19 - 25 May 2008

1000 Harley Davidson's (and their riders) arrived in Maria Alm on Saturday. I think they all came to look at the beautiful balcony flowers...and it tied in well with the 11th International Harley Festival at nearby Saalbach. Apparently Saalbach had 14,000 of them. 1000 was enough for us though, and the black and chrome did contrast very nicely with the flowers.

12 - 18 May 2008

Maria Alm's church is 500 this year. The celebrations began in earnest on Sunday in the usual manner, with whips, horses, music and marching. Then the Gemeinde (local council) performed the miracle of the feeding of the 500 (not quite 5000) and provided, free of charge, unlimited food and drink, from late morning through to late night, to the village community and any one else who cared to join in. The supply of beer, schnitzels and cake was apparently endless.

5 - 11 May 2008

Simon is attracted to the job of lifeguard in an Austrian pool, but fears his British training may be useless here since there seem to be no rules against running, diving, bombing, ducking people, throwing friends in, jumping into the pool from the viewing balcony, eating and drinking around the pool, taking photos, ball games, snorkels and flippers, going two at a time or standing up down the chute, swimming with all your clothes on or swimming with all your clothes off.

28 April - 4 May 2008

The annual Ritzenseelauf is a fun run around a local lake, for all ages. Not so much fun for the children trampled under foot by their over-enthusiastic peers, and possibly not so much fun for Caspar, who having come last in his category, is now embarking on a strict training regime in preparation for next year, with his Competitive Dad. Please note - no children were physically or emotionally harmed in the partaking of this event.