360. The cattle yards

Salzburg Aerodrome, Hanger 7

Now that the weather is up to scratch swimming in the lake and sitting about yarning is the default, particularly now Matthew and Clare are with us. After seeing RedBull aircraft in the air overhead and discovering that the RedBull hanger is in Salzburg, a visit was in order. The Flying Bulls are probably one of the most impressive collections in the world with the aircraft maintained, for the large part in better than original condition. Hanger 7 consists of two hangers, one for maintenance and storage and the other for storage, display and entertaining with a range of very elaborate bars and resuraunts. Entry was free, the hostesses dressed like nineteen seventies air hostesses and the entry and parking free. As it was the end of the day, the hanger being open till ten, we had the run of the place as tour busses and tourists are long gone. The advantage of travelling with children is that one in no way feels tempted by the fine dining and bars. What is absolutely staggering is that all of the aircraft are airworthy and regularly flown. Hope to see some at the air races next weekend.

Carpark behind the maintenance hanger

The main entrance

The cars were impressive but mere trinkets compared to the aircraft 

B25 Mitchell

Chance Vought F4-U Corsair

One of two Cubs, regularly flown by Dietrich Mateschitz

Huge range of F1

X2010 F1 Prototype

Extra 300L aerobatic  

Fairchild PT-19, WWII trainer

Looking across at the other hanger with the DC6 centre,
P-38 Lightning right, Stearman left

Cubs are cool but I like uncle Richard's Auster better (side by side seating)

This is what was flying over us a couple of days ago,
the fully aerobatic B0105

The radical engined Sycamore with Australian Ash wings,
Britain's first helicopter.

The media helicopter featured a NZ made camera system developed
in part by our new Head Engineer Mike, in his previous role at
Shotover 

337, they make a cool sound with their
props turning different directions 

One of four Alpha Jets, I'm sure we will see these next weekend

As the sun set the amazing theatre lighting gradually turned on in the hanger. Didn't spend a cent, left with a beautiful magazine.

Thank you Red Bull, you are an inspiration

359. HBtI

MONDSEE, NEAR SALZBURG, AUSTRIA

Big day, Iris turned fifteen. Got up crack of dawn early for me (now I am a loafer) and headed for the supermarket, amazingly Isabel and Dave pulling in behind me from the house they were staying in, up the drive. If I had been twenty seconds earlier or later we wouldn't have met. Stopped for a quick goodbye hug and we were off, them to Salzburg Aerodrome and me on the much more vital quest, provisions for Iris' fifteenth birthday celebrations.

As requested, siblings made Iris breakfast in bed

Audrey's riddle and wrapping paper

Audrey's present

Matthew pondering the riddle 

Present time

Grandma's present with bookmark! 

New top

Never to old for Playmobil 

Settling in for a serious session of Playmobil 

Iris and the children couldn't believe their luck when we suggested that we all eat at the camp restaurant for Iris' birthday dinner. Apparently we haven't eaten out since Portugal last year (except pancakes with Grandma but that doesn't count apparently as Grandma paid). 

Coke!

Coooookkkkkkkkeeeeeee 😁

Matthew

Maisey and Audrey
Audrey got that pizza inside herself then had to lie down for a bit

Matthew, Edward & Clare with the birthday girl

Great excitement later in the day, after our swim watching
the skyhook lift a person off the climbing cliff.
A local told us that three died on this face this year alone.

358. Visitors

MONDSEE, NEAR SALZBURG, AUSTRIA

Isabel, daughter of good mates, Charles and Juliet, turned out not just to be staying here in Mondsee, with boyfriend's family, but on our side of the lake and even more remarkable on the same lane that leads to the camp site about three hundred metres away.

Isabel and Dave arrived tenish and were immediately swamped by the children and....

... soon roped in to playing Audrey's excellent game,
Isabel winning which was a good result...

.... followed by being smothered by Playmobil which they
were very good sports about.

Matthew, Clare and family joined us for Apple Strudel

It was a lovely visit, thank you Dave and Isabel.

In the afternoon, Clare and Jacqueline disappeared off to an Outlet Mall with Maisey (1), Matthew caught up on his business accounts and I looked after Edward and our kids.