Austria to Germany

Tuesday 2nd March, 1982                     cold and wet

Kids and John up early and went for a walk near the lake, built a snowman and went for a ride up to the Kanzelbahn - cost 160 schillings.  Off after breakfast - car started well and we were off through Felton where the snow lay thick everywhere and light snow began.  As we drove on, the snow thickened so we were driving through a snow storm - temperature was very low.  It was -8° before we left Annenheim, on through the Perchaur pass at 980 m where John could hardly see, and then down through small villages sitting snugly in the pure white snow.  

Through Kappenburg and by Kendberg all the snow had ceased and it was a lovely clear day to continue down the Semmering Pass - a lovely view and diminished snow.  We joined up with the autobahn and travelled on towards Vienna where on the outskirts we ran into a storm - no snow only rain and wind - only to find the campsite isn't open till the 15th of March - the Ides-significant, so the big search for suitable area.  We went out to the Carrefour, shopped and decided to move.  Cold, flat battery so there we stayed.  Ate a lovely weisswurst and veggies then John tried the car and away it went, so off again.  So here we are outside the railway cum post office - hello Vienna.  The Ostbahnhof is a busy place day and night.

Vienna, Austria

Wednesday 3rd March, 1982                        sunny

Awoke after a reasonable sleep.  Didn't think we would sleep but nature took over.  Not too cold today, sunny and no snow.  John had his shower - 25 schillings, about a dollar 50 for a half hour.  He is going into town to pick up some money, so we had breakfast and cleaned the van and wait - toilets in railway station 4.5 schillings - greedy buggars. Austria is very dear and the people aren’t very friendly. I don’t think they need tourists - seem to be affluent race. Drove out to Carrefour again. 

John went off to town -  we shopped, walked - had a coffee for 15 schillings - the dearest yet - whilst Sean played the space ships. Sent parcels to Karen & Marie - 290 sch for 9.2 kgs

Back into railway - terrific hot showers.

Thursday 4^th March, 1982

Up early and off on Autobahn towards Ypps Linz- a sunny day until just past Salzburg it began to snow - snow lay deep in the Alps. Film 75 sch.

Called in at a little village for brot and meat and onto highway to find lay-by for lunch.  We bypassed Salzburg, past Chiemsee Sea lying frozen beside the highway.  On arrival at Munich we couldn't find a park. As usual around and around we went tempers flayed, the driver drove, the navigator sulked and then we found it - and wasn't it worth it - hot water, washing machine and dryer - Obermenzing camping area we love you.  Slept like a log.

Camping ground, Munich, Germany

 Friday 5th March, 1982             snowing on awakening

Up early for nature call, John just beat me out the door by three minutes - finished drying clothes, woke kids to see the large flakes falling - whilst we ate breakfast snow covered the ground - loved it but please stop now.  Into town on bus to Pasing then on the S. Bahn to the Haufbahnhof then to discover Munich - lovely Munich, with its clean streets and friendly people.  

Munich, Germany

We walked down Mariaenplatz - the Glockenspiel stands fine in middle of Rathaustrum.  We will be back to see the action of the clock at 11 a.m. tomorrow, hopefully.  Found the Hofbrau Haus.  Large beer hall - people with large 1L steins - music playing - band joking with people, happy atmosphere.  We had weisswurst and mustard - left after a while and headed for Deutsches Museum.  The kids enjoyed it - spent three hours wandering and looking.  Sandra and I retired early, had a coffee and put our feet up.  John stayed in town.  We found our way home, first one train to Laim then to Pasing and waited for bus to Obermenzing.  As we waited for train and bus the sun was out and it was snowing.  I think we were the only ones interested in the snow.  Home to tea and early to bed - good hot shower - all three girls for once get one.

GUESS who's here?  Titus and Charlotte!!!!         (Written by Rae)

We were glad to see them, but sorry for the reason they are here - they are on their way home so we won't see them after Sunday.  Titus is ill.

Saturday 6th March, 1982                        sunny and the snowing

Up and hung the washing out -1° this a.m. but the sun still shines - domestic morning, then off to visit Dachau concentration camp with Titus and Charlotte.  Shopped in Dachau, lunched then walked through - hope this never happens again.  

Dachau, Germany

I could imagine just a little of the despair and pain those people must have felt.  We were amazed at the amount of German people there - mainly young - let's hope they are determined to stop this dreadful episode ever recurring again.  One photo of a soldier in the liberation Army showed what so many must have felt - the emotion on his face was incredible.  Home rather chastened.  Sandra and John off to town - kids and I had our chicken dinner.  Snowing again.

Sunday 7th March, 1982                   sunny but 1°

Just like Wagga winter today, Rae and John into town.  Sandra and I walked up to the nearest church - they don't say "peace be to you" in Germany.  A poser I must ask father.  Sandra and John arrived home about 10 p.m. very cold.  We were just getting warm too.  Lazy day at home - Titus and Charlotte still here coming to tea tonight.

Monday 8th March, 1982                    sunny but cold

Up early, washing on line, out in the sun and ready to go into town with Titus and Charlotte.  In the car park we met an expatriate who has been in Munich for 10 years.  Recognized our voices - showed us the way to Promenade Platz to American Express, where Sandra and John received 2 Nambucca papers from Jan Burge - an unexpected surprise.

