvAT0/s1600/5747428435_e15f8f464d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ldpEmSmqYBk/Tdn4t-0S3_I/AAAAAAAABI4/WcDuSoSvAT0/s640/5747428435_e15f8f464d.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tram for Fulpmes arriving at Kreith</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j8rJ2-AC0bP9S3I1fMrBhyUDBuu0HhMdhZmhQYLDPtU0IbjzFruQHQ4jDw-7ygR-nOb0EmIESdsYuKG8bl1j-YbvD6do56FCduLyuoZwJm8rFtlIa5vdhLmkeRxg-xlDtN3J24VlbW3r/s1600/5748099746_08a70dd3a9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j8rJ2-AC0bP9S3I1fMrBhyUDBuu0HhMdhZmhQYLDPtU0IbjzFruQHQ4jDw-7ygR-nOb0EmIESdsYuKG8bl1j-YbvD6do56FCduLyuoZwJm8rFtlIa5vdhLmkeRxg-xlDtN3J24VlbW3r/s640/5748099746_08a70dd3a9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fulpmes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEM1krSB44pRh7UegXAL9GpF-mq9Y1wLgIix5zN-hOGK8jAPsOQkWRijPVxnHgOAtuiuMJC9XrhtTj1QXq1oxgR0kddFyi8iAf30BsrQrus7u4vcJlk-cfusn4ELgm_LY0OZk_m0zdF83f/s1600/5747953748_7f7c335299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEM1krSB44pRh7UegXAL9GpF-mq9Y1wLgIix5zN-hOGK8jAPsOQkWRijPVxnHgOAtuiuMJC9XrhtTj1QXq1oxgR0kddFyi8iAf30BsrQrus7u4vcJlk-cfusn4ELgm_LY0OZk_m0zdF83f/s640/5747953748_7f7c335299.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fulpmes</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cmFQe3jdFm9Dy_WP2OZHKFI6ZnBTFlZZlUtnTaYF35B4N9X5JBDAB09oJmxGykNTIto3GmMh5cSTF-Q3dywx2C2vWcAkP1HZwMdFwNE_uj_jex6GKf7KKSXezIJhYBxJIV1cH_LkZhsP/s1600/5747959076_70c92ffc48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cmFQe3jdFm9Dy_WP2OZHKFI6ZnBTFlZZlUtnTaYF35B4N9X5JBDAB09oJmxGykNTIto3GmMh5cSTF-Q3dywx2C2vWcAkP1HZwMdFwNE_uj_jex6GKf7KKSXezIJhYBxJIV1cH_LkZhsP/s640/5747959076_70c92ffc48.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the return to Innsbruck</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VMZP0L3PWAs/Tdn3TIoK5sI/AAAAAAAABI0/8XV6fYhJ4RY/s1600/5747973266_5df877992d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VMZP0L3PWAs/Tdn3TIoK5sI/AAAAAAAABI0/8XV6fYhJ4RY/s640/5747973266_5df877992d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch was a pretzel and shandy in a church car park. The owner was very pleasant but a bearded model started operating every so often. Someone was watching motor racing on TV inside. There were large umbrellas which had just been taken down when a heavy wind storm came in.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIk4JlGBjVlXO_i2-gqYIR36t9XDAtQiZ54tgRfc6QGjv0Low5lW2jlXp2jR68yDXWauhYpC8La_35nVXmNj13EVArhpkVQNoY8AYINRMgznAxdOTzOF98H11MOPLj322WAzb2JZkIK1a/s1600/5747556515_4c6e37ec61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIk4JlGBjVlXO_i2-gqYIR36t9XDAtQiZ54tgRfc6QGjv0Low5lW2jlXp2jR68yDXWauhYpC8La_35nVXmNj13EVArhpkVQNoY8AYINRMgznAxdOTzOF98H11MOPLj322WAzb2JZkIK1a/s640/5747556515_4c6e37ec61.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the tram stop for Igls</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">We got out at the Stubaitalbahn station and walked to the terminus for the tram to Igls, stopping for a shandy at a bar which had been set up at a church parking lot and close to the cemetery. Waiting for the tram we noticed a great number of people with bicycles, about 20 in all. Then a substitute bus turned up. We got on board and sat down to enjoy the fun. There were four bicycles and two large dogs in the bus and four bikes on the rack outside at the back. After some frantic calls over the radio, a city pick-up truck arrived with a trailer to carry the excess bikes. All the passengers scrambled into the bus which felt as if the heating was on full bore. A tram would have been more useful but we eventually got to Igls. By this time it was raining so we decided to stay on the bus which brought us back to Innsbruck and a connection with a tram back to the hotel.</div></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-57347630181256136862011-05-21T09:48:00.000-07:002011-06-19T09:43:52.722-07:00Saturday 21 May - Paris to ZurichToday went very easily - much easier than I had anticipated. The Metro was quiet at this time on a Saturday morning although we had our longest wait for a train at Barbes Rochechouard - 5 minutes!<br />
