And here are a couple miscellaneous pictures from the drive:
Work was more routine today. By routine, I mean that in the context of aviation and certification - could not do tests because some equipment was down. Luckily we are ahead of schedule and can catch up tomorrow and have Thursday as a complete fall back.
Not much else to report on the work side. At lunch, I had the local favourite drink - apple juice with water. And wouldn't you know it, some local (Manitoba) connections could be drawn:
The drive back to the hotel was equally enjoyable with one train at the crossing this time:
Just to give you an appreciation of the country side, I was able to record this;
(Editor's note: this video may or may not work depending on whether the music I had playing is audible and caught by copyright filters...)
Back at the hotel, I decided my daily exercise today would be a hike/walk. I spotted a trail with people walking on it as I approached the hotel so figured that would be a good idea. I took this picture of the map as a reference point:
I was going to do the green loop which was 5.12km (yes, German-like precision). So I set out on my hike.
The first observation - a snake:
At this point, I started to wonder "are there poisonous snakes in Austria?" I did not intend to find out.
I thought about going the opposite direction as to what was shown on the map and direction sign. I started that way:
After 20 steps, I reconsidered and went the other way (the correct way), thinking that perhaps I should go the way that is marked, might be easier to stay on the path. Ha...
The temperature was a balmy 31.5*C - I would say a HOT 31.5*C but others might not. I had my iPod and headphones in but fairly early in the walk removed one headphone to hear the birds in the trees.
I wasn't sure what this sign meant but figured I was ok going past the gate. Looks like the path was an old/current logging road:
This was the start of my short elevation gain. According to the map above, I was expecting a 30m gain in elevation.
Evidence of logging;
Shortly after this mound of logs, I came to an unmarked fork in the road. To the left you went down, to the right you went up. I chose up.
I came to an opening in the trees to a pretty amazing view:
I looked at the map and figured I was on the correct path. Below me (and to the left) was the road I was driving on each day and the map seems to show that you stay near that road for the next 1.25 km or so. So I continued to walk. When I got to a right turn and a path going away from the road, I decided to stop and check my app (Map My Run) to see where I was. I did some calculating from miles to km and figured that yes, I was on the wrong path. So I turned around and went back to the fork and to the road "left" traveled.
I was correct - the left road was the one I was supposed to take (but wouldn't have had the same vantage point ;) ). I continued on my walk:
At this point, I looked at my picture map again and realized that I goofed when I did my calculation - 1.25 miles is not 3 km. I probably was on the correct path. I had two options - go on the road to the left (as seen above) back towards the hotel and finish on the red path which was 2 kms or so. Or I could go to the right and walk the green trail backwards. I wasn't ready to go back so I chose right.
The walk was quite peaceful - a bicyclist passed by and so did a kid (20-25 years old) on a skateboard. Sorry, no pics. But I did get one of this crop (corn?):
And this one of a small river/stream:
And a bug on a blossom:
I entered the village of Brunn an der Pitten which borders on the road I drive to work. I also ended up walking along the side of the road which is the correct path according to the map (I know because I saw a 2.0 km green marker on one of the road markers). It is a pretty quaint Austrian village:
The building to the right with the half-doors is a barn. In town. On the side of the road.
A fire hall (Feuerwehr)
A few mins later, I entered Linsberg which I also drive through.
Would be a tight squeeze in a North American car...
I'm guessing this was a cold storage room. Or a shelter...
I then came to the same point I had already walked. This time I went left to go back to the hotel. And apparently took the same picture as before...
This is the village of Bad Erlach. It's not so bad:
In order to cross the tracks, I had to go down:
In the 322-xxxx phone number district, this would have just been a gravel path that intersected with the tracks. There would have been a crossing made of wood so you could take your bike over the tracks (safely) and maybe a crossing marker.
What was supposed to be a 5.12 km walk ended up being 5.16 miles. But it did not disappoint.
(68m elevation gain)
Where I took some pics
I was ready for a shower and then had to get on a conference call for work. Afterwards, I talked to Lola who was on her lunch break and went for dinner at the hotel, this time outside. Goat curry tonight. Soooo good but I am soooo full...
After dinner, it was time to get some more work done - getting on another conference call and then going through emails.
Tomorrow will be a slightly later start time (9:30 at the facility) so I can get a little more sleep as I wrap up this lengthy blog at 11:45pm.
Good night / guten nacht!
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