Sunday, 1 September 2013

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

 

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.

 

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...