30.9.2009 von admin.

… was experienced when stopping close to Faaker See for some lunch on the way back from Villach.

The marathon getting a new flooring for the kitchen is continuing and our stop at the third of Villachs hardware stores gave some results, even though I still believe that a university degree is necessary to make sure you get the right stuff. The poor guy at the service desk grew grey hairs during the short period of time we harassed him and he was rather pale at the point of our departure. I think we have decided, or at least kind of decided what we want. Generally women decide, re-decide and then make a final decision and we do follow out gut feeling, which includes the important things as; color, feel and smell. That’s the general shopping behaviour of a woman no matter if we are buying cars, shoes or tools for the shed.

A great thanks to the guys caring for the beauty around the village. They have done a great job again!

So long  - read me Monday

/S

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29.9.2009 von admin.

… after a rather sleepless night and an early awakening, the day turned out better then expected. The sleeplessness came from the worry about the dog having surgery today, and the early awakening from God knows what…

My dear dog was rather upset and annoyed with his “mum”, as he didn’t get any sweets, nor food this morning, as he had to show up at the clinic with an empty stomach. However, the vet called, and due to a C-section of a local cow(!) the surgery was postponed.

We took a nice walk this afternoon up to the Forstsee. The colors of the trees are turning quickly now, but still a few people were there for a swim. Following the mountain-bike trail, along the lake side, the dog took a swim then we passed the fisher-community’s hut and followed the  path  along a small stream until we came out at the main trail again.

With some beautiful pictures, the lungs full of fresh air,  my dog and I strolled back to the car, making sure I wasn’t late making his dinner.

So long - stay safe

/S

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28.9.2009 von admin.

… especially if you are opening the 3rd construction site this summer, however to be precise; it is the 1st construction site this autumn, as the new fence and the run-down sign were no.1 and no 2. during the summer months and all finalized.

This autumn we are planning to rip out the tiled stove in the kitchen and replacing it with a fireplace which actually keeps the heat and also gets above 25°C, without burning up several cubic meters of wood at a time. In addition to the rip out, re-store and re-build, we were evaluating the possibility to have a new kitchen floor, which to me needs several years of university study to be able to sort out picking, measuring and getting someone to lay it out for us if you are not willing to pay a fortune.

During that same week (yes, it should fit in during 1 week and yes, it is all about logistics), as we do have a container ordered, we will bring in some real men, with real muscles to help us de-clutter the cellar and the attic of old things probably sitting there for years, gathering spiderwebs.

So today we had a Villach tour to all the hardware stores, where I must be a VIP customer by now, due to the frequent confused visits there. They have probably enjoyed them though, however I have sensed a smirk and a suppressed laugh during the times I have tried to explain what I want, what I want to do with it and how it looks like. I might ad, that I am very creative, however not everything I imagine can be translated into reality…

At least we got most of what we wanted and a nice wooden chair to fit in the kitchen, the carpet for the pink room and some other stuff that wasn’t really on the list. But as a woman you do this kind of stuff. It is expected of you so why make anyone disappointed?

Driving from Velden this morning, I had to stop at my favourite place and take a picture over the clouds hanging low over the Wörthersee. It looked so mystic and so peaceful. During the day it cleared up and it almost reached 24°C.

So long - long live the do-it-yourself stores

/S

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27.9.2009 von admin.

… for 745 km, takes you from Toblach in Italy, through East Tirol and Carinthia in Austria, into Slovenia and then turning southeast, passing through Croatia and closing up the boarder between Croatia and Hungary. The Drava and the Spöl are the only rivers originating in Italy and drain into the Danube drainage basin. MAP of the Drava

The Drau/Drava bike road is 366km long and starts close to Toblach in Italy and is Europes no.1 in terms of scenic beauty and diversity. For more info, visit: www.drauradweg.com.  Personally, I would not do the 745 or the 366 km, but a couple I could manage, as long as I don’t own one of these electro-bikes. Even with a battery driven bike, I do see a slight problem; - the ability to charge the battery if you are in the middle of nowhere..

Anyway -

So long - hike with the bike

/S

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26.9.2009 von admin.

…. during this time of year it is peaceful and still. During nice weather, as today, you will find most people alongside the lake, sitting outside at the Cafes, either enjoying lunch or a coffee in the sunshine. It’s a relaxing atmosphere, not as crowded as during the summer months and you can feel how the guests, but also locals enjoy the start of the autumn, the scenery and the peace.

In between the newly built complexes and restored villas, you will find one or two old boathouses and small summer homes which lay behind high hedges, closed off from the surroundings.

Very many hotels and bed & breakfasts have already closed for the season and will open their doors in May next year again.

Pörtschach has a population of approx 2.600 and 90% are Austrian citizens. During the summer months, tourism is the major income, but still several small businesses are located here.

The tourism industry started in the mid 19th century and accelerated after the establishment of the Lake Woerth navy in 1853.

