Friday July 20, Reith bei Kitzbuhel

July 20, 2019

Friday July 20, Reith bei Kitzbuhel

The Kitzbuhel band arriving for the concert.

Very late getting this blog done….we have been having the most amazing time, with too much happening to find time to write my diary!!

Our day started with haircuts, followed Elisabeth down the road to the village where she introduced us to her friend who is a hairdresser. Katherine spoke good English so no need for Elisabeth to interpret. And Ian actually decided he needed his cut too!!! She did a fantastic job, was very quick and in time we were back on the road looking (and feeling) so much better.

Onto the next village of Oberndorf to meet Helga and Herbert who are part of the circle of people that Darryl (our friend from Tarawera) had introduced us to. Darryl had house sat for them in 2015, and they are good friends of Elisabeth’s parents…all a bit complicated, but what a wonderful connection. We sat on their deck and had a small glass of schnapps which they said was a traditional welcome….and we didn’t complain. We were planning to drive to the next town of St Johann to see the Friday market, but the said they would take us.

Such a treat to sit back and be driven. We wandered through the old town, with its beautiful buildings that have the most intricate pictures and designs air brushed onto them. This is the town where Helga had worked for 20 years and Herbert had grown up in, so they were able to explain the history. The old hotel actually dates back to the 1400’s. Then it was off again up into the mountains near Griesenau (sorry am not sure of the exact name??) to a restaurant in an area where they do a lot of hiking. The views of the mountains just amazing. The helped with the menu and I had a traditional Tyrolean dish, Speckknodel which are dumplings with bacon and served with saurerkrat. Delicious.

On our way back home, they stopped at their local bakery and Helga selected some different traditional cakes which we took home and enjoyed with coffee, I am sure the waistline is going to need some serious work. Helga showed us around her Helga’s ceramic studio, wonderful work and no wonder she has had several exhibitions and also teaches the craft. And of course Herbert and I had a lot in common as he is also a very good photographer and I was able to view some of his work.

Back to the farm where Elisabeth was home from work and after a wee rest (to let all the food settle!) she had more plans for our day. Hanni and Walter, her parents took us into Kitzbuhel to a wonderful restaurant for dinner. It was a balmy evening and we sat outside and enjoyed a great meal. Before dinner Elisabeth introduced me to a “Hugo” Cocktail, similar to an Aperol Spritzer but uses elderflower syrup, with a slice of lime and some mint. Oh yes, a real winner for me!

But the evening wasn’t finished, soon we were off into the centre of town to a free concert from a traditional Tyrolian band which is put on every Friday night during summer, and Helga and Herbert joined us. A real crowd had gathered and soon we heard the band playing as they marched through the streets to the stage. Just fantastic, they were all dressed in their leather shorts and hats and the music was great. Four girls in traditional dress wandered through the crowd offering a glass of schnapps….and of course Elisabeth said we had to have one!!!

The buildings in the old part of town are painted in a range of colours and are home to some very top market stores, and as the sun set and the lights came on it was spectacular. The band played for over an hour after which we all went to an old restaurant for a night cap.

I can’t begin to explain what a treat the whole day has been for Ian and I, we have learnt so much about the Tyrolean tradition and culture, their food and their drinks. An absolute highlight of our travels.