Joys of European Caravanning

On the way there you pass a couple of small Sees Firstly the Alfritzer See and secondly the Feld See.

We parked the car in the car park of the Seesrestraunt Messner and had a coffee before walking down to the See to the Boat.

The Cost of our 2 1/2 hour tip was €12.90 each.  Food and drink waitress service on board.

Leaving Ossiach we drove around Villach and up to Bad Bleiberg a Spa Town but not very pretty then on to Windische Hohe passing through lovely villages.

After lunch started our drive home 33 miles here cannot give return mileage as encountered a diversion. The next place we passed was this lovely Schloss Kreuzen with the tiny church at top of the hill of Hupertus Kapelle notice the stations of the cross leading from the road up to it.

I will add history and info of this Schloss when I find a website in English.

 We invited the Dutch couple opposite to join us on a trip to one of my favourite places Magdelanesberg which is a Hotel/Restaurantnamed the Gipfel House and a lovely Church. It stands 1,059 mts high with wonderful views all round of Carinthia (Kärnten). The food is excellent and a very reasonable price.

When we arrived today at noon there was loads of folks up there plus guests waiting for the Bride and Groom to arrive at the front of a cavalcade of cars all sounding their horns, a normal wedding ritual over here. OH went into ask if they had a table for 4 for lunch and they said just one, we were so lucky. It is a family run Hotel and the guy on the right side of piccy below was our waiter. Large family and all but the children work there. Grandma is a character and still serves drinks and collects the bills.
Two photo's below from their website http://www.hotel-magdelanesberg.at

This morning OH went down to the tap to fill the Aquaroll as he was coming away from the tap he dropped the handle.  From the nearby Caravan two little boys came running out and wanted to help pull it up to the Caravan which they did.  Here they are with their Dad at journeys end.

Well a lovely last day at this site. We went out after breakfast for fuel and to the Bank for some Euro's. Lovely morning and view along the lake as we drove to Bodensdorf on the other side of the See.
In the foreground is the new Nature Reserve and new extension to the See which is our view from the Caravan

Well back home now and decent wifi so here is the homeward part of the trip.

The day after we arrived back at Vierthaler we decided to make our 3rd visit to Berchtesgaden this holiday.  It is one of our favourite places in Europe.

Little did we know what it would be like when we arrived in town.  Folk everywhere in national dress lining the streets.  We went straight to the underground car park but alas Red light car park full.  We waited a bit but it was apparent no body was going to leave till celebrations for 500 years of the Salt Mine.  

We decided to park on the exit road just before entrance to the procession route and minutes later There was loud gunfire then Fire Engine and police vehicles heading a Brass Band following were people marching from different Salt Mines in the area with 20 Brass Bands in between every two or three marchers and floats.  German and Austrian Brass Bands are my great love so was in my element.  The procession went on for over Two hours as after getting to a venue they turned around and made their way back passing each other at one time.  So 40 lots of Music     

Coming out of Berchtesgaden we passed the  Sehl Bahn station that you can ride up to the Carpark or the Documentation Centre (Museum of life in the Obersalzburg in the War, to catch the bus up to The Eagles Nest.

Arrived UK after 35 minute journey and off up the M20 when  a lorry driver signaled something was wrong and yes puncture in back off side wheel on the Caravan. Oh dear so much traffic cannot hear to phone AA so had to sit in car. Luckily there was a small piece of road off the Hard shoulder to be able to sit on a chair to wait for AA 20 minutes later the AA man arrived after we were able to drive the car onto the small roadway allowing more room for the mechanic to change the wheel for us.

Next day we went off to visit Bernkastel our second visit this holiday. Wonderful old town beautifully clean and old building in pristine condition. We had lunch in Cafe Hansen the conditorie on the main square near the fountain. Amazing every town centre in Germany seems to have a Fountain.

Next stop Camping Grimbergen situated off the Brussels Ring for I night. Very nice campsite very friendly and helpful owner. Not ACSI but well worth €22 for a restfull night en route to Calais just 139 miles from Oberweis and just 127 miles to La Bien Assise at Guines in France.

The site was quite full of Motor Homes which was most surprising as near the entrance to the Campsite road was an Aire which was empty  

Arrived UK after 35 minute journey and off up the M20 when  a lorry driver signalled something was wrong and yes puncture in back off side wheel on the Caravan. Oh dear so much traffic cannot hear to phone AA so had to sit in car. Luckily there was a small piece of road off the Hard shoulder to be able to sit on a chair to wait for AA 20 minutes later the AA man arrived after we were able to drive the car onto the small roadway allowing more room for the mechanic to change the wheel for us.

After that incident arrived home 12.30 pm after 8 weeks and 3,406 miles. A lovely trip but marred by John's back pain and being unable to walk far. But that is signs of getting old