Last night I had delightful company for the evening – three women from Hungary – Bernadette, her mother Edit, and her godmother Ildikó. I had arrived early at the Gathaus and was sitting in the restaurant area, writing my blog, and taking refreshment, before having dinner, when I met them. Bernadette had been working for a few hours in Innsbruck and brought Edit and Ildikó along for a ride and for company, and they had driven to the same Gasthaus as me in the hope that the next day they could dawdle home exploring the Tirol on the way. As it turned out they changed their plans due to the rain that restarted overnight – there were no views.
Over breakfast Bernadette offered to drive me a few kilometres seeing that it was raining, but I decided that I would like to walk, and I always had a bus option if things got too difficult. She tried to help me by booking a room, but no one wanted to answer their phone so that was unsuccessful on the one hand, but it meant that in the time taken to do that the rain had stopped. Thank you Bernadette. I still wore my raincoat, but soon took it off. The sun tried hard to shine for most of the day that I was walking and the valley and mountains looked really pretty with mist and cloud and, at times, patches of blue sky.
I stopped for a coffee and cake at a delightful cafe at Matrei am Brenner. The waitress there tried to help me with suggestions on where I could stay further up the road. Thankfully she rang the hotel she had suggested and found out that it was quite expensive. That saved me a trip out of the way to get there, and instead I found a room in the centre of the town.
I have been following the River Sill today. I find the power of a young river fascinating. At times it is almost deafening as it rushes over the boulders on the floor of the river bed, and it is quite hypnotic, and distracting, to look at. I would think an epileptic would have to be careful looking at it as it flashes over the rocks, white waves rising as it hurtles against itself.
Today I am in Steinach am Brenner, and have about 12 kilometres to reach the Brenner Pass tomorrow. I decided that I didn’t want to walk in the rain – I want to be able to see the mountains I walking through. It rained twice today – one when I was in the Cafe, and then an hour or so later, just as I reached an underpass to shelter in. It also rained while I was having dinner, but I was able to get back to my room without getting wet. The rain has really only been a nuisance factor today, and hopefully tomorrow morning will be fine.
The Gasthaus (left), and Ildikó, Bernadette, & Edit (right)
The little Chapel opposite the Gasthaus.
As I was leaving I met a Jakobsweg pilgrim walking to Innsbruck
Along the way there were many little things that I observed and tickled my fancy!
a Roman Stone....
......chains - presumably ready for the snow!
....the milk ready to be, I presume, to be collected
......and the stones sticking out from the building. Again my presumption is that if a car gets too close (fairly easy to do) they hit the stone and not the building proper!
Matrei am Brenner (above & below)
I have been following the River Sill today. I find the power of a young river fascinating. At times it is almost deafening as it rushes over the boulders on the floor of the river bed, and it is quite hypnotic, and distracting, to look at. I would think an epileptic would have to be careful looking at it as it flashes over the rocks, white waves rising as it hurtles against itself.
The turbulent River Sill at Mühlbachl,
and on the way to Steinach am Brenner
Looking back donw the valley (above), and to where I am headed (below)
Pfons
Having just arrived in Europe we are reminded once again that everything is a very different green over here, super lush. Your pictures further highlight it. Loving the shared adventure. 😀👍
ReplyDeleteAt least you will have cool air high up in the mountains. I am now at about 200 metres and so the nights are getting warmer!
ReplyDelete