Pouring when we woke up and not easing up most of the day.
Togged up and set off undeterred for the bus to Going, taking the hotel brollies as extra protection. Followed one of the set routes that went along parallel to the main road before turning uphill into the ski area. Quite a strenuous climb in places, in constant straight-down rain.
Reached the restaurant at the top but sorry, closed for a Ruhetage because of the bad weather. Continued down and along to Ellmau for a brief stop-over in the room before lunch in the Mexican restaurant.
Back for a snooze.
Saturday, 5 September 2015
Austria - 4 September
Awoke to sunshine!
Set off for Salzburg in a very full Inghams coach, with people from hotels in several local villages. Nice scenery along the way, getting there in time for the pre-lunch guided tour of the old city by a British resident Trudi who gave us a well practised introduction to the main sights.
We were then let loose until 3.30 and started by going up the funicular to the Festung Hohensalzburg castle that dominates the city.
Great views in all directions. Didn't bother with the museum so came back down and found a restaurant for an al fresco lunch watching the world go by.
Walked on afterwards, crossing the bridge festooned with love padlocks and on to the Mirabellgarten. Stopped off for refreshments at the building where Mozart lived for several years, then headed back to Motzartplatz to hand in our playing cards that George used as his headcount check. Everyone back more or less promptly, heeding the warning that the bus would leave regardless.
The hotel had its gala 5 course dinner in the evening. Then the band started its delayed concert on the street but we didn't stay long, instead doing another circuit of the town before turning in.
Set off for Salzburg in a very full Inghams coach, with people from hotels in several local villages. Nice scenery along the way, getting there in time for the pre-lunch guided tour of the old city by a British resident Trudi who gave us a well practised introduction to the main sights.
We were then let loose until 3.30 and started by going up the funicular to the Festung Hohensalzburg castle that dominates the city.
Great views in all directions. Didn't bother with the museum so came back down and found a restaurant for an al fresco lunch watching the world go by.
Walked on afterwards, crossing the bridge festooned with love padlocks and on to the Mirabellgarten. Stopped off for refreshments at the building where Mozart lived for several years, then headed back to Motzartplatz to hand in our playing cards that George used as his headcount check. Everyone back more or less promptly, heeding the warning that the bus would leave regardless.
The hotel had its gala 5 course dinner in the evening. Then the band started its delayed concert on the street but we didn't stay long, instead doing another circuit of the town before turning in.
Austria - 3 September
Very overcast when we awoke, feeling that rain wasn't far away. Breakfast had magically appeared at the Claudia, with a decent spread of meats, cheeses, cereals etc. Again shown to an appointed table for the duration of our stay, in one of three small dining rooms.
Caught the free Kaiserjet bus to the neighbouring town Scheffau and set off on a walk up along the river valley along one of a number of designated walking routes. Made for Hinterschiesslingalm eventually, a popular stopping place for walkers, where we had refreshments before starting back down to Scheffau.
Found a nice eating place called Gasthaus Weberbauer where we sat outside for our lunch before catching the bus back to Ellmau. Walked around the large church before getting on the bus, intrigued by the very decorative tombstones with their mini gardens and photos of the departed inmates. Later saw similar ones in Ellmau, many with lit candles in red glass holders.
Buffet supper this time, before the wine tasting in glorious isolation at the Weinatelier Agnes, ie just us from the Inghams contingent. Interesting enough but not wowed by the selection and feeling the need of the promised great social event.
Dry day but cool.
Caught the free Kaiserjet bus to the neighbouring town Scheffau and set off on a walk up along the river valley along one of a number of designated walking routes. Made for Hinterschiesslingalm eventually, a popular stopping place for walkers, where we had refreshments before starting back down to Scheffau.
Found a nice eating place called Gasthaus Weberbauer where we sat outside for our lunch before catching the bus back to Ellmau. Walked around the large church before getting on the bus, intrigued by the very decorative tombstones with their mini gardens and photos of the departed inmates. Later saw similar ones in Ellmau, many with lit candles in red glass holders.
Buffet supper this time, before the wine tasting in glorious isolation at the Weinatelier Agnes, ie just us from the Inghams contingent. Interesting enough but not wowed by the selection and feeling the need of the promised great social event.
Dry day but cool.
Austria - Wednesday 2 September
Woken by the alarm at 4.05 and away to Stansted at 4.45.
Deposited car at the Meet & Greet and went through check-in and security without undue delay. Had a snack before the flight at about 7.30, all on time and uneventful flight to Salzburg.
The bags appeared immediately so soon onto the bus destined for Ellmau, very conscious of the elderly nature of our fellow travellers. Deposited at the Claudia hotel and moved into our functional room in what looks to be a typical ski chalet. No one around since this is an unmanned annexe to the main Hochfilzer hotel a few hundred yards away.
Had a quick tour of the town including a lunch stop at a restaurant off the main street, then bought some essential provisions. Had to cadge some cups from the chamber maid for our tea brewing.
Went for our welcome briefing from tour rep George, who'd also been on the bus where he'd given us a halting general introduction to the holiday.
After a nap went back to the Hochfilzer for our evening meal, being directed away from the main dining room to our appointed table for the week in a smaller room and our smiling waiter Marc.
Deposited car at the Meet & Greet and went through check-in and security without undue delay. Had a snack before the flight at about 7.30, all on time and uneventful flight to Salzburg.
The bags appeared immediately so soon onto the bus destined for Ellmau, very conscious of the elderly nature of our fellow travellers. Deposited at the Claudia hotel and moved into our functional room in what looks to be a typical ski chalet. No one around since this is an unmanned annexe to the main Hochfilzer hotel a few hundred yards away.
Had a quick tour of the town including a lunch stop at a restaurant off the main street, then bought some essential provisions. Had to cadge some cups from the chamber maid for our tea brewing.
Went for our welcome briefing from tour rep George, who'd also been on the bus where he'd given us a halting general introduction to the holiday.
After a nap went back to the Hochfilzer for our evening meal, being directed away from the main dining room to our appointed table for the week in a smaller room and our smiling waiter Marc.
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