You only see what you know (Goethe)
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.
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.
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.
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.
On my way to Schlierbach Abbey, I came across the abandoned railway station of Schlierbach. Austrian railway stations dating back to the monarchy are very typical. One can recognise them even after 100 years.
Photo of Schlierbach Abbey taken during a train ride from Graz to Linz. In July 2009, I saw an informative exhibition about the history and culture of meals. As the monastery is famous for its cheese, I also visited the cheese dairy there.