On then to Marianplatz to see the Glockenspiel at 11 a.m. - a re-enactment to music of these little men - it was lovely with the German music.  Glockenspiel chimes

Munich, Germany

Met a lot of Australians in the square - morning tea in a department store then shopped for jeans for Sean who has at last agreed to some decent clothes - his programme of diet and exercise has paid off and he has lost some weight.  Down to pick John up at - guess where -Hofbrau Haus - and off to lunch.  Rissoles and salad, beautiful.  Then off again to shop - I bought a nice pair of maroon slacks and Sean a pair of jeans eventually.  Sandra could have caused a melee by opening a packet with jeans in and pushing the packet under the rack - the shop assistant hung around dying to know what we were giggling about.  Cup of coffee - then caught the trolley tram and number 75 bus home to Obermenzing.  Charlotte and Titus fly out at 10 a.m. tomorrow.  We will be sad to see them go.

Tuesday 9th March, 1982                     sunny and fine but cold

Sad early morning farewell to Titus and Charlotte Scholl on way home to Florida.  They had to have their van in by 8 a.m. then taxi out to the airport to fly to London at 10 a.m.  We then were ready and on the road quite early to pass by Augsburg, Ulm, Stuttgart, and Karlsruhe over the Rhine and along past Lindau, Ludwigshafen to run alongside the Rhine on the top street.  We passed Worms and are now parked in a rest Plaza service station for the night.

John rang Joe Zeiss and he has some slides to show us.

Vienna, Austria to Worms, Germany

Return to Rome and onto Austria

Friday 26th February, 1982               wet

Sean and I are off into town to ring Tony and Karen.  Sandra is going to fight the elements at the camp with the washing - couldn't get on to Tony - rang Karen.  It was great to hear her voice - everyone is okay.  Tony has been on Mike Walsh show.  Back to Standa to meet Sandra and shop, then home.  We are on the road tomorrow so there are things to be done.

John, Sean and Sandra went up to the bar with Les and Robert the Aussies, for farewell to the staff.  I wrote up the Greece trip.  Rae slept. Steve has changed partners - Rinatti - out Corinna in. 

Saturday 27th February, 1982                  sunny and windy

Washing all blowing in the breeze - dried and in the van by 11:30 a.m. and on the road again to Florence tonight - then on to Venice.  Onto the Autostrata and straight driving - I think we are all glad to be moving.  Bye Roma.

Past Florence with roads covered in snow, hills white with snow.  On to Bologna where we had fun finding the camping area.  Eventually found the road, our garage man took us through in his car - we have found the Italians very helpful - no trouble at all - only to find it was "Chiuso" so up on the Autostrata and to first service station - people were nice.  They gave us hot water for kettle, toilets reasonable, warm water available in hand basin - slept well.  Two Italian vans beside us in a.m. 

Sunday 28th February, 1982

We had a flat tyre - lots of curses - it was very cold.  The boys in the service station were good and helped but to no avail, so pumped it up and on our way with a slow leak - gave John a cap to fit.

Through lots of tunnels and lots of snow the day before.  Road wasn't too bad a little snow lining the hills.  Into Venice and a guarded car park.  Lots of vans there - we lunched, left Sandra to sleep and took off in ferry to Piazza San Marco - it was a thrill to be in Venice chugging along on the ferry.

Mixed feelings on Venice - the canals were dirty.  You can see where the buildings have sunk -water laps the ground floors.  Lovely basilica of St Mark the evangelist in a lovely square with the Ducal Palace where the Doges ruled.

The beautiful church with its sunken floor levels, gold paintings, the clock tower with the two Moors striking the hour, the Campanile with a library and thousands of pigeons.

Venice, Italy

We walked back to Piazzele Roma en route to Rialto Bridge the first part of Venice to be settled and where the bridge crosses the canal at its narrowest point, tiny narrow streets lined with leaning buildings and not much activity for Sunday.  

John and Rae in Venice

Monday 1st March, 1982                sunny

All the security doors were down this a.m. Walking home after collecting mail they were hive of activity - all types of shops and stores - we strolled through market, brought some lunch and home to read mail from Karen, Eileen, Margaret Buss for me - Sean received three, Rae one and Sandra and John a few from Marie, Jan and Pat and Mary.  We had left John home but talk about a cat on a hot tin roof; he had paid and had the car facing the starting line.  We met Jenny and Ian again at the ferry - wondered what had happened to them since Estapona.  No need to worry again they have been to Greece, Israel, Egypt and Yugoslavia. They survived two robberies and a near rape.

Snow on the side of road at sea level - on the road again to Udine.  Tyre fixed - have found Italians really kind and helpful.  After Udine we came upon lots of recently fallen snow -at a lay-by we all hopped out and had a snow fight. 

Decided to continue to Tarvisio then on through the border town Villach.

The campsite is still closed, so found a park outside the kanzelbahn right opposite the railway station - was very cold - 1 1/2 snow lay everywhere.  Kids went mad.

Sky clear, stars out so we were surprised to have rain during the night - ice lay on the ground after light snowfall.  We were beside the Ossiache Sea - a frozen lake and a ski resort in winter and a Sea resort in summer.  Annenheim sparkled with lights like a Christmas card.

Rome to Austria