0824 TGV Paris Est to Zurich 1324.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GefpRFiauS8/TdgBe5FzeaI/AAAAAAAABH0/l1oaMEzdj5k/s1600/P1020592.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GefpRFiauS8/TdgBe5FzeaI/AAAAAAAABH0/l1oaMEzdj5k/s640/P1020592.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today there were no soldiers with automatic weapons hiding in the flowers of Gare de l'Est</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2vwoQ60s5k/TdgB1os87pI/AAAAAAAABH4/AUobplb6fFc/s1600/P1020595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2vwoQ60s5k/TdgB1os87pI/AAAAAAAABH4/AUobplb6fFc/s640/P1020595.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Our train left on time and stayed on time right through to Zurich. After Basel there were very few people in first class but we stopped at several places before Zurich and picked up some local passengers then. Zurich was very busy but we found a snack and some chocolate and it was time to board the RailJet to Insbruck.<br />
1440 Zurich to Insbruck 1806<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W-lEUh_tKQs/TdgCDF4AdwI/AAAAAAAABH8/x_oHJO6-U3E/s1600/P1020596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W-lEUh_tKQs/TdgCDF4AdwI/AAAAAAAABH8/x_oHJO6-U3E/s640/P1020596.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The train was practically empty. All through the cars there are screens like the one above giving the schedule and the actual times achieved. At each station the connections with other trains as well as local buses are shown. The speed was also shown. This allowed us to keep track of our progress and knew precisely when we would arrive at Insbruck - on time of course.<br />
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Around Reichenburg, still in Switzerland, I saw some tank traps in the grass next to the railway line. Haven't seen tank traps for many years. <br />
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The section through the Aarlberg pass to St. Anton was an amazing climb. We passed over some high viaducts and saw the snow on many mountain peaks.<br />
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We walked to the hotel in Insbruck. It is in a great location in the old city and Mozart, among others stayed here. I wonder which room he had!<br />
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After checking in we went for a walk through the old town. It was pretty busy and there were some crazies, the most notable being a man with a hat shaped like a pink pig and carrying a blow-up naked woman. We decided to have a drink and a meal at a quiet place on a side street. We sat outside. It started fine but the rain came on and we had to finish inside. We had rabbit and Wiener schnitzel.<br />
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</a></div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1557856400949554376.post-1671218877148811302011-05-20T00:02:00.000-07:002011-06-19T09:42:54.840-07:00Friday 20 May - Our last day in Paris.There are so many boulangeries close to us that it is very difficult to know where to shop. I went out early thin morning to buy croissants at three locations so that we could compare them. These are the bakers I went to.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BQsoA8GDlJA/TdYQ68tMJpI/AAAAAAAABHY/1FfnMqMEAJA/s1600/P1020579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BQsoA8GDlJA/TdYQ68tMJpI/AAAAAAAABHY/1FfnMqMEAJA/s640/P1020579.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rue Legendre</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-heoBuhL1G2Y/TdYRCY506HI/AAAAAAAABHc/Ey6RF4kGb3E/s1600/P1020580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-heoBuhL1G2Y/TdYRCY506HI/AAAAAAAABHc/Ey6RF4kGb3E/s640/P1020580.