The history of Pörtschach goes back as far as pre-celtic and celtic and around the year 1490 the château Leonstain was erected, close to Pörtschach’s center. Today, a part of the castle has been reborn as a hotel, owned by the Neuscheller family.

It’s an extremely sweet town and I really enjoy sitting at the cafes, slurping a coffee and watch people passing by…

So long - time for afternoon Tea

/S

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25.9.2009 von admin.

….is located beautifully on the southern Wörthersee riverside belonging to the commune of Maria Wörth. Adolf Heinrich Bercht, later mayor in Klagenfurt, built the castle in 1898, based on drawings from the architect Zenkonski, however has been re-built several times since then.

The house has been used as a gallery by the the commune Maria Wörth, but bought for 6.4M€ in 2005 by Frank Stronachs Magna (it is Canada’s largest automobile parts manufacturer, one of Canada’s largest companies, owning the successful Magna Steyr automobile production company of Austria).

This deal has been criticized a lot by the press and locals, not only that it was sold rather cheap, but also the plans of making it a large luxury Management Relax/recovery Centre have not yet been realized.

I still believe though, that if you can’t appreciate the simple things in life and don’t know how to find your own inner peace, the level of luxury will not influence the way you feel about yourself in the end anyway.

So long - balance is key

/S

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23.9.2009 von admin.

…. starting in Pörtschach around midday with family and friends. We choose to go via Maria Wörth, passing the summer and winter church, then Reifnitz where the VW Golf is shown, passing Krumpendorf, then turning further east towards Klagenfurt. Settling in with a glass of Prosecco, sun and the beautiful view, we enjoyed the tour back to Pörtschach up on the deck.

Arrived safely back in Pörtschach, strolled along the boardwalk  until we found a restaurant just in time for lunch, which was enjoyed next to the lake.

What a great day to be out! Even though we are mid September, the weather is fantastic, air is clear and it is not as crowded as during the high season.

I am starving - got to go as dinner has just been served out on the veranda.

So long - bon apetite!

/S

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22.9.2009 von admin.

… and visiting my favourite places. The small tour started off, visiting the Sternberg church,  no matter what anybody says - it is my(!) church and this church brings out the melancholia in me. I will never stop worrying about the pain which is brought to you when somebody passes away and the strength required to move on. The incredible loss for parents if they have to bury their child, but also the happy moments and rituals should not be neglected and forgotten.

For me the bottom line is to cherish life as it is, but we tend to forget sometimes and that’s when this beautiful church reminds me of what is important,  not necessary placing God into a greater position in my life though.

After Sternberg church we went along the lake, via Pörtschach, Krumpendorf, Klagenfurt, Reifnitz, made a short stop at  Maria Wörth overlooking the lake towards Pörtschach.

Continued further through Schiefling and at Velden we turned towards Villach passing Faakersee.

Arriving in Villach we strolled through the pedestrian area, enjoyed a coffee in the sun, got some books from the bookstore and returned back to Techelsberg for the evening.

A nice relaxing day, reflecting upon life, enjoying the sun and the beautiful scenery…

So long - time to ponder

/S

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21.9.2009 von admin.

… bio, Finnish, Roman, herbal and sauna with chocolate fragrance(!). No matter how hard you try to avoid the sweet, brown, wonderful tasting, calorie filled cacao-pieces, they are everywhere and that must be a sign. A sign just needs to be read the right way…

Anyway, spent a relaxing day with my friend at the Römerbad in Bad Kleinkirchheim. Sauna (not the chocolate one I might add), swimming through the waterfalls, relaxing at the pool side, (rather) healthy lunch and ended the day with 8 minutes solarium, waking up the freckles.

The morning mist has not yet disappeared, but it is rather warm outside. Around mid-day the clouds and fog will dissolve and another great autumn day will bless us.

On our way back from Bad Kleinkirchheim, we noticed that the color of the trees start to change and soon the forests will shine bright in red, yellow, orange and brown. The autumns are beautiful here, and if we are blessed with nice weather and not too much rain, the air is clear, crisp and clean and the landscape invites you to explore its secrets, either on bike or foot.

Looking forward to another wonderful day in this beautiful place!

So long for now,

/S

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20.9.2009 von admin.

… for those of you passionate chocolate fans, the Museum in Klagenfurt is the perfect place to go. Until the 9th of January 2010,  you can smell, taste, buy and enter the world of chocolate and its secrets. For the full programme, check out the link.  I will need to stay at a safe distance not to end up as the Mayor Comte Paul de Reynaud in “Chocolat”. You need to know your weaknesses… I have at least one and that is chocolate in any form.

A dear friend arrived from Düsseldorf yesterday afternoon and even though there won’t be a visit to the museum to experience the history of cacao from a very close and intimate range, we will do something for our body and soul, which doesn’t include, inhaling the sweet, delicate smell of fresh made chocolate.

Jim left this morning towards Venice on his bike. He has been travelling through the Eastern European countries for the past months and is now on his way back to the UK, before his final departure from Europe, settling in Australia. We wish him all the best, take care and drive safe!

So long - stay connected

/S

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