And so the adventures continue… (Austria Part 2)

Since my first Austria post, these days have been a real mix of taking it easy whilst also exploring our surroundings.  With the weather largely being on our side for adventures beyond our chalet, we have been able to experience a side of nature unlike anything I have seen before; particularly on the Grossglockner Alpine Road

Thursday: Reputed to be one of the most scenic drives in Europe, The Grossglockner Alpine Road is named after the tallest mountain in Austria, Grossglockner(!), and the road itself is the highest mountain pass in the country.  Nothing can prepare you for the steep climes and hairpin bends that dominate the route as you navigate your way through this ever-changing alpine scenery. Snow-covered peaks, frozen lakes, green hills laden with trees, zebra-like black and white facades of the mountain, clouds that form and disperse and then reform before disappearing entirely. Marmots (squirrel-like creatures) playing on the steep ravines that fall to the valleys below… the list just goes on.  The only disappointing fact is that the pictures don’t fully represent that awe and wonder that this place possesses. Grandeur in its fullest form. And then there was us… a truly humbling experience.

Friday: Temperatures rose to the mid 20s today so we sat out in the sunshine…ignored the bugs, slowed down the pace and talked life…amongst other things!  Grateful that we can experience these places together.  We worked out that we have travelled to 27 countries together in the 7 and a half years of being us. So grateful that I can call this guy my husband and my best friend.

Saturday & Sunday: The rains came down this weekend…rather refreshing and beautiful at the same time. So we relaxed some more, walked, talked, barbecued, sampled various Austrian wines and planned our short trip to the world famous village of Hallstatt where we  stayed overnight…

Monday: After a 2 hour drive, we still had most of the day to explore this sleepy town so, after checking in to our family-run Bed & Breakfast, we ventured up the funicular to the most fantastic viewpoint over Hallstatt.  Here we also went on a fascinating tour of the world’s oldest salt mine. Dinner that evening consisted of salt-crusted trout from Lake Halstatt accompanied by incredible views.

Tuesday: Ben was keen to experience sunrise over this sleepy town so we set our alarm for 5am and ventured out.  Despite my longing to return to the warmth of my duvet,  there is something so simple and beautiful about being surrounded by the dawn chorus – amid the sounds and smells of nature and nothing else.  After breakfast, we headed to visit an ice cave which, when we entered, felt like another world.

In the midst of all of this, we have also been thinking, contemplating, praying and just being. We have seen the awesomeness of God through so many different faces of creation since being here. The news that God is working in and through us is something that we want to spread as far and wide as we can, so get your FREE DOWNLOAD of our new song ‘Dwell Among Us’ from Noisetrade (limited time only) and we would love it if you would share our music as Salt of the Sound too if you feel able.  Have a listen below – we’d love to know your thoughts…

Anita x

Written by Anita on 14th May 2015 in Life

 

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