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rue des Dames</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y8l6g55GWtA/TdYRmWDfXdI/AAAAAAAABHk/nAKoq4xAMcY/s1600/P1020581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y8l6g55GWtA/TdYRmWDfXdI/AAAAAAAABHk/nAKoq4xAMcY/s640/P1020581.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rue de Levis</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCnMwSlELsI/TdYRRIHrvwI/AAAAAAAABHg/A_BHLnVLANA/s1600/P1020583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCnMwSlELsI/TdYRRIHrvwI/AAAAAAAABHg/A_BHLnVLANA/s640/P1020583.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right - Levis, Dames, Legendre</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">We enjoyed all three of them. Levis had less salt and, for that reason we preferred it, but all were excellent.<br />
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We went to the Bastille this morning and walked along the canal to the Seine. We came across two old men who appeared to be brothers, identically dressed and carrying identical folding chairs. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEf2dfJbbXiny-23zwcc6i6QKKjFD0I-X0T4gI3cll7s6sZVE5CFzBrd9R6Dl8X9GKLDUIeKXHzRSGGAGy3a_v8Je25_hKWCpz7OzBTeE8bWH2efcLFm3pTsCuXZcQKFMbUO135lmYMNg/s1600/P1020584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEf2dfJbbXiny-23zwcc6i6QKKjFD0I-X0T4gI3cll7s6sZVE5CFzBrd9R6Dl8X9GKLDUIeKXHzRSGGAGy3a_v8Je25_hKWCpz7OzBTeE8bWH2efcLFm3pTsCuXZcQKFMbUO135lmYMNg/s640/P1020584.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tweedledum and Tweedledee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LTT6d8t6JIo/TdZsKII8ZUI/AAAAAAAABHs/cbAyKsZfgoo/s1600/P1020587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LTT6d8t6JIo/TdZsKII8ZUI/AAAAAAAABHs/cbAyKsZfgoo/s640/P1020587.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clock strung out from the side of a church tower on the Isle de St. Louis.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was then on to the Isle St. Louis where we had lunch at a place we have been to before. In spite of the constant bickering between the husband and wife running the place we had a good meal although we were the only people in for lunch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3fco1FVx0so/TdZsQp-hEfI/AAAAAAAABHw/4FAog1eBjWA/s1600/P1020588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3fco1FVx0so/TdZsQp-hEfI/AAAAAAAABHw/4FAog1eBjWA/s640/P1020588.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stained glass in the restaurant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Dessert was an ice cream from Berthillon.<br />
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We had intended to walk through the Cite flower, market across and past the Louvre, through the Tuileries and Place de la Concorde. However it was so full of tourists that we gave up just after the Louvre and came back. A quick visit to Monoprix for food for the train tomorrow and we came back to the apartment.<br />
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Late this evening we had finished our packing and were just getting into bed when there was a sound as if from an accordion right outside our window. We saw an organ grinder with a hurdy girdy singing away to his heart's content. All the neighbours were hanging out of their windows, laughing and singing along. What a send off!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSNrwtZ44QXJvS_y0BF_TtLFcbaghvSW-Ik7ecWCmOFij_EtRmhjV0z4WmNwHE5tO9OFeOLTSZtOh_Pqhsk8Cq8TChay5BgqIBSDhCDL7yqoXapEN31T3TNBPTwF2gfyifov9UfgGGl22/s1600/Hurdygirdy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSNrwtZ44QXJvS_y0BF_TtLFcbaghvSW-Ik7ecWCmOFij_EtRmhjV0z4WmNwHE5tO9OFeOLTSZtOh_Pqhsk8Cq8TChay5BgqIBSDhCDL7yqoXapEN31T3TNBPTwF2gfyifov9UfgGGl22/s640/Hurdygirdy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emcm2aW6o6Q/TdgFMnxuXZI/AAAAAAAABIA/URFvEbtIXEs/s1600/P1020591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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</div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0