Christmas in Austria: Salzburg

Scott and I had a rather busy month of December and before we knew it we were packing for our week long holiday in Austria. We decided to begin the week in Salzburg and then, mid-week, take the train to Vienna. We arrived in Salzburg on the Saturday before Christmas hoping to find lots of Christmas festivities, mountains, and snow. Well, we definitely found Christmas and mountains! Snow, on the other hand, could only be found in left over, now grey, mounds stacked up in parking lots and off in the distance on the high mountains. Austria was in the midst of one of the warmest December week's on record which meant we were treated to rain and drizzle over snow. No worries though, being UK residents we definitely know how to handle rain and drizzle!

We stayed at the Hotel Goldener Hirsch which is on one of the most famous streets in Austria, the Getreidegasse. Most of the buildings along this street, including Mozart's birthplace, were built in the 16th century. Closed to most motor vehicles, this now mainly pedestrian street is lined with shops of all kinds, restaurants and bars, and a few hotels, like ours. Overhead, the street is lined with shop signs dating from the Middle Ages. We learned that the signs usually contained some sort of picture painted on them depicting whatever goods were sold inside the shops as most people were not able to read. The original signs remain, but redecorated to depict the current business. Even the McDonald's had a large metalwork sign with a tiny "golden arches" worked into it! From our hotel, almost everything we wanted to do or see was within easy walking distance, which was great! There was a huge Christkindlemarkt which stretched throughout many of the sidestreets and squares adjoining Getreidegasse. Scott and I enjoyed walking through the market taking in the sights, enjoying the music, and sampling some of the treats. We did visit the Salzburg fortress, perched high on a hill above the city, and several churches. Salzburg is a city of music and we attended a dinner and classical concert at the Mirabell Palace as well.
We visited two of the most famous churches in Salzburg: The Salzburg Cathedral, and St. Peter's Abbey Church. Salzburg Cathedral dates from the 17th century and it is here that Mozart was baptised.

Inside the Salzburg Cathedral

We also spent some time in St. Peter's Abbey Church and actually returned here for the 11:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve. For two Presbyterians attending a Catholic Christmas Eve service spoken entirely in German was definitely a different experience! We emerged from the service at about 12:30 a.m. to the sound of church bells pealing all around us, however, which was just fantastic! 

St. Peter's Abbey Church grounds include a graveyard and catacombs. We did wander through the graveyard, in daylight of course! The catacombs were not accessible on the day we were there. 

High up on a hillside overlooking Salzburg stands the Hohensalzburg Castle, or "Salzburg Fortress" as it's more commonly known. Construction was begun on this castle in 1077 and it is, today, one of the largest medieval castles in Europe. 

Within the Fortress walls

The view of the Alps from the Fortress.

Looking out over Salzburg from the Fortress.

Of course, in usual fashion, Scott took lots and lots of photographs in Salzburg. I seized the opportunity to try out my Christmas gift from Scott as well: a Canon PowerShot which fits neatly into my pocketbook and requires no more effort than pushing the button to turn it on and adjusting the telephoto before taking a picture. Here are some of our favourite photos from our time in Salzburg!

We took a horse drawn carriage ride through the city of Salzburg. This is one of the horses. He is "smiling" because he just tried to eat me! Scott asked me to pose beside him for a photo and the next thing I knew I felt something gnawing at my wrist. I looked down to see horse lips closed around the sleeve of my jacket! Ewwww!

The Salzach River runs through Salzburg. This is the "old town" of Salzburg including  the church steeples of the Salzburg Cathedral and St. Peter's Abbey Church, as well as the Salzburg Fortress.

We did visit a Marionette Museum whilst at the Fortress and, like many others, took advantage of these displays for some silly photo ops.
Tomorrow is Christmas Day and we are off too Ramsau in the Alps for a horse drawn sleigh ride!

Winter's Arrival

Castelrigg Stone Circle - Whilst this field lies at some elevation,
the snow has not quite reached it yet.

Winter has arrived in the Fells so Scott and I had to venture out for some photos. Our flat faces the Whitehaven Harbour with the Irish Sea beyond and we are not able to see the fells from our home. I am always surprised, then, when I drive over a hill or round a bend and come face to face with these beautiful mountains. Capped in snow they are quite spectacular!

Out and About in the Lake District

Scott has always enjoyed taking photos and this past June we bought a new camera and lenses. He has had a fun time trying out his new camera whilst enjoying the beauty of the Lake District. On a Saturday we often drive to one of the lakes and do some hiking around. Occasionally we even expand our walks vertically and try going up the fells, although I will admit Scott is much more enthusiastic about that sort of walk than I! The last few weekends of autumn were quiet for us so we ventured out, Scott armed with his camera, and these photos are a few that he captured. Hope you enjoy them!

Dan and Jamie Visit!

First Stop: Castlerigg Stone Circle - You might recall this stone
circle is in the middle of sheep fields surrounded by the fells.

Just after we returned home from our cruise we were treated to a visit from Dan and Jamie! They spent a few days checking out the London sights, then boarded the train for the trip north. Scott and I picked them up at the train station and immediately set off showing them some of our favourite spots in Cumbria. They stayed with us for a few days and then we sent them off on a trip to the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness. At the end of the week Scott and I joined them for a fun weekend in Edinburgh where we visited Edinburgh Castle, the Palace at Holyrood, and even squeezed in a ghost tour which, of course, Dan and Scott termed "lame"! On Sunday Scott and Dan set off for a museum whilst Jamie and I managed to get in a little retail therapy. Jamie and Dan were treated to very little wet weather, a real novelty here in the UK. Here are some photos from their visit.

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Next Stop: Derwentwater - We are still on our way home from 
the train station mind!

I showed off my UK driving skills (which are, at times, still quite debatable!) and took Jamie and Dan to Muncaster Castle, and Wastwater and Buttermere, two of our favourite lakes. One of the days I took them to Ravenglass where we boarded "The Ratty", the small gauge steam train that chugs along into the fells. We disembarked at Dalegarth Station, the end of the line, and hiked two miles through the fields and forests to Stanley Ghyll Force, a beautiful 60 foot high waterfall. 

Dan and Jamie on "The Ratty". 

This was taken along the pathway leading to the falls.

The falls at last! 

A couple of photos from Edinburgh...

We had a wonderful time with them and too soon they left to return home to America. We are looking forward to a return visit from them, and more visitors in the coming year!