Here and There

The last few days we’ve been having fun exploring the countryside, both in our are and into the Czech Republic. Forrest walks and historic sights mixed up with lunches in the countryside have been interesting and relaxing. 

We have also had some time together with local friends we have made. Harald and Eva live in a nearby village in a very old farm house property. We went over for coffee and cake yesterday and an evening at his favourite Heuringer, a countryside wine tasting place where we spent the evening.

Ludvice Manor, Czech R.



Windmill above Retz

Walking along the Kamp River





Some artwork in our garden

Old ruin looking over the Kamp River

Nelly the dog

Eva in her garden 

Harald and Mike 

A younger Harald!

Harald and Eva’s home, or part of it anyway.

A Day in Vienna

Had the best day in Vienna! In early for breakfast and coffee at Prueckles. Walked to the Leopold Museum and spent the afternoon there enjoying some art history and had a late lunch in their cafe. Took a ride on a Ferris wheel in the Praterstern park and then a train home. 

Great breakfast at Prueckles coffee shop starts the day!



In Vienna you get a discount on Museum tickets if you are 60. Sorry Pam...



Looking out from within. Leopold Museum



St. Stephan’s Church

Ferris Wheel ride

Pam enjoying the ride 

Kellargassen - Wine Cellar Lanes

Had a crash course in the Austrian wine cellar tradition last evening. We were biking in the countryside and were passing one of the hundreds of the private roadside cellars you see everywhere. There was a group having a glass and they invited us to join them. We spent a very nice hour or two with them, had a tour of the wine cellar and got directions to a famous cellar lane which we checked out today. Interesting concept that goes back centuries.

Sitting outside the wine cellar

Harold, Mike and cellar owner Florian





Inside the cellar, comes complete with a toad.

Wine cellar lane, nearby where we are staying

Old wine barrel repurposed 

Some Kellergassen are wine tasting businesses

Entrance way

Vents leading down into the cellars

Cesky Krumlov - Holiday within a holiday

Pam took me to this beautiful little Czech town for my birthday. Got here yesterday and we leave tomorrow. Interesting, colourful and entertaining location, highly recommend it to anyone.

Our room. Owner is an artist with with a Bohemian flare.


Access to the cellar bathroom is by a trap door in the bedroom.

Vltava or Moldau river

From the Castle

Marionettes in the Museum 

Wachau - Krems to Melk

Why do little word plays jump to mind so often with the German language? Krems to Melk, it’s just too easy to play with. We see them all the time and I guess it’s because the English language has some German roots so they seem familiar. Just wish that helped me in my day to day communication.

Pam and I had the pleasure of visiting the Wachau region on the Danube river today. Traveling both the north and south shores we took our time and had a good look around. It must be one of Austria’s most beautiful areas. A little less tamed than we thought it would be, looks like nature still has a say along this famous waterway.  The grape vines are forming up nicely and the apricots are ready to eat. Pam thought the area is like the BC Interior is some ways, wine and fruit, just less castles.

Dürnstein

Dürnstein Blue Church

Dürnstein looking across the Danube

Dürnstein Village

River crossing foot passenger and bike ferry

Bird tracks along the shoreline

Pam searching for treasure along the shore

Tour boat ready to sail

Town of Melk of Melk Abby fame

Bee homes?

South side of the Danube looking north