Some ideas and inspirations

Inspire Me Europe

“The body is just transportation for the soul”

Quote Source - Graffiti in a subway - Bratislava - Slovene

France - Switzerland - Austria

Switzerland

Apart from the crazy prices, (especially Geneva) for anyone who is not Norwegian, Swiss or a millionaire, what is there not to love about Switzerland?

Our most recent trip was to the beautifully named Château-d'Œx, home to David Niven (well his burial place now) of the book The Moon’s a Balloon. And indeed Château-d'Œx has a plethora of balloons which glide gracefully down the valley past the rouge Mont, and when the sun starts to set it is easy to how they get their name.

One of the things we really loved about this area was the little cheese fridges which you find alongside country walks. You just open up the fridge - pay your money into an honesty box and write down what you have taken. It is so “old fashioned” refreshing and comforting all at the same time to know this world still exists.

it is an area with a long and interesting history going as far back as the Paleolithic (or old Stone Age) period of 9500 BC, when the surrounding caves were used as seasonal hunting lodges.

We tried some e-biking, courtesy of some generous ex-pats* who took us out for a day up the mountains. whilst we love mountain biking the mountains around Château-d'Œx are pretty steep, the bikes made light work of it. You can decide how much, or how little input you want from the motor, but it really takes the pressure off the knees, something you. might appreciate as you get older. E-biking our new found sport - we loved it!

*They also invited us to a an evening drinks party, and Sunday lunch - you can’t get much more hospitable than that. Interesting people often say to us what is is it like traveling on your own? The reality is that you are rarely on your own - there are people everywhere - you just have to talk to them! This is what traveling is really about the people connection. And as some further advice always trust your gut instinct - if it doesn’t feel right - take a rain check.

We love Switzerland - more please. We still haven’t made to the Matterhorn or the Glacier Express so these are on our list.

France - Le Mans

One of our favourite road trips was from the UK to Villeneuve-de-Duras which is in Lot-et-Garonne in Southern France. Itself worth a trip, with a beautiful chateau, market and some lovey wine. The Sauvignon blanc in the traditional style, crisp with hints of mown grass and lychees - one of the best. Unfortunately a style that seems to have gone out of fashion, for overblown fruity versions of the same varietal.

We travelled down from England to the South of France in beautiful copper coloured MGF VVC - with a lovey cream interior, and with our luggage strapped to a boot rack, it was a lovely looking car, well at least the French appreciated it, with hoots and waves along the way and numerous people stopping to ask what it was.

On route we stopped off at Le Mans which hosts one of the worlds most iconic races - The Le Mans 24 Hours race. which is held on the Circuit de la Sarthe, or Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans as it is also known. The city itself is famous not just for the racetrack, but also its Gallo-Roman walls, and old town, and the 14th century Cathédrale Saint-Julien du Mans, with much earlier foundations dating back to the 6th century.

The race is noisy - brash and not very PC, but the 24 hrs Le Mans is more than just a race, it is an institution. Enjoy it whilst you can, before it all goes electric.

Austria

Austria is a great place for skiing, particularly if the snows a bit patchy or you are late in the season, and you can pretty much ski all year round up on the glacier at Kaprun.

Kitzsteinhorn or Kaprun is high altitude 3029M and boasts 365 days a year skiing and it’s a great place to go to if your resort has no snow. It can get a bit slush puppy in the afternoons though, but it is better than no skiing.

Zell Am See, is a great place to stay down by the lake, and is at an altitude of 750m. There is a long vertical drop, over 1200m back down from the lifts giving some wonderfully long runs. We have fond memories of being first up in the morning on fresh powder and skiing back down to Deep Purple ‘Highway Star”* amongst others, sweeping S turns and stunning beauty. It’s funny what sticks in your mind.

*This is a bad tune to ski to as it encourages you to take risks - fun though; but only ever risk yourself. We are disgusted with drunk skiers who risk not only themselves but young adults and children who are on the slopes as well. We have seen some horrendous accidents with drunks (mainly men) colliding with kids. (Fortunately more shook up that hurt).

Austria has a great night life as well and we have some fond memories of Apres Ski in Villa Crazy Daises which turned into equally crazy drink / dance sessions - https://www.crazy-daisy.at if you are over that way.

We have also had some great survival weekend ends between here and Italy, hand digging and living in snow caves and shovel ups - skills which one which had to use to real when we ran into a white-out on the Mer de Glace, in France, and after 48 hours, and one crevasse rescue we had to climb the knife edged arête up Aiguille du Midi to take sanctuary in the deserted telegraph. But that is an adventure for another day.

Vienna is a great place to visit as well and it is another city where there is so much to see and do. Our top top is to stay in Slovakia in Bratislava and a great place to stay if your budget runs to it https://www.hotelmarrols.sk. It is a short walk to pick up the fast and it is very fast https://twincityliner.com/en/content/vienna-bratislava less than €36 and you are in the heart of Vienna. 2 cities a boat trip - and both fabulous locations. What more do you want?

What can you find in the Museum from this location.

France

  • 1980’s Plastic Snow Boots and Crampons from our Mer de Glace, Aiguille du Midi adventures.

  • Survival Club Memorabilia - patches / certificates (Ray Mears was once a member?) Survival club Magazines and period article on the Mer de Glace /Aiguille du Midi climb.

  • French provincial pottery from the 19th century and a cermic collender c 1880’s.

  • Black & White photographs of the crevasse rescue.

  • Vintage French wine bottles from famous vineyards.

  • French Francs.

Switzerland

  • Cows - various - classic modern

  • Cheese - but we ate it all.

  • Some lovely photo’s of cows in head dresses and massive bells, they looked stunning and they knew it.

  • Swiss Francs Notes and Coins

Austria

  • Vintage Climbing Axe c 1920’/ 30’s, Wooden and steel. Classic hiking axe.

  • Austrian Schilling Bank Notes and Coins