The colors of the rainbow, So pretty in the sky Are also on the faces Of people going by, I see friends shaking hands …

Ok, final post for this trip. Quiet day in Crail, yesterday. Met up with Fiona and Alex in Anstruther, at the Ox and Anchor (or as we prefer, the Frog and Cheetah, for all the Brokenwood fans). A quick wander round Anstruther, then back to Crail for coffee.

Finished preparing for early departure this morning.

Off up the road at 8.15 this morning. Quick visit to the kids to drop off John-Robert’s birthday present, then back on the road.

Fairly full charge at Perth, while Moya hit M&S. Did my good deed, by showing a fellow EVer how to start his first “wild” charge. He’d only ever charged at home where you just plug in and off it goes. Thankfully, everything worked and he was quickly charging.

On up to Inverness for a top up to get us home. Another cry for help from a tourist with a hire car, wondering how to stop the charge in order to get on his way. Again, successful instruction!

Moya has an idea for my Christmas present … a hi-viz jacket with “happy to help” written on the back! 🤣😇

Sitting now, waiting for boat home. Should be home around 9pm.

3015 miles in total over 20 day trip.

Take the last train to Clarksville, I’ll be waiting at the station. We’ll have time for coffee flavored kisses, And a bit of conversation …

Bit choppy on the boat last night, but with the help of a couple of Nelson’s Travella anti seasick pills, we managed a three course meal (which was very good) then bed!

Into Newcastle this morning, and the inevitable wait to get off the boat. Passport control, very pleasant, chatty person, asking how our holiday was, while checking passports. Thumbs up, we are through. Now into the Custom’s Shed. Waved straight through. Damn, we could have brought twice as much wine! 🤣

Onto the road North. The weather was what we expect in UK. Chucking it down!

First stop was Ionity chargers at Alnwick. Busy, but as we were turning to park up, one came free. Straight on, but only pulling 85kW instead of 150kW we expect. After 15 minutes a couple of other people finish charging. Our charge rate instantly goes up to 140kW, so obviously this charge hub, with six charge points, is constrained by how much power can be delivered to the hub. We continue charging at around 135kW and soon have enough range to get to Crail.

Our friend Susie (yes we have another friend!), had recommended the Barter Books shop in Alnwick. Firstly, it is in an old railway station building, secondly it has lots of books, thirdly, it has a very good cafe/restaurant, but mainly (hee, hee, excited) it has an overhead model railway layout, hence today’s header picture and song lyric.

Back on the road, the rain eventually stopped, but the traffic jams started. As usual, around Edinburgh was very slow, but soon, over the Firth of Forth, things smoothed out and it was plain sailing into Crail. Quick stop at the “chippy”, then down to Sauchope, to our Lodge.

Refreshed by too much wine, catch up on Masterchef, then bed.

What a fantastic holiday. I LOVE THIS CAR. Driving electric is so relaxing, smooth and effortless. All you petrolheads out there, give it a try, you won’t want to go back to Infernal Combustion Engine. It feels so primitive, after driving electric!

It’s a long way down the holiday road, holiday road …

Another early start to try and beat the traffic / roadworks. Unfortunately the trucks had the same idea.

However, the traffic wasn’t too dense and the roadworks few and far between.

Then we reached Netherlands with it’s 100km/h speed limit. Basically, imagine a five lane car park moving at 60mph! You got it!

340km today, so a quick charge with coffee and cake about halfway, then arrived at Ijmuiden at 12.30. Perfect.

On the boat now just waiting to finish loading. Dinner at 6.30pm.

Tomorrow we’ll be back in Blighty and head north to Crail.

this picture reminded me of a joke – a blond sets off from Edinburgh heading for Glasgow. Her husband hears a report of someone driving the wrong way on the M8, so phones her to warn her, at which point she replies “one person driving the wrong way? There’s hundreds of them!” Drops mike. Gets his coat! (Can you hear my wife “tutting”) 🤣😇🥰

Life in the fast lane …

581 km today, spent mainly in the fast lane, either at 30km/h in a string of solid traffic, through roadworks, or two minutes later, at 130km/h with hardly another vehicle in sight! Weird!

Not much else to say, really. Left Hotel Hubertushof at 8.30am and arrived at Schloss Burgbrohl at 16.30.

That’s all!

Tomorrow is only 342km, so we’ll get an early start and try to make good time, roadworks permitting!

What do you see, you people, gazing at me …

What did we see? Thousands of people gazing at selfies!

