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Fiona Boult

Fiona Boult

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    • Austria - Wolfgangsee/Strobl

      Hiking round Wolfgangsee

      26 августа 2024 г., Австрия ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

      The forecast for a cool and cloudy day proved accurate.
      Our plan had been to ride up to the top of Schafberg on the Schafbergbahn cog railway. However we couldn’t even see the top of the mountain so decided to spend the morning walking round the lake, aiming for the little ferry that runs from near Attersee to the edge of St Wolfgang.
      The walk took us on paths along the edge of the forest, and through it at points, until we dropped down back to the lakeside. I had hope to ride the summer toboggan run which we had aimed for initially but it wasn’t open and sadly looked like it was closed for good (not just because it was Monday!).
      All sorts of wildlife - a herd of wild deer which ran off as we approached (see video - I just caught the end of them running away towards the left) and a family of frogs living in a puddle complete with loads of tadpoles. Also a donkey which sort of chased Richard but in the end it seemed as if it thought he was the owner with food and a herd of goats in the process of jumping over the fence to their enclosure.
      The ferry worked perfectly- you summon it by pressing a button - and then we had a bite to eat in in St Wolfgang. The webcam at the top of the Schafberg showed that the visibility was still very poor so it didn’t seem worth riding the railway - we will have to leave that for next time.
      On round the lake after lunch, back to Strobl along a fabulous path built out over the lake. Lots of benches with interesting info including one saying that the water quality in the lake is almost the best in Europe and is used as a standard of quality Europe wide. It’s actually drinking water quality and supports a huge range of fish and other creatures. I felt very privileged to have swum in it!
      It was still cold so we decided to have a cup of tea and then eat early at the pizza place to avoid having g to walk back in later. As we ate it began to rain and there was also some thunder - it turns out that Toby’s bag contains an eye mask that he was keen to wear on the way back to the hotel even tho that would have rendered him completely blind- he hates thunderstorms. We managed to dissuade him.      Читать далее

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    • Austria - Wolfgangsee/Strobl

      Gmunden and finally a paddlesteamer

      25 августа 2024 г., Австрия ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

      A day that promised to be very mixed weather wise. We decided to head for Gmunden on Traunsee where there is supposed to be a working paddle steamer.
      So lots of transport - bus to Bad Ischl then train to Gmunden Banhof and a tram to the centre and the lake.
      Initially the weather was still very warm - 25 degrees - and so when it rained a little our coats felt much too warm. We found the paddle steamer Gisela and eventually a ticket office but unfortunately they couldn’t/didn’t want to (unclear which) sell us tickets as rain was forecast for its 2pm departure time and the inside seats were all booked. We left it that we would come back just before 2 to see if the forecast had changed.
      In the meantime we wandered along the lakeside looking at the international ceramics fair that was taking place. Pottery from all over Europe and of every type, both decorative and functional, modern and traditional - even one person from Somerset.
      At about 1.45 we went back to the ticket office and managed to persuade the guy that we didn’t mind getting wet and that we really did want to ride on the paddle steamer and not on the modern boat that would have had inside seating. Quite frankly Toby wouldn’t have wanted to sit inside even if this had been possible and in the end there turned out to be a lot more mad people like us who were prepared to get wet if necessary.
      Once on board Toby was extremely happy - best moment of his holiday I think and so one of the best of mine too. Weather was fine to start with - not sunny but not raining either.
      However as the trip round the lake continued the sky became darker and then it did start raining quite a lot.
      No one seemed particularly bothered by this - the engine area was surrounded by paddle steamer geeks (including Toby and me) and small children and that bit of the boat was quite warm despite the weather! It was, despite the weather, a fabulous trip. The views across the lake were very dramatic and I’m sure as good as those on a sunny day in some ways - again wish I could paint.
      By the end of the trip it was getting quite cold (as had been forecast) with a drop in temperature of about 10 degrees from the morning.
      A bit cold and wet by now we took the tram back to the station and then had a long wait for the train to Bad Ischl. Luckily the bus connected reasonably swiftly so there was time for a bath to warm up before dinner.
      Another fab dinner at the hotel - the food really is extremely good but as a result I always seem to eat too much!      Читать далее

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    • Austria - Wolfgangsee/Strobl
      1

      Wolfgangsee - swimming!

