“We are now in the mountains and they are in us, kindling enthusiasm, making every nerve quiver, filling every pore and cell of us.”
John Muir
Sunday
A better night’s sleep for Shell.
Breakfast provided.
Today we head for Austria. The most western state, Voralberg. Our village is at 1700 m elevation and in the heart of the Große Walsertal biosphere reserve and the Bregenz Forest.
If there is a better place to mend the body, I cannot think of it.
“We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it to the full.”
Marcel Proust
We make our way south and the Damüls range marks the border. Even from a distance, these mountains thrust toward the skyline from the plains. There is no gradual climb into the mountains, they rise up like broken teeth. Huge. Breathtaking.
“The mountains were his masters. They rimmed in life. They were the cup of reality, beyond growth, beyond struggle and death. They were his absolute unity in the midst of eternal change.”
Thomas Wolfe
Dairy cattle and gladioli farms are what makes south east Germany a great drive.
Once we cross into and the mountains arrive, you are left speechless by the landscape. I am not sure I have ever seen panoramas as beautiful as this part of Austria.
We arrive at our place and lament the fact it was only available for the one tonight. We have two nights nearby, but I cannot see how it will measure against Balma.
Two balconies, a wine fridge, and a private sauna.
Dinner is in the restaurant underneath our flat.
A local specialty soup to start, rinderbrühe mit ei followed by pizza. Strudel for dessert.
Don’t judge the pizza. We are under an hour from Italy.
Tonight’s wines –
2022 Mindnich Silvaner (Nahe, Germany)
Another good argument for Silvaner.
2020 Strommer Blaufränkisch (Burgenland, Austria)
Our first Blaufränkisch. Great structure. Good fruit and minimal oak. Great wine with pizza.
Home.
Bed.
The rain has set in. It is 13 degrees. I could not be happier.
Glorious day.
Beautiful scenery, perfect weather with 13 degrees and rain.