Yep, the hordes were out at Neuschwanstein, all taking picture of themselves against a backdrop of the castle, preening and posing! I expect a few were “influencers”, posing for the gullible “influencees” (is that actually a word?) Walking backwards, bumping into people. One even tripped backwards over a bench and landed fair and square on her bum! Ouch! She grinned and moved on quickly, but I’m sure it must have hurt. 🤣

Moya had pre-booked an “English” tour (English language, not nationality) 😆 So we set off in plenty of time, so were able to walk to the Marienbrücke, the bridge above the castle, then down to a kiosk for a “coffee”, before heading into the entrance courtyard. An automated QR code turnstile allows entry to the Schloss, but we had time to get a few pictures in the courtyard before our tour time. (Pictures are not allowed inside, possibly so they can make a little more money by selling you the guidebook!!) (Oh cynical old me)

when in Rome …

Having climbed up numerous spiral stairs, coffees and cakes were required.

Then, having taken the bus up from the village to the Schloss, we decided to get some exercise, by walking down!

Back to the Hotel to write the blog and get packed. Start for home tomorrow, up to Schloss Burgbrohl tomorrow, to Ijmuiden to the Ferry on Thursday and up to Crail on Friday. Final leg home on Sunday.

ain’t it good to know, you got a friend …

Yes, we have another friend!

Today we were driving from Vienna back to Lermoos, stopping off for lunch, with our friend Nora, in Linz. An early start from the hotel in Vienna. Wanted to be on the road by 8.30, made it at 8.15!

Vienna is very busy at that time, but more going into the city than coming out. First stop was for a quick top up charge, enough to get us to Linz and then on to another Ionity charger just west of Linz. All went well, and, apart from a few roadworks delays, we made good time and arrived in Linz just on 11 o’clock. Nora had given us the location of an underground car park in the town centre, and as we came out of the car park, onto the street, I saw Nora waiting in the Square.

Hugs over, we headed along the street to a restaurant with large garden area at the back. The weather was great, so we sat out for Lunch. The centre of Linz is traffic free, with only Trams and bicycles allowed (apart from early morning deliveries)

We wanted to be back on the road around 1pm, so after a very nice Lunch, we crossed the street to an Ice Cream Shop, and sat eating it at a street table.

All to soon, it came time for us to head onwards. See you in January, Nora.

Back on the road, the temperature rose steadily, peaking around 28°C. Too hot for us Northern types! 😂 We were so grateful for the Aircon, especially charging (just over into Germany) we were able to set the Aircon to stay on while we went for a coffee, and returned to a beautifully cool car.

More roadworks and more roadworks! We eventually arrived at Hotel Hubertushof at 6.45pm. Checked in and straight for a meal, with a bottle of Schilcher as reward for another long day’s drive. (575km / 360 miles)

Off to bed now, to write this blog post. Tomorrow we are visiting Schloss Neuschwanstein, made famous in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

You’ve got a friend in me …

Sunday! One week to go.

We discovered a few days ago, that our friends, Barbara and David, were arriving in Vienna yesterday, so, through the wonders of modern communications, we arranged to meet up around 10.30, at the Hundertwasser museum/gallery cafe. Hugs, coffee and news updates over, we headed into the museum/gallery. An amazing array of works in different media.

this painting was titled “bald man with a beard”

After a while, the gallery began to get busy, so we headed out. Last night, Damir had recommended the Schweizerhaus in Prater, and, since we were only 20 odd minutes away, decided that would be a suitable venue for lunch.

Our head navigator steered us ever closer, until, there it was! But it was really busy too. However they managed to fit us in, and a very nice young waiter came to take our order. We basically asked him what he’d recommend and went with that. Beer and Pork knuckle duly delivered with a selection of salad “sides”.

The crackling on the Pork was amazing, as was everything else, however, after a brave attempt, we had to admit defeat and ask for a “doggy bag” for Barbara and David to take back to their self catering apartment.

Round then to show B&D Damir’s roller coaster, and ended up going round on it. Damir then presented us with VIP tickets for the miniature steam train next door. Quick glass of Sturm while waiting for the train.

Then bade farewell to Damir, Ludo, Christian, and Maggie, and then farewell to Barbara and David and back to the Hotel to pack. Early start tomorrow. Drive to Linz to meet our friend Nora, for lunch, then on to Lermoos for the next two nights.