      24 августа 2024 г., Австрия ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

      It was forecast to be, and turned out to be, very hot today.
      Originally we had decided to do the pilgrimage walk along the lake from Fürberg to St Wolfgang but it was really too warm so after dashing to get the bus into St Wolfgang to get to the pharmacy before it closed at 12 (this is Austria and pretty much everything closes from midday Saturday until Monday and I needed insect remedies!) we took the boat to St Gilgen and walked from there to the badplatz (swimming spot). After stopping for a drink and very good chips at the sailing club (only place with a free table in the shade but very good) we walked down to the lake and I swam. Richard and Toby not really keen but the water was clean and beautiful and 24 degrees so what’s not to like!
      Then walked round to Fürberg and took the boat to the stop opposite St. Wolfgang where we had spotted another badplatz. Another swim here surrounded by mountains and looking over towards St. Wolfgang before taking the boat back to Strobl. Even Toby paddled here.
      Then a hot walk back to the hotel to shower and change before walking back for dinner at the stroblerhof hotel. Dinner in the garden plagued by wasps to start with but then a lovely evening once they had stopped being a nuisance and gone to bed!
      Water melon salad and apricots pancakes for me - delicious.
      A lovely day tho felt a bit guilty that the fun was all mine as the others aren’t keen swimmers. But memorable for a swimmer.
      (Have the sound on for the videos - Austrian drinking songs in harmony - very lovely and quite different from a British drinking song I think!)      Читать далее

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    • Austria - Wolfgangsee/Strobl
      11

      Katrinberg cable car and hiking

      23 августа 2024 г., Австрия ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

      Richard’s birthday!
      Today we took the bus into Bad Ischl again with the aim of riding the cable car up nearby Katrinberg.
      When we arrived in Bad Ischl the Friday market was in full swing - selling everything from vegetables, fruit, cheeses and bread to local crafts. We had not planned for this but it was great fun and we slightly weighed ourselves down given the hiking to come with strawberries, apples and one or two other things (more soap included).
      Then walked up to the cable car and took the long ride up the mountain - takes about 20 minutes and goes pretty much straight up.
      The views, even from the cable car station, were spectacular. Much closer to the Dachstein and its glacier than when we were on the Postalm.
      Chose a round hiking route that turned out to be quite tough. Up steeply to the cross at the Katrinberg peak itself (where some people had come up on the via Ferrara - I’d love to do this!). Then on to the Elfenkogel - another cross but not too much more climbing.
      It was very hot - better than in the valley but still quite hard for climbing. Toby wasn’t highly amused by the experience but managed well with a bit of noise.
      The route down was meant to be a bit of a shortcut from the main route and turned out to be ‘for experienced hikers only’ tho not signposted as such at the top of the trail, only at the bottom! We did manage but it was quite tricky in parts.
      Our reward was to chill out in an idyllic spot with food, drinks and deckchairs. Pretty perfect and clear views to the Dachstein.
      After taking the cable car back down we wandered back to the bus - Richard bought an alpine hat and we ate ice cream.
      Dinner at the hotel sitting outside in the garden - another delicious meal and for about the first time I didn’t over order! Toby enjoyed his panko mushrooms and prawn pasta - he’s eating all sorts of of new things and seems to be enjoying it.      Читать далее

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    • Austria - Wolfgangsee/Strobl

      Postalm - hiking

      22 августа 2024 г., Австрия ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

      Today we took the Wander Bus up to the Postalm - a fabulous area of high pasture cross crossed with hiking trails and dotted with alpine huts serving food.
      We decided to walk Rund weg 2 - a 3 hour circular hike passing lots of hutte and giving views of the Dachstein mountain.
      The weather was perfect - warm but not too hot and the gradients were not too severe (very important to Toby who does not like going uphill!).
      First stop was a tiny but beautiful hutte slightly off the trail but well signposted. It seemed to be run by a family (many places are here) with three generations including very small children - and also a very friendly dog and guinea pigs.
      Then walked on, largely downhill through trees to a ski lift area. But then quite uphill, resulting in lots of groaning to a fab hutte where the food was all home made and delicious. In both huttes we were sitting outside on sunny terraces with extraordinary views. I do love it here!!
      Back at the start of the walk we took a short detour to a tiny church with again, the most fabulous views. Then took the wanderBus back to the hotel.
      Toby and I swam in the spa before dinner in town at the Strobler Hof Hotel - again delicious but very filling food including a watermelon, feta, radish and gem lettuce salad for me.
      After dinner there was a waterski show on the lake and ice cream for Toby and Richard.
      Strobl was very busy tonight - a lively atmosphere and looking great in the evening light.      Читать далее

