Getting out and About

Now that the bike is legal here we are taking some time to explore our surroundings. When we have coach groups in we can get away for a few hours on the day we have the barbecue as we can get everything prepared in advance. When we don't have groups in we have some time on Mondays because it is the one day we do not open for lunch. So last week we had a coach group and took advantage of our free time to ride over the Nockalmstrasse. As it is me writing this and not her you get a picture of interesting cars we saw on our trip! A pair of ACs both RHD and both registered in Vienna, and made a fantastic noise when they drove off.

This Monday we got up early to ride to Berchtesgaden, around 150 kms away. And what a road, it has got to be my favourite route so far, a fantastic mix of tight bends and open sweeping curves. The B99 over Obertauern a road made for motorcycles. We stopped for coffee a Werfen ( where the castle featured in "Where Eagles Dare") before crossing into Germany on a single track road. The sign for Germany was smaller than most English village nameboards. We wanted to visit the "Eagles Nest" which we knew was just outside Berchtesgaden. What we didn't know is that the Germans call in the "Kehlsteinhaus" so it took a little finding.

But as you can see find it we did, it was an amazing experience walking in the footsteps of the perpetrators of some of the greatest acts of evil the world has known. I find it incomprehensible that the Nazi leaders could have come to this beautiful place on a regular basis and still wished harm to their fellow men. That is is now full of visitors of all nationalities and creeds is of some comfort. As Ros said maybe they should erect a Star of David next to the cross.

The ride back was a little quicker than on the way, we rode in company with a German biker who's reg plate proclaimed him as GOD! He did not ride like one however and we left him behind after a while.

Just so you don't get the wrong idea today we have chopped 10Kgs of carrots to make soup for 45 people, made more Turkey Schnitzels than I care to think about, and cooked lunch for three Germans. We are also busy organising our Latin American evening ( this Friday) which I am sure will be the subject of the next exciting episode of this blog.

John (for a change)