Friday 13 March

Today was a trip to Salzburg. We went by coach and the journey to Salzburg was unremarkable being along the Autobahn through Germany. The weather was foul for most of the journey but cleared up just before we got to Salzburg. We stopped briefly at the services on the Germany/Austria border going back into Austria. It was quite a contrast from when I went through this same crossing 25 years ago. All the customs posts had gone and you could simply drive straight through.

We had a guided walk round Salzburg organised. We were a little unsure of this but it turned out very well. The guide was very knowledgeable and did not have a set patter but responded to the group. She took us round the interesting parts of the city and gave us some insights into the city's history and also exploded one or two myths, especially about Mozart and the Trapp family (as in Sound of Music)

We had lunch in one of the little cafes and had a quick look round some of old city after lunch but did not go too far as we had a deadline to get back to the coach.

The trip home went the scenic route which was very attractive though the weather had deteriorated again. The scenery was still very impressive.

Overall a good day, though we would have liked a little more time to explore the old city.

In the evening the Hotel had organised a Tyrolean evening with traditional dancing. It was very interesting with many of the dances representing aspects of Tyrolean life - farming, rural crafts and interestingly silver mining which was an important industry in the past. The music was provided by an excellent accordionist. The instrument was a four row button accordion and the left had seemed to be basses only with chords being made with the right hand. It was certainly different from the piano accordion or melodeon which are common in the UK.