Onwards and upwards again after lovely Vienna. We said our goodbyes to Paul and Trudi and drove a fairly short distance for us on this trip to the Wachau area of the Danube. It was a very entertaining drive along the Austrian version of the Romantische Strasse - a lot of it along the side of the Danube and with rolling hills in the distance. It is also along the Old Pilgrimage route - no donkeys for us though, only horse power provided by VW.
The campsite of choice thihs time was at a town called Marbach an der Donau (on the Danube - or Marbach on sea). The site was actually beside the river with only a hedge between us and it - see pic. The river flowed fast and we could sit outside the van (yes the weather continued to be very hot) and watch barges, cruise ships and motor boats sail past. The site also provided moorings and electric hook up for boats so it is big business along this river.
The town spread itself along the riverside and had the usual small shops, except for one huge home furnishing store - it looked really out of place.
This stopover was a chance for a rest and a catch up again after our busy sightseeing days in Vienna and Prague. We took the opportunity to do ordinary things for a change like the laundry, washing the car and tidying the caravan - as well as some good eating and drinking of course. The weather has been extremely humid so we have taken to sleeping in the van with the windows open and after we put the lights out we raise the blinds to encourage a through draught. We just have to remember not to get up without drawing the blinds again or we will have given a free show!!
A couple of interesting facts of Austria for you - they do not sell baked beans - anywhere!! The shop assistants didn't even know what we were talking about! A young man waiting to be served told us that they don't eat them in Austria!! He commented that they have good beer though - Steve agreed of course and he should know as he has tasted enough of it! Another thing they do not sell is fruit squash to dilute with water. They nly have bottles of juice - its amazing what you find out when you shop. The quality of meat is very high in Austria though - hardly any fat and tasty. The cream cakes are to die for as well - and full of fat and very tasty.
We met a couple from the Netherlands who had been travelling in their van for 12 weeks and had got as far as Izmir in Turkey. They only stopped then because the couple they were with had some bad news from home and decided to return quickly. Another couple from Denmark had been to Croatia for their 10 weeks holiday and were on their way back when they stopped off at this campsite. It seems that there are many middle aged adventurers out there exchanging tales over the washing and ironing.
We did manage to do some sightseeing - two lovely places. Up a narrow, steep and curving road ( a mini mountain) we drove to Maria Tarfel Basilica. Perched on the top of this was a spectacular church with gold everywhere - one destination of pilgrims and a major tourist attraction that we were not awae of until we got there. We visited at about 3pm and had the place to ourselves - the coach trips having disappeared for the day. Views from the top along the Danube and across the wooded valleys and hills were breath taking - see pic. Then we went on to Melk Abbey - the largest monastery in Austria. This Baroque masterpiece is also perched on a hill and is immense, towering over the town in two toned yellow stone. The corridor inside is 190 metres long - see pic. The library was something else but we couldn't take a photo in there and the marble hall was sumptuous. The church was splendid yet again - but we are geting used to such extravagant gilding and artefacts - and immense organs!!
Just got to paint you a picture of a sight that had us rolling with laughter - there we were outside the caravan when a powerboat approached from right to left. The Danube is extremely wide making the barges look small so this powerboat looked very small. It was batting along at a speed but behind it was being pulled a man waterskiing. He looked frozen in time and fear and was wearing a red crash helmet with a yellow waterproof jacket and trousers like Trumpton might wear. He looked just like a lego man. Then 10 minutes later they appeared travelling from left to right. The lego man was in exactly the same position - I think when the powerboat had stopped he would have stayed in that position. We have visions of a Mr Bean character who bent down to pick up a stick and then got caught in the pull of a powerboat!
Well those two days have come and gone and we have moved on a long way today to a place called Reit im Winkl in Germany on the Austrian border. It is really Sound of Music country and surprisingly touristy. More when we have something to tell you about it.
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