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    • Austria - Wolfgangsee/Strobl

      Wolfgangsee

      21 августа 2024 г., Австрия ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

      With the promise of a day of mixed weather we set out to spend a day on the boats travelling around Wolfgangsee. It was actually much warmer than forecast and cloudy with some sun. We were lucky enough to walk straight onto a boat at Strobl so decided to take that one up to St Gilgen at the other end of the lake and work our way back from there.
      St Gilgen was remarkably quiet- turns out that they have a long lunch break, a bit like Spain, and that we had arrived at the start of it. So we decided to walk back towards Furberg and find somewhere for a drink on the way.
      We soon came across a lovely beach area - Brunnwind - where there was a cafe serving drinks and some good looking food. Having had a big breakfast we weren’t hugely hungry but had drinks and some french fries. Unfortunately, as usual, we were plagued by wasps despite covering our drinks Austrian style with our phones! And poor Toby was stung as he tried to wave one away. I had some antihistamine crème but he still ended up with a sore looking lump on his finger - think the crème helped a bit but I’ve only ever used it for mosquitos before so not sure how effective it was.
      We carried on walking around the lake to Fürberg. A very beautiful easy walk with turquoise water teeming with fish on our right. Again we were very lucky to arrive just as a boat was coming in.
      The family who we had seen on the boat from Strobl in full Sound of Music kit were still enjoying their lunch under the trees in Fürberg- lots of dirndl skirts and high buttoned jackets - sadly no lederhosen on this occasion but we have seen quite a few of these too.
      Having been very warm and sunny the weather changed quickly on the way back. A strong wind developed and there was a little rain. Dramatic dark skies contrasted with the turquoise water.
      Arrived back in Strobl around 4. We walked back to the hotel and I went to explore the pool and sauna. Made the hideous faux pas of going into the sauna with my swimming costume on but as no one else was there I got away with it!
      Fab dinner again at the hotel but now I’m exhausted and it’s all of 8.30! Hoping to sleep well.      Читать далее

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    • Austria - Wolfgangsee/Strobl
      1

      Bad Ischl

      20 августа 2024 г., Австрия ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

      Much better sleep thank goodness so felt more human today. And the sun came out so we could see the mountains!
      After a delicious breakfast - lots of local products including home made jam, yogurt and bread - we caught the bus into Bad Ischl. The town is set among the mountains and has a summer palace built by the Kaiser.
      We started with coffee and cakes sitting by the river and then went to explore the Kaiservilla. Having read about it, it seemed that the grounds would be the best part so just bought tickets for these. An added benefit, which we didn’t realise was included, were the large outdoor Ai Wei Wei installations - part of an exhibition. These installations were fabulous in themselves but also perfect in the setting of the grounds of the Kaiservilla
      A quick lunch - delicious carrot soup with a drizzle of hazelnut oil for me - necessitated by the large number of wasps around. They were a real nuisance today and because I was wearing wide legged trousers I was really anxious about getting stung!
      After travelling back on the bus, Richard and I sat in the garden and read our books while Toby had a rest. The hotel has a garden by a stream where I had a paddle. Haven’t tried the spa yet but hope to soon.
      Dinner in town where most places were having their rest day but found an outside table at a pizza place which was very good. The wasps had gone to sleep by then which was a relief.
      After eating we found an outdoor concert by the lake and sat there for a while listening and eating ice cream (banana - a rare treat!!).      Читать далее

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    • Austria - Wolfgangsee/Strobl

      Strobl and St Wolfgang

      19 августа 2024 г., Австрия ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

