Walk to Giehringer Weiher

I had read about the Giehringer Weiher - a natural warm mountain lake about 90 minutes walk from Kitzbuhel and thought it would be worth visiting. Just some random photos from the walk below:

 

 

Beautiful views - this farmhouse seems literally in the middle of nowhere: thought would be a good spot for you and Philippe.

This 'restaurant/guesthouse' in the countryside is typical of the floral displays - they do like the gaudy colours! Lunch can be had for less than €10 euros and the people have all been really friendly and all speak at least some English.

And this is the lake - with the reflection

Stephen and I in sporty walking mode

 

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Coffe & Cake in Kitzbuhel old town

On Friday afternoon we walked into town (only about a 10-15 minute walk from the Schloss Lebenberg) and had a quick wander around.

At around 4pm it seems to be the norm for Kitzbuhel to have a drink and people-watch in the Main Street of the medieval old-town.

We chose a busy, mainstream cafe - mostly because they had a coffee and cake deal for €4.90 (plum, cherry or berry - I chose cherry).

Here is the view of the street from the outdoor table at the cafe.

Kitzbuhel is a wealthy town and due to the winter ski season visitors there are a lot of prestige shops; Cartier, Moncler, boutiques... The local Austrian women favour quite ostentatious outfits with prints and gold jackets and there is a bit of plastic surgery around. But also, classic preppy outfits: shirts, pearls and week-cut trousers. King Charles spaniels are the small dog of choice and I have molested one or two.

Opposite is this building - apparently built in 1360 although it appears almost too well-maintained for that to be true.

And we passed this pretty building further down the street on the way back to the Schloss.

 

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Kitzbuhel dining

Dearest papa,

In the hope that you will agree to come here next year (and not to make you jealous) I embarrassed Stephen last night by taking a photo of each and every dish.

 

First, the entrees; Stephen had the tuna while I had the blue cheese mousse:

Then the soup; I had the Kohlrabi cappuccino (a type of root vegetable I believe, but very creamy and nice). Stephen had the beef bouillon with a liver dumpling (yucks!)

Course three is a salad buffet - I like to make a mini Caesar with sliced egg and bacon bits...

Then straight on to the mains. These were really great last night, although I don't think my photos do them justice. My spaetzle are an Austrian pan-fried noodle and they were just delicious and had some crispy onion rings. Stephen's trout looked good also.

Then there is the dessert - Stephen had the pannacotta while I went for the lemon curd mousse with honeyed apricots. As you can see it is almost impossible to diet here so I am counting on walking 3 hours a day to ward off the porkiness!

There you have it - I think you will enjoy the dinners here.

I finish off with tonight's menu...

 

 

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Postcard from Kitzbuhel

Hello Papa,

Just a few shots of the lovely Kitzbuhel... the first few from my walk into town the first afternoon:

This is a view of one of the main streets in the old town

This is an example of the traditional architecture

 

This is the old church

 

And now some pictures from a 3 hour (mostly bloody uphill) walk yesterday

 

That's it for now - another post to follow on food!

 

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Donna Hay Dinner

I cooked up two really basic recipes from Donna Hay's cookbook tonight.

The chorizo and chickpea dish took literally 8 minutes and was really yummy although chickpeas here seem much smaller.

But this cake is a real winner - everything in a bowl, mix until combined and top with apple, blueberries and Demerara sugar. Prep time is about 10 minutes and it always turns out well. This time I could have cooked it for another 5 minutes, it's a little too moist maybe... but still tasted great with some thick cream

 

 

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Surprise Birthday Dinner

My Friday night drinks with Rachel turned out to be a surprise birthday dinner that Caroline and Rachel had organised.

The restaurant was 86 on the Fulham road, Chelsea - a really nice bar also but I'd never eaten there before.

Here are some photos of the night

 

We had the lovely big blue booth at the back and were 8 in total

Here's the lovely Rachel and Alex, a friend is Stephen's from Queens

Caroline and Dan

 

Stephen and Kate; really lovely girl who is dating Josh, Stephen's old flatmate

My mini burgers - called Sliders - salt and pepper squid and fries

 

Stephen's burger

Kate brought me these lovely cupcakes from Lola's at Selfridges - one didn't survive long as I demolished it when I got home at midnight...

 

 

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Hydrangea

Here's the first plant for my garden - I think seeing it in the flower bed gives an idea of how narrow the beds are.

Off to the garden centres at 10am (I'll take a sheet to protect van, as you suggest!)

 

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