Week 2

We had a mixed bag of weather this week. Sunday was drizzly, Monday it was SNOWING!! but it came good toward the end of the week, and as I type this it is scorching and cloudless.

The weather dictated the walk choices. On Sunday we walked down the Zemmgrund valley to Finkenberg before boarding the Cable car up to the Penken for a walk along the Panoramaweg, before the spectacular ride down on the Penkenbahn. All very popular with the guests.

On Monday snow was forecast down to 1500m, so we decided to modify an easier walk for the harder walkers, which meant adding a couple of kilometers at each end. We walked in the snow to the Karlalm, and enjoyed a lovely welcome at the hut and hot (coffee) and cold (beer) drinks.

I have to admit that the young guy at the hut was rather handsome, which was the topic of conversation among the ladies for pretty much the rest of the day.

On Tuesday all the guests opted for the harder walk, probably mindful of the fact that they could have a day off on Wednesday. We all walked up to the Berlinner Hutte. The hut guardian recognised me from last week and gave me free soup. Result!

On Thursday I took the easier walk along the river and into the Finkenberg gorge. We had Goulaschsuppe (trend emerging?) before walking back to Mayrhofen along the Leohnhard Stock weg. I googled him back at the hotel afterwards and found that he won gold at the Lake Placid winter Olympics in downhill skiing. He lives in Finkenberg.

On Friday I took the harder walk up the Tux valley. We walked up underneath the Eggalmbahn cable car which is not yet open, before climbing the Grublspitze. We retraced our path back to the top station and found a nice route back down to Lanersbach. Unfortunately, the bakery had sold out of the apfeltorte which went down so well last week, so we settled for Strudel and a beer.

Saw the guests off on the coach at 11 am, so I'm just relaxing before the new lot arrive. Full to capacity this week, so I'm expecting a much busier week.

Here's a few random shots from this week.

Sun at last!!

Had a terrific day on the Berliner Hohenweg, the high level route which circles the area. Took a very steep 2 hr walk out of the valley, to traverse the ridge before dropping down. after promising my guests we'd be down in time for a beer we arrived just on time, however the Gasthaus was gerschlossen. Doh.

We saw three snakes today, two of which were adders. The bigger adder was a foot from my hand before I saw it. Lucky. Heres a couple of pictures.

The Sound of Music

Took three guests out today. Took a txi bus up the Ziller valley to Brandberg and walked a circuit before following the river down the gorge back to Mayrhofen. Fantastic weather today, wall to wall sunshine and the clear alpine air, views streching for miles. Nice. German coming along nicely, although I know several completely useless phrases alongside the useful stuff.

Here's a couple of pictures.

Touchdown!

Arrived at a rather cold and grey Munich airport at 2pm, and opened my luggage straight off the carousel to get out a warm layer.

Bought a ticket to Jenbach, but bad news - three train changes. Finally got to Jenbach at 6pm and jumped straight on the Zillertalbahn, a narrow gauge railway which arrives at Mayrhofen at the end of the line.

After finding the hotel and settling in, I had a nice meal and beer at a local hostelry. Hope the food matches this standard for the rest of my stay.

Today I managed to do all the checks I need to do. Visited the local transport company to introduce myself, and changed over all the paperwork at the hotel to this seasons.

Tomorrow I plan to goout for a walk to check out one of the routes we;ll be using with guests.
Hopefully a picture or two tomorrow.

Last weekend!

As this was my last weekend before leaving, I rounded up some friends, family and a little field mouse for a barbecue. The weather gods looked upon us favourably and the sun shone.

I cooked a paella, which proved popular, and we had shoulder of venison, courtesy of our big game hunter Christo.

Thanks to everyone who came.

On the downside, UK airspace was on partial shutdown. Weathermen are confident it will be clear by Weds, fingers crossed.

2 weeks to go !

In 2 weeks I will be in Mayrhofen, Austria. On Saturday the 22nd, I commence work for a holiday company, leading groups of walkers in the mountains of the Zillertal valley.

I have a couple of days to get oriented in the town, and make some checks at the hotel, before the first group of guests arrive on the 22nd. I'm really looking forward to meeting all the guests over the summer, and enjoying many days out in the regions beautiful landscape.

Over the summer I will be updating regularly with news and photographs.