Butterfly house in Vienna

Right around the corner from the Spanish Riding school is a marvelous butterfly house. As we walked past the atrium I could see beautiful butterfly's. Wow, I must go in. We had less than a half hour before they closed. It was most enjoyable. Many people had the butterfly's sitting on their fingers.

A shark hanging in a Austrian Castle

Imagine my surprise when I walked through the main entrance of this old castle to find a 16 foot Mako shark hanging in the ceiling guarding the entrance to the castle.
apparently he has been there for almost 400 years. Caught and brought back to ward of and protect the castle. It is the only castle which was never over run by the enemy.

Watermill hike and Peter Skoff's

The day did not dawn. We were in the clouds as a light mist swirls up from the valley. After our morning 8am breakfast ritual of yogurt with a little corn flakes, then a not-so hard boiled egg, gluten free buns with fresh homemade berry, strawberry jam. Occasionally cheese and salami ontop. I really liked the creamy local Eckart cheese. Then Tea, orange juice. we were ready to face the day. Lets drive a little more south to see a watermill and go for a hike. Large umbrellas in hand and rain coats we set out near the watermill. Up we wound until we saw a sign heading into a valley. Hiking boots which had not survved hung from the sign. This should instantly be a future warning vision. Off the road we started on the tract. crossed the small stream. The valley became narrower. I began to think about the tourists who go hiking to the waterfalls only to be swept away. If we were at home we would NEVER have ventured in this valley. we climb an enormous log jam. Bob is saying this isnt a good idea. Finally we come to our sences and turn around. Whew. On the way back we find a black and gold spotted salamander making his way uphill. Carole finds a large rock which looks just like petrified wood. What a find! Once back on the road we continue up. Sascha volunteeres to go get the car and we aks he picks up the petrified wood too. He and Bob return just as the sky's open up. We had reached the end of the road by someones big garden. On the way back we turned down the lane to Peter Skoffs vineyard. as we pulled in a elderly matron and her wet hunting dog appeared at the door. she invited us in. Her grandson was playing fussball. He is in his 20's and escorted us to a cafe room with a view overlooking a newly planted vineyard. Did we want to try all 40 wines or just a smaller assortment? He would bring 4 glasses out at a time and explane about each wine. They were all quite good. By the time we had tasted 16 different wines I was wondering if I would be able to walk out. Thankfully yes!
as we left we noticed at the end of each row of grape vines there was a rode bush. The insects affect the roses first so the farmer knows to begin to treat his grape vines.

Austrian Hike

As we stood at the crossorad of a decision I pointed out that if we went downhill like the trail marker indicated, we would be heading way down there. Dark green forested valleys which the vineyards plunge vertically down into. Thats not a problem except we have to hike out of there to get back here. Indecision and off we went down hill. Skirting the vineyards dangling their treasured grapes, ripe for the picking in a few days. Out we pop into a gorgeous Austrian flower bedecked home. we have stumbled on a treasere called TRABOS.( www.trabos.au) The owner is tending her flowers and comes to say hello. She has a rose leaf on her chest and wears a long Austrian dress.
In the courtyard of their establishment is a building leading to their wine making operation. across the courtyard is their cafe. Behind this a big garage and home. Brillant multi colored flower baskets decorate every wondow and legde. she has won awards for her flowers. Around the corner are half round wine barrels filled with vegtables and herbs. Their 18 hecters is surrounded by row after row of grapes. She advises us to continue on the trail as it will lead back to Adam-Leiligs where we are staying. Down we go past a large pond. The terrain levels out as we follow a small stream through along a forested road. Equisetum an ancient plant called hors tail blankets the forest ground. across the road we hike as bicyclests and motorcylests speed along on theis sunny day. We start ascending but it is not leading us toward our home. A quick look at the map shows we have many more hours of hiking if we continue on. Dead reconing we walk along the road, hopping the guard rail when cars come zooming by. Along a pasture we turn off the road and start climbing back up the forested hill. We arrive at an old home. it cement water trough serving water to bee's. Apple trees hang laden with fruit. A grass worn path starts up the hill. Up we go. We pass 2 children playing outdoors. Back into the vineyards as we near the crest of the hill we find outselves perfectly back at Adam-Leiligs. Yipee lets go to Trabos for a late lunch/dinner. Muuuumm Kranichsalat! Great Cuvee Josef wine. After our meal Josef Trabos himself shows us his wine making operation and pariently answers our questions via Margrit and Sascha's interpretstion.