      After a bad nights sleep (snoring problem!!) I felt a bit rubbish but wanted to do stuff so had a couple of strong coffees and headed out to Strobl to find a boat.
      There are lots of boats on the Wolfgangsee including a paddle steamer - Toby’s favourite type of boat so a must for us. The one on Wolfgangsee is the Franz Joseph built in 1879 - so older than the ones we found on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland two years ago. Unfortunately we found out it wasn’t running today but hope to see it another day.
      We took a very smart ‘ordinary’ boat to St Wolfgang instead. This was a short trip of about 30 minutes after which we spent some time in the very pretty town which is at the base of a very expensive cog railway. Decided we would leave that for another day but it does look spectacular and might be worth doing on a clear day as it goes up over 2000metres. Today we would have seen very little up there as there was quite a bit of cloud.
      After wandering round St Wolfgang and stopping at a cafe we took the boat back to Strobl.
      Our hotel doesn’t do food on Mondays and Tuesdays so we booked a table for dinner in the town. People eat very early here and we had to book for 5.30 as the (slightly) later tables were taken. However as I was pretty exhausted and we didn’t really eat lunch this was fine today.
      The place we ate was extremely popular and we definitely wouldn’t have got a table if we hadn’t booked. Again the food was good but huge portions which defeated me.
      The walk back to the hotel was very welcome after a big meal - it takes about 25 minutes, perfect for a post prandial stroll!      Читать далее

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    • Austria - Wolfgangsee/Strobl

      Planes, trains and automobiles

      18 августа 2024 г., Австрия ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

      A long day of travelling by almost every form of transport (saved boats for the next day!).
      Early start leaving home at 5.30 but all went well with nothing delayed so arrived in Munich just after 11 (apparently plane had to avoid thunderstorms on the way.).
      The weather in Munich was wet but didn’t really affect us as we were undercover the whole time in the station.
      Found our train to Salzburg easily and although it was quite a long wait, the train left on time, to the surprise of our Austrian hosts, who have a deep mistrust of Deutsche bahn at the moment.
      So arrived in Salzburg around 3.45 and the taxi sent by the hotel was waiting. About 40 minutes later we arrived in Strobl at the Hotel Bergrose.
      Still over cast and slightly wet but Richard and I decided to walk into the town to stretch our legs and get our bearings. Toby didn’t come as he was very tired having got up super early and as always having been up till late the night before.
      We found the lake and the boat timetable as well as lots of little restaurants for the nights that the hotel is closed (Monday and Tuesday for rests! )
      Food at the hotel was lovely but the portions were huge. Need to share some things next time.      Читать далее

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    • Fiona BoultПутешественникCamino de nuevo

      In Santiago

      28 июня 2024 г., Испания ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

      I think we must be staying in one of the worst hotels in Santiago - fundamentally no air. But other than that I had a great day in Santiago.
      Cress and I went for breakfast at Ratiños Coffee shop - huge bowl of yoghurt with fruit and granola - then went out separate ways for the morning.
      I went back to the Pilgrim Office for the English mass at 10.30 and then to the cathedral for the mass at 12. Both wonderful a dm very moving. As always lovely English speaking volunteers at the English mass and interesting pilgrims from all over the world who had walked a variety of routes. At the Cathedral mass I was lucky enough to see the Botafumeiro swung - can be quite a rare occurrence but I was reasonably confident that Friday midday would be a good bet (see the video - and keep watching until it swings really high). Together with the music and the atmosphere with hundreds of pilgrims it was very moving. I happened to sit just behind the Japanese man I talked to in San Domingo which was great. I was sitting on a pillar base but happy with that!
      After the mass, for the first time I queued to ‘embrace the saint’. This involves going through a tiny entrance sort of under the alter where there is a very sacred space and then climbing up behind the alter to, basically, hug the statue of saint James. I’ve never actually done this before in my three visits so felt I should.
      Then lunch with Cress at a great veggie cafe A Porta Verde - delicious salad and falafel with kombucha to drink. There followed an afternoon of shopping (presents for the kids, Santiago cake etc and looking for clothes for cress to wear to a wedding in August) and then supper at Entra Pedras with David cress and Terri - last time before we all go out separate ways tomorrow. Bernie from Austria remained at the same bar all day - saw him each time we passed - but he did look very happy!      Читать далее

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