Life is a rollercoaster …

Morning spent sightseeing/shopping around Vienna, an aborted attempt to get into Cafe Central, (A long queue and no patience) so we wandered round to Cafe Demel. Good coffee, good cakes and a very old building with chandeliers.

a shop full of rubber ducks!

After an Ice Cream in Schwedenplatz, we headed round to Prater Park where we were to meet Damir and Danja once again. After a whirl on the new Wheel, we headed to Hochschaubahn where Damir, Ludo, Christian and Maggy work. It is a very old “roller coaster” set in mountain scenery depicting the Grossglockner mountain and the village of Heiligenblut. Oh and lots of gnomes! After 3 or 4 tours on the ride, and a look “backstage” to see how it all works, Danja, Damir, Moya and I headed to the Zwölf Apostelkeller Restaurant, a very old Kellar dating from around 1339. Food and wine ordered, we were serenaded by a Violin player and Accordionist, who asked each table where they came from, and without hesitation, played a couple of tunes from their country. Fantastic!

from there we returned to Taborstrasse (where our Hotel is) and went up to the rooftop terrace to the bar/restaurant in the large glass building beside the Donau Canal.

incredible 360° views.

headed back to our Hotel around midnight!!

this was for two people.

Sitzt man verträumt in Wien beim Wein, (translates as “Sitting dreamily in Vienna with a glass of wine,”

Friday, and we are heading for Vienna. Moya has a love for all things Hundertwasser., so first stop on the drive today, is to Bad Blumau, where there is a Spa resort (Rogner Bad Blumau). More crazy Architecture, and a nice wander through some trees. Coffee in a cafe, then back on the road.

All went well until the outskirts of Vienna, where traffic ground to a halt! Slow, stop start for 8 km it said on satnav. Missed a junction at one point, which took us off the motorway onto streets, equally chock-a-block, but eventually we arrived at our hotel. Checked in and met up with Ski friends, Damir and Danja. I had told Damir of a long held desire to visit a Vienna Heurige, a stall or restaurant on a Vienna vineyard, where you can sit and drink their own wine, and some serve freshly made, traditional food. So, a short but fast taxi ride later, we started to climb a steep, narrow roadway, on which we would find numerous Heurige. First stop was to try the Sturm, basically the first pressing of the wine, still sweet and slightly cloudy, slightly alcoholic, traditionally only served for a short while after the start of the grape harvest.
Onwards, then, to another Heurige with a fabulous view over Vienna. Unfortunately it was not open. Danja explained that, when it rains in Vienna (as it had in the morning) everyone in Vienna takes their car, instead of possibly getting wet on public transport. (This explained the mass of traffic as we arrived). But also means that sometimes a Heurige will just decide not to open!

A stop at another serving only wines, before heading back down into the streets and into a little alley with a Heurige at the end. Serving wine by the jug, and food from the buffet style display. We opted for mainly meat with some potatoes. Graciously leaving the salad options for others! Oh boy! Yumm!

From there we hopped on a tram, then underground and a short walk back to our Hotel, “goodnight” to Danja and Damir, then bed, exhausted.

In the sunshine of your love …

After a day of rain yesterday, and forecast of showers today, it has been wall to wall sunshine and 26°C. Too hot for us northern types!
Moya had found another “palace” nearby, Schloss Eggenberg. A mere 20 minute drive. She had pre-booked a tour of the special exhibition, for 11am, so we got there in plenty of time, parked, worked out the parking ticket on the machine 😀 and went into the Schloss grounds. The Pavilion Cafe beckoned, so after coffee we ventured into the Schloss. I will confess now, that these places really annoy me, the opulence and “hard life” that these lords, ladies, princes, princesses, emperors had to endure compared to the poor peasants and beggars outside in the countryside! Harrumph!
Anyway, my intense aversion aside, the building is incredible (condidering it was, basically, one families home). Room after room of gilded overload. Such hardship to endure!
Soon we ventured out into the gardens, if only to escape the doddering old people and screaming school class 🤣. Trees! Considering how much I love trees and woodlands, you’d wonder why we moved to Orkney 43 years ago! I am working on that. 😃
So now sitting here with a large beer, in the shade, with a slight breeze, it is quite pleasant. Car fully charged on the hotel car charger, ready to drive up to Vienna tomorrow.

please note, it is made of wood and painted gold. It is not solid gold!

humble little dining room.

Walt Disney must have visited for inspiration for Beauty and the Beast.

meanwhile, the peasants are hard at it! 🤣🤣