12 July - Vienna
Me again
– GillieB . We began the day in the hotel restaurant, mulling over
the possibilities for the day – weather being warm and fine. With
Austrian breakfast and Chris's laptop – Christopher has very kindly
lent us his – we decided that attractive as the Monet to Picasso
exhibition was we would need some time to do it justice and the
countryside beckoned. So we jumped into our car and headed into the
Wachau valley – 40km long we were informed and a UNESCO designated
'pretty place'. The drive was picturesque. Austria is patterned with
cropping – extensive fields sown with wheat / sun flowers / maize
and or corn . In the midst of these acres of crops are large stands
of trees – in large clumps or rows or alongside the 'local roads”
and autobahns. Countryside went from flat or gently undulating to
small hills and valleys as we approached the Wachua.We drove beside
the town of Melk, crossed the Danube ( Donau) and drove through the
small settlement of Emmersdorf – up into much higher country via
delicious windy roads with great surfaces ( unlike those of one of
the motor ways to Prague we encountered the next day!) – going
through a small settlement called Hain and thence St Georgen with
delicious houses and farm yards all built in a quite typical style we
were recognising as Austrian and came down to the Donau again via a
tiny road the width of our car at about 45 degrees. Stephen got very
excited and lots of 'Wows' were expleted!!. Entering Emmersdof again
we then headed back up into the hilly stuff and drove revelling in
the views and passing more flower bedecked villages and onion domed
churches until reaching Maria Lach we we had to stop. So many
features of which made us ooh and ahh! The information booth –
sitting in the village centre had a wonderful, free, map for trampers
of the local walks. Great! We seized that with alacrity and made of
with it, GillieB telling Stephen what was what in the region for the
rest of the drive. Our conversation went something like...”Oh
Stephen , look at that tower over in that village!It's an onion tower
that's had a baby – i.e. reproduced a smaller onion on top”
“Where, what tower?” “ Oh, sorry, it's gone now!” ( He won't
let me drive!!!”)
We
meandered along the quiet road, up hills and down hills marvelling at
the cropping. I am very impressed by the intelligence of the
sunflower flower . They turn their faces, without exception, toward
whence comes the sun! Sometimes that means we see their faces as we
blast on by, burning diesel fumes for them to breathe. Other times
they have their heads turned determinedly away in sun worshipping
attitudes. Lovely! Oh – and the sun flowers we have seen in Austria
/ France and Cheska are much small versions of our NZ sunflowers . I
conjecture this may be due to them being bred in more ancient soils
and thence more knowledgeable about the expenditure of effort to grow
the leafy greeny plant thing in ratio to the seeds produced in
relation to bangs for your buck ratio or, dare I say it,
genetic modification. Same for the wheat and maize plants.
Back to
the journey. We carried on wandering along the small , narrow road
until coming back to the Donau at Spitz. Stephen ground to a halt at
this point – as he had spied a wine cellar with tasting. Lovely,
light white and rose were acquired and on we went to Durnstein –
also on the river. We parked and climbed up through narrow paths to
this town – very old and atmospheric. 1193. That Richard Lion heart
was up to his usual military antics and this time was caught,
incarcerated by one Leopold I of the district. There he stayed until
rescued by his besotted mother – Eleanor of Aquitaine (sp?) who
ransomed this driven son of hers. Not much left of the ancient stuff
but fascinating for GB and Stephen enjoyed the views, bless him!!! We
had lunch in the modern area of the town, near the river. Stephen
enjoyed his traditional Frankfurter with dark, solid brown bread. I
am still reminiscing about my crème suppe – zucchini! Wow – I am
sure I will never be able to replicate this dish. Light – creamy
and with such a zucchini enhanced flavour. The French are wonderful
cooks. The Italians just as amazing – the Austrian food – less
press but truly amazing flavours – just a different style. I
haven't managed to acquire an Austrian recipe book but google is a
wonderful thing.
OK –
back beside the Donau we travelled back to Vienna – more sites and
things to think about en route and then Vienna at rush hour and with
road works!!! Jut like NZ! More time to take in the buildings and
people ( did a lot of that the night before in Vienna while we ate
dinner. )
Interruption:
Not sure if we have said but there a a lot of women – and I expect
men also – of Muslim tradition in Vienna and Salzburg. Many fully
burka-ed and others in long robes with head scarfs, Some with head
scarves with very sexy tops, bottoms and shoes. All women whether
burka–ed or otherwise were texting and talking on cell phones at
all times.
Ok –
we ate at Martins again that night ( having gone in search
unsuccessfully of other eating houses with appeal) – this time I
was disappointed with the meat dish but Stephen in paradise with his
pasta dish. No worries as I grazed with enthusiasm on my potato salad
and green salad – I do have to suss out the ingredients for the
dressing they use on sauerkraut and potato salad.
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