Austria

In Vienna. All is well, but again, limited access. More anon!

Salzburg Part 1

Just a day trip today. Actually just another one tomorrow, but a few extra hours there. Today I decided to see the new town and tomorrow the old. It also meant I could book up a host of rail tickets, and annoy the nice people at Austria's ticket office.

I didn't really get into the Salzburg spirit. It was kind of nice, but not exactly. And apparently they really don't want anything to do with the Sound of Music, except for the tourist dollars (and no, I did not ask: that was an unsolicited clarification)



Another day, another palace... I really am beginning to lose track of which Archbishop did what to whom in the Ballroom.


Very respectable fortress on the hill behind Salzburg - apparently it was never taken, and considering the place was ruled as a catholic fiefdom for over 1000 years I guess it must be true.


A Roman villa style castle was okay. But the gardens were excellent.


Here you go, fountain fans. Just to show that some of these water spouters are just plain rubbish.


This one's pretty good, though

Art

I have been terribly lax. (In so many ways over the years.)
There's you all thinking I'm some kind of fountain-obsessed weirdo, when I am not obsessed with fountains at all. Can't argue with the last bit, mind you.
Anyway, I showed my sensitive side, albeit with some weirdo thrown in for good measure. I finally saw a Hieronymous Bosch work. Yes, there were Rubens galore at the Altes Pinothek, and more Van Dyks, Tintorettos, Breughels and El Grecos than at which one could shake a stick, but nonetheless the Bosch stood out. Probably because I am a weirdo.

There's not really much point in describing it. Suffice to say it was worth returning to the museum and reclimbing the 50 (or so) steps to see it just one more time before I left. He was one messed-up fellow. Analyse away, amateur Sigmunds.

Today I did nothing. And exhausting it was too. I am trying to sort out a timetable that gets me to the cities I want to visit, but doesn't leave me abandoned on a railway station in eastern Europe crying for board. The trouble is, the more I organise, the less room there is for flexibility. Well, like, duh. Nonetheless, several of these things will require booking, so book them I must. I'd tell you now, but then you'd deride my plans and I'd have second thoughts. Besides, I'll probably change everything tomorrow. Suffice to say, I will be going to Austria. From there, probably a bit east, then north, then south-west... You know, dear reader, that if you said you'd be in x then I would meet you there, but you have made no such commitment and so to my own devices I am left.

Landshut

Just before I retire for the night, I was at Landshut yesterday. It had some classic Bavarian architecture and some astonishing painted buildings.






Nice place, eh?

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

As intimated earlier, I was happy to see the snow. During this fantasy weather, I was fortunate enough to have two generous, knowledgeable and kind guides. They might be reading this, but I'll be no more nice than I would normally have been, obviously.
Bad Tolz is scenic town in the Bavarian style. A style I do indeed like.

Snow in Mittenwald. A pretty little town famous for making musical instruments, especially violins.

This is the fabulous and ludicrous Linderhof, home of the (presumably insane, but certainly obsessed with Louis XIV) King Ludwig II of Bavaria. It strikes me very much as the German equivalent of the Brighton Pavilion. Inside was tribute after tribute to the long gone court of the Bourbons.



Fairytale stuff, non?

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I have explored (some of) Munich and Landshut since my last missive and will be getting all the relevant info up and online today - watch this space (if you are really bored).

I've been told that I am a peculiar tourist, what with the season and all, but it has been fabulous. The weather has suited me well, but I am aware of the horrors to come. Last 2 days were grey, cold and wet, but still good. Hoping for more snow and/or sunshine. And more countries after some R&R

Munich is a handsome town. Capital of Bavaria and has a lot of surprises for the ignorant tourist, such as your correspondent. I thought that all Germany had basically turned Protestant back in the day but no. A very catholic town it is. With very fine food and beer (although Tingo would probably have died of starvation with the local definition of 'vegetarian' seeming to be 'eats less meat'.
A fountain in the old botanic garden (I like fountains, okay? So don't get all psychological about this)


I don't even know what building this one is, but I was impressed.


This is the new town hall on Marienplatz. I like the fact that the town call, with councillors inside, is called a Rathaus. Seems appropriate.

As you can see, I have once more been moderately luck with the weather. I say moderately, because snow doesn't suit everyone and it is definitely getting colder. The two pictures below were taken today, so you can see the grey.
This one shows a building that is I think under redevelopment (part of the Residenz - I like how the German spelling could pass as Old School as in Tupac). Either that or they got a bit carried awa with the trompe l'oeil. I'm learning new phrases all the time, eh?

Snow

Yes, I really got that wrong, kind of. In Munich it didn't settle, but in Bad Tölz, Mittenwaldand a host of other places it settled delightfully (I wasn't driving). Looked like a fantasy Christmas everywhere. I'll post proof when I can.

Wunderbar

Last night: In the Hofbrauhaus drinking fine beer with the traditional oompah band blowing away in the background, it is (for me at least) impossible to dislike Bavaria. Fun, friendly people in a very relaxed and happy place. And then that was followed by a dinner of goose the size of, well, a goose.

It is now snowing. It is so great. Wish you were here? It isn't heavy snow, and unlikely to settle (too wet), but it looks wonderful.

I have a few days in Bavaria. That might turn into a few more. I am undecided. However, I'd like to see some of Switzerland and I've been heavily directed to go to Rome. Could be worse. I'll be in France for mid-November, never fear.

There has been criticism leveled at your earnest correspondent for using too many in-jokes. Well listen up, Divine Miss Em, that's the way it is. I'm not doing it deliberately, but I am trying to keep it relevant to my loyal readers and thus putting in little notes for them. So there :-P. But seriously, I hadn't really been aware of it, so I can't really stop. Sorry.

Got the Forest result sent to me by text and was disappointed with a 0-0. England then proceeded to lose the rugby and it was actually on the telly here, much to my surprise. I didn't really get disappointed or excited by that, although I know that Big Bad Bob won't be disappointed while Vix will be. I now discover Wellington lost the NPC and a defensive blunder handed victory to the Central Coast Mariners against the Phoenix. Oh well. It's nice to be here.

I'm off with some locals to explore some local things (not 'precious things' and not League of Gentlemen style 'locals' thank you). Assuming the weather isn't too bad.

You may also be interested to learn that just as the weather turns, I had a haircut on Thursday in Berlin. "What could possibly be interesting about that?" I can almost hear you exclaim in disgust. Well, it was the day after Russia beat England in the stupid football and, as I discovered, it was a Russian barber. I think he may have enjoyed himself. Especially pretending to not speak English. Fortunately I have a hat (from Vierumaki in Finland, thanks Baggieboy).

Again, no private PC access, so no piccies for a day or two, unless I get, ahem, creative.