A Summer in Austria

There’s a nip in the air! The pavements are scattered with yellow oak leaves, the apples in the orchard are red and almost ripe, and the farmers at the market have brought in crate loads of pumpkins. And I have managed to catch a cold.

These are the tell-tale signs that the seasons are turning. We are saying goodbye to summer and welcoming Fall in these parts. I do this with a certain heavy heart. This summer was pure bliss. Comparing it to the Summer of 2007, where I was rather down and depressed, 2008 has been really pleasurable. We went on picnics, had barbecues, enjoyed a cold beer after work with friends at one of the beer gardens, and then there was Austria

Our vacation in Austria, early July, was exceptional. Although I’ve been to this gorgeous little country tucked away in the breathtaking Alps, this time I experienced it with other eyes. This time it was Thomas who planned and guided us through the vacation.

It was an action vacation to say the least. Not much lazing around as we were on the road hiking, trekking and sightseeing everyday. We had rented a quaint little apartment in a wonderful farmhouse, with the most hospitable family we have ever come across. From the minute we got out of our car, after the long 7 hour drive, and Grandma Schafvetter greeted me with a huge hug, I knew we were going to be happy here for the next 10 days.

 

 

And we were. Soeren was in paradise. Everyday he eagerly looked forward to getting back home in the evening so he could help Farmer Schafvetter milk his cows and getting up early to help Farmer wife Schafvetter to pick fresh eggs for breakfast. Breakfast was simply delicious. There was nothing extravagant about it but the fact it was fresh milk, eggs, butter, muesli, honey and homemade jams made everything taste so good.

After that we normally started our day heading to our targeted spot for the day. A trek through an amazing ravine – cool and crisp with spectacular waterfalls, or a 2 hour hike up to 1800 m for one of the most incredible views of the Alps, or an out of this world walk through a 42 km limestone ice cave, or a thrilling adventure in a knight’s castle, or even a city tour of beautiful Salzburg – we did it all!

 

Hope you enjoy a few of the sights we experienced.

I still have so many summer recipes to share with you and hope I get to do so before Fall arrives. Although I am a summer girl, this fall I plan to enjoy it to the max. Because who knows – life takes exciting turns and this just might be my last Fall in Germany!

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