Terrific Tirrol

Avid blog readers will note that my last few entries have been completed every 7 - 10 days or so and usually after leaving a site and moving on to the next venue. I break with tradition on this occasion as this is an area deserving of special mention.

For those of you who may not know the area too well, let me explain as best I can: the city of Innsbruck is set in a deep and narrow valley between two mountain ranges. Apart from the city, the valley contains the River Inn and also motorway and rail track linking this region of Austria to Switzerland which is some distance to the west. The mountains in front of our caravan (see photo) are simply awesome and run along the valley for mile after mile. The mountains that you can see, separate Austria from the Bavarian region of Germany. The mountains at the rear of our caravan separate Austria and Italy. We are located south of the River Inn, which runs basically in an east/west direction. From the valley floor, the land rises steeply and gives access to a reasonably flat plateau which also runs east/west and gives ample opportunity for walking and cycling on the various cycle tracks and quiet roads that link the various villages.

The farmers in this area are working industriously and expeditiously in order to literally make hay whilst the sun shines! It is very warm (29/30 degrees), sunny and there is a good drying wind. My Uncle Bernard always wore a serious face at hay time as the weather around Stonyhurst was almost certain to break at the vital moment, but he would have been delighted with the conditions here. As the farms are within the centre of the villages, there is the sweet and fresh aroma of new hay as one explores the exquisite little communities.

All in all, this is a mighty fine place to be and if any reader of the blog is stuck for a holiday destination, then may I suggest a cheap flight to Innsbruck and a short bus ride to the villages of Natters, Mutters, Gotzens, Birgitz or Axams. Each village is equipped with a variety of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets and each village has the same spectacular views,which do truly take the breath away!

Best wishes to all,

John and Margaret.