Austria

Today we struck out for the Hellbrunn Castle and its trick fountains and amazing gardens. We thought we could walk. We were wrong. Halfway there we caught a cab. It was a cool tour and Kallie managed to get wet enough in the trick fountains to enjoy it but not too wet for the rest of the day. A little lunch at the castle and a popsicle and a cab back to the hotel for a bit of a rest before we struck out on a late afternoon walk before dinner.

These trick gardens were built 400 years ago — a little whimsy from the Archbishop, who liked to play pranks on his guests — even at the dining table in the garden if they’d had a little too much wine to drink. And they couldn’t get up until the Archbishop left the table (his seat was strategically placed not to get wet!)

Other kids raced through here and got soaked through and through.
Tomorrow we leave for Heidelberg, Germany and my feet are looking forward to some driving and a day off!

What a delightful day. Nothing like drenching rain to make you appreciate a pretty, dry day. Woke this morning to the sounds of the street below the window of our hotel, which dates back to 1407.

We wandered around the heart of the old city today, and explored the Dom (cathedral) Residenz Palace, St. Peter’s Cemetery and the Mirabelle gardens.

This cemetery is really something to behold, full of lovely flowers and plants and vines, each grave individually planted and cared for by the relatives of those who lie there, as is the European tradition. It inspires a reverence, both because it is the final resting place of many of the city’s forebears, but also for the meticulous care of each of these miniature gardens, so lovingly tended.
The Mirabelle Gardens are beautiful, in the true European tradition of formal gardens – carefully sculpted and arranged.

It was sunny and dry all day. We walked and we stopped for a little pastry, and we walked a little more and stopped for a little more pastry!

Tomorrow – more walking, sightseeing and pastry!