Thursday July 18, Reith bei Kitzbuhel

A very special evening.

What a great day we have had, tonight we are staying with Elisabeth Obermoser on her parents farm, high up in the hills at almost 900 metres with the van parked in the field overlooking the mountains….it doesn’t get better than this!

It was a leisurely day as didn’t have a great distance to travel, chatted with some of the others are the campsite before heading off to Mittersill, a town we had driven through yesterday. Had seen a large parking area beside the National Park headquarters which was perfect as so often we want to stop in a town but can find nowhere to park. I needed to get to a bank to change the Swiss Francs we still had into Euro’s and also to visit a pharmacy as unlike in NZ, supermarkets don’t sell any medications. But by the time I had walked into town it was after 12 and most of the shops shut from 12 until 2. Had a good nosey around the town and after picking up some bread rolls for lunch wandered back to the van, then back into town at 2. All jobs sorted.

Another very nice drive up and over a mountain pass to Kitzbuhel and onto Reith where we had arranged to meet Elisabeth at a parking area after work. We met Elisabeth in 2016 when she visited Darryl, one of our neighbours at Lake Tarawera. We so enjoyed her company and she joined us on the lake on several occasions and even managed to catch her first trout. So wonderful to see her again.

We followed Elisabeth to the farm, pleased to have her in front as the road was only one way, climbing up through the mountains to the farm house. The traditional timber building is over 500 years old, and as with most Austrian farm buildings, the barn is attached to the house. It is absolutely delightful, with geraniums tumbling out of window boxes and a lush flower and vegetable garden, and chickens and ducks wandering around. To be able to visit a home like this is an absolute highlight for us. Inside, the living area is full of such character with its large wood stove and timbered beams.

Elisabeth’s mum had put together some platters of wonderful food and we sat out on the deck and had a great evening. There was homemade spelt bread, along with her own soft cheese, local cheeses, cold meats and all decorated with flowers and herbs from the garden. What a treat. These sorts of times are just so special when you are travelling.

And tomorrow I am off to the hairdressers…..at last!!!

Just had to laugh at these huge sculptures
in the middle of a round a bout!

Anyone home?

Great wood storage.

The "heart" of the house.

A wonderful meal.