357. A load of bull

MONDSEE, NEAR SALZBURG, AUSTRIA

Biking into Mondsee was today's plan now that Matthew finally has a tube for his bike the lack of which was the result of our combined efforts over the past couple of days. 

Maisey in the buggy, Edward on tieback of Matthew's bike 

Stopped to look at these incredibly friendly rabbets which,
we discovered, love red clover. 

Clare, Jacqueline and Matthew waiting for the rabbit admirers 

On seeing us, this cat crossed a small field and joined the rabbits  

Had a look in this loafing barn where there were still cattle
inside even though it is summer. Does make for park like farms,
mown and without fences

In the evening this four engined radial plane flew overhead.
The departing shot is because it took us a bit to get Fyfes camera.
I thought it might be a DC6 so Googled DC6 Austria and discovered that it
is a Red Bull plane, their HQ being just down the road.

Evening performance by a couple of the campers.

First time I have heard the Swiss horn.

356. Lessons

MONDSEE, NEAR SALZBURG, AUSTRIA

Started the day with the lovely exchange above with Isabel Maddren, daughter of ancient* friends Charles and Juliet who, by chance, is here in Mondsee also. Will hopefully see her and friends in the next couple of days.

First day without rain which was very welcome as the camp is very damp and we are keep to get outside, that being the whole point of this adventure. 

Fiddled around and put up a sunshade so that our precious children don't melt in the sun, went for a swim and sanded and painted the patch on Teasels rump.

After lunch am onshore  breeze sprang up, about four or five knots, perfect nursery breeze to get Matthew, all six feet plus of him sailing as he had been foolish enough to express an interest. Stepped the mast in the forward step, a feature of all Mirror Dinghies so that you can sail them without the jib and still have a balanced helm. Went for a quick check sail and Teasel sailed beautifully. Returning to Mathew we stood beside the boat demonstrating how to sheet the main tight (not too tight, the tip of the boom over the back corner should do it) and how to sail with the main almost backing then loaded him in, and pushed him off. As he sailed off into the distance I realised that I still had the oars and that I did not mention how to sail downwind as it is pretty obvious. Through the camera lens after about an hour I could see him across the lake, pointing down wind still close hauled. Never mind, the sun was out and I was feeling sleepy so I lay down for a snooze. Disappointingly, Matthew made it back unscathed denying me a tale for my blog, most unsporting of him.

Clare, Maisey and Edward while the captain is at sea

Audrey

Something for the blog?

Dam, nope

*same age as me!

355. My Favourite Things

MONDSEE, NEAR SALZBURG, AUSTRIA

A year in life

Thank you Ed for the message congratulating us on our year on the road. Seems remarkable that this milestone has passed. Travelling in the Giantavan with the family is now our normal so it doesn't seem like a particular achievement, it just feels like living our live. That said, I am very grateful for this unique opportunity and am very aware that once we return all this will seem like a dream. I am glad that I have kept this blog as I have already forgotten more than I remember.

Sound of Music

Clare was keen to do The Sound of Music Tour from Salzburg and the film is a firm favourite with our family so some of us were keen also. Matthew offered to stay with our boys and Edward. Clare, Jacqueline, the girls and I did the afternoon tour and enjoyed the lovely cross country drive into Salzburg for the two o'clock tour in the afternoon. The bus left before two and we were off with an entertaining guide telling us lots of interesting details along the way, as they do. Most of the stops were outside Salzburg and I will use my snaps to illustrate the journey.

The lake where the house was staged, a set was built in
the trees to the left of the palace.

The house front used

The lane leading to the house

The bus then travelled to Mondsee where we are camping, reversing our drive to the tour this morning. Had seen lots of tour busses in Mondsee and hadn't realised that the wedding in the film had used the church here. The guide encouraged everyone to have a crisp apple strudel, of course.

The tour group invading

A beautiful church, well worth the visit

It was then back to Salzburg to the Marble Gardens.

The VT kids ran around this

And danced around this guy,

Bus side

Iris, Jacqueline, Clare and Audrey

354. A Win

MONDSEE, NEAR SALZBURG, AUSTRIA

Matthew and I headed into Mondsee to get a new battery for the Disco, groceries and a tube for his bike tyre at about nine thirty. Found a local garage that had a Varta eight hundred and fifty cranking Amp battery for a hundred and seventy euro, crikey! On removing the battery we discovered a loose terminal so the profiteer put a meter on the old battery and it is fine. Phew, that was a big win indeed. 

Next we trailed off in search of a glow plug circuit fuse for Matthew's motor home which was a fail followed by a combined grocery shop. All this took to after midday, couldn't believe it. Returned without the bike tube as it slipped our combined minds - no awkward silences you see.

In the afternoon we were off to Passau, listening to HP5 to collect the Cuckoo Clock which was, as always here, a lovely drive across the lovely park like groomed farms that they do so well here, avoiding the motorways. The clock was ready and the purchase was made then we spent a while searching for Iris' birthday leather bag that she had set her heart on but the shop was out of stock and unable to courier another to our site. It amazes me sometimes how unobliging the retail sector is.

Returned to a meal prepped by Matthew and Clare which was greatly appreciated.

353. Oxidation

MONDSEE, NEAR SALZBURG, AUSTRIA

Bloody rain, I see a theme developing - particularly when I look at the weather app. Need to get out and do something.

Museum will do the trick so made up some lunch and drove half an hour to Willkommen im Museum  Fahrzeug - Technik - Luftfahrt. The entry of twenty six euro felt steep but the shed was dry. Basically it was masses of stuff all with the common theme of being old though most of it younger than me which gave me pause to thought. Most of the military stuff was eastern German gear, post second nineteen fifty, lots of military tractor units and stuff that couldn't serve a useful life once decommissioned. Outside there was a range of dilapidated aircraft and railway some with trees growing through it, all of it desperately trying to revert back to its base material, little of it labelled. Made me appreciate how fantastic the Ashburton Aviation Museum is, initiated by a group of five including my Dad, and I am proud to be a life member.

Experimental delta wing something...
... would make a good bonfire

Military trucks

Mig?

Mig 21 Mk1

Iris

Pressure & diesel shunters

Trencher and missile carrier

Nice Jodel and experimental helicopter, Saab jet in background

Lovely drive home

352. Driving round the bend

MONDSEE, NEAR SALZBURG, AUSTRIA

Raining much, cabin fever. Three lakes drive worked wonders, nuff said. 

Attersee

Evening of videos, kids delighted, luckily the wifi is good here. Three different videos running simultaneously in the Giantavan, Roman and Edward on a bunk bed watching Storks, the older three children watching Thor on our double bed and the adults watching a chickflick Down with Love in the lounge. Not a bad night to end what had been a pretty fraught day earlier on.