At my hotel in Dorfgastein I had a fun bedside lamp. One can turn on and off the light just by touching anywhere at the metal. Any ideas how this works?
Tag: Austria
Tunnel for bikers and walkers only
On a hiking tour near Klammstein, I come across an interesting place. Below Klammstein Castle (Burg Klammstein) there is a tunnel for bikers and walkers only. The structure is part of a cycle route along the Gastein Valley (Gasteinertal).
Klammstein Castle near Dorfgastein
I often pass Klammstein Castle (Burg Klammstein) on my train journeys through the Gastein Valley (Gasteinertal). In earlier times, this fortification blocked the valley in the north.
Mushroom dish in Klammstein
One reason to visit the restaurant of Hotel Klammstein was the ‘Pfandlwoche’. In this period the restaurant offered especially dishes served in pans (‘Pfandl’). I had a pan with mushrooms and dumplings. The owner of the restaurant told me the mushrooms were collected in the woods around the hotel.
Nettle soup in Klammstein
At the restaurant of Hotel Klammstein, I tried nettle soup as a starter. It was a great alternative to all these noodle soups you often get in rural areas. The hotel owner told me that she collects the stinging nettle at certain places around the hotel.
Conference hotel SPES in Schlierbach
The conference hotel SPES (Seminarhotel SPES) stands on a plateau overlooking the Upper Kremstal Valley (Oberes Kremstal). It is near the centre of Schlierbach but also next to a forest. It offers rooms in a modern building, opened in 2009, and in an eco-holiday resort at the foot of the plateau.
Landmatura in Schlierbach
At the farmhouse of Mr. Weingartner in Schlierbach, I took a lesson in cutting hay with a traditional scythe. Interested people can also take a class learning about some facts regarding agriculture. Though this is mainly an offer just for fun the lessons are pretty informative.
Shropshire sheep in Schlierbach
In Schlierbach, I met the Shropshire sheep the first time. These sheep are known for loving grass but not nibbling at trees. So they are ideal for keeping grass short in fruit farms and Christmas tree plantations. Best lawnmower ever.
Free running piglets in Schlierbach
In Schlierbach I had the chance to speak with the founder of SPES who is also a local organic farmer. While visiting his farm next to my hotel I came across these free running piglets. Well, the operative word is running! As you can see it was pretty difficult to get my camera ready on time.
Waiting room at railway station Selzthal
In the small Styrian municipality Selzthal the structures of the railway station dating back to 1872 are still existing. So one can spend the time of waiting in this lovely decorated room.
Bear at a window in Vienna
For several weeks this bear made me smile while passing the city railway station Gumpendorfer Strasse in Vienna. I wonder who had the splendid idea to put him into the window.
Faked steam locomotive in Vienna
At the railway station Wien Praterstern in Vienna I came across this modern locomotive which was painted like a steam locomotive.