WOW!
This is just breathtaking.
Everywhere you turn...the scenery is UNBELIEVABLE!
I just walk around gazing upwards.
The first indication was the bus drive yesterday.
But walking round Innsbruck is amazing.

Up and gone by bus to a place up in the hills near Innsbruck.
As we waited for the horse and cart to arrive we were able to just stand and look at the vista set out before us.
Everything is so neat and tidy...even the paddocks.
They honestly look like green felt has been laid everywhere.
The cart came clip clopping around the corner into view drawn by two large chestnut horses.
Everyone seemed to think that I should ride in the front with the driver....so I did.
And off we went.
What a magnificent way to see the country.
I think I could be a gypsy.
We drove past all these pristine mountain houses with their beautiful window box displays.
Farms with wood cut to PRECISELY the same length and stacked high ready for the winter.
Past churches with high steeples
Past houses that were built 600 years ago
On a crisp, sunny morning.
All the while surrounded by enormous snow capped mountains.
I don't know if it gets much better than this.

But it did.
Did I mention Schnapps at 8.30 in the morning?
More about that later.

So we turned into a tiny village....autumn coloured trees, parked the horses in front of a tiny milk bar....while ahead of us was a beautiful church.
We all alighted and were invited to walk into the church.
WOW!
These village people knew how to decorate a church.
It's 300 years old
Beautiful wooden pews...light in colour though
And stunning paintings on all the walls and dome.

Then, the driver offers us all a schnapps to help take the chill out of the morning.
It did that all right.
Went down a treat.

The lady from the milk bar joined us under the trees and we all chatted away.
Like pulling up at the Narre North store 40 years ago.

Back in the cart again and off on another route through the forest.
Fantastic.
All up about an hour and we ended up at a restaurant in another small village for morning tea.
Absolutely loved it.

Austria is simply stunning...my favourite so far.
Everywhere you look is amazing.

Ok...then back on the bus.
Travelled to Liechtenstein for a stop for lunch....had my passport stamped!
Scenic ( of course ) and the palace way up on the mountain.

Then into Switzerland.
WOW!
Mountains, lakes, picture perfect houses, villages and farms....
Paddocks looked like green felt again.
Some facts about Switzerland
Some areas of Switzerland, women did not get the vote until 1991.
That's 1991.
That's what we were told.
Haven't confirmed it on Safari yet though

78% of the population can fit into the underground bunker system spread throughout the country.
The bunkers contain hospitals, schools...even jails.
By law each house must have a bunker or access to one.
Every man must do army training and every 2 years until the age of 50, they must do 4 weeks refresher courses.
Switzerland is not that big and one army manoeuvre went 2 miles over their border and 'invaded' Liechtenstein by mistake.
Apparently, Switzerland apologised and Liechtenstein said that's ok.

So we arrived in Lucerne.
It's beautiful.
And we are staying 2 minutes walk from the centre of town one way and 3 minutes walk from the Lion Monument the other.
First thing, all went to see the Lion Monument.
Now, I know you won't believe this...but this is one of the main things I have been looking forward too.
( Yep )
Amazing.
And huge.
And so emotive.
Going back to sit and stare again tomorrow.

Then....dinner tonight at a Swiss restaurant .
Great night.
They played bottles, bells, giant horns...
Threw flags...
Yodelled ...
Funny night.

Off to ride up the mountain tomorrow .
Then back at noon and free day in the city....till a dinner here at the hotel at 7.30pm.

Great day.
Xxx