Taun Super Spa in Kaprun

The most wonderful Spa I could ever imagine. We spent a good few hours at this water paradise swimming in thermal salted waters, multi pools indoors and outdoors with breath taking views of the Kaprun Glacier/Mountains and surrounding valleys. The boys loved the slides rapids and sports pools. Saunas wet rooms, restaurants and everything you could possibly want with the wonderful architecture we have come to take for granted in this beautiful place Austria. www.tauernspakaprun.com - truly magnificent.

Grossglockner Pass Mud Slide!

Yesterday we went out in the Van to try and get my bike fixed due to the gears being snapped off the rear by George riding to close and smashing into my rear.... Unfortunately the part is not a
available in Austria so I opted to remove the gears leaving it as one gear bike. This failed to so I am currently without bike...arrrghhh.

Later we decided to buy a ticket and traverse the Grossglockner Pass (featured on Hairy Bikers recently) which crosses the Alps providing one of the oldest routes to Italy and Slovenia. It is now mainly a tourist attraction and spans 30km and 30 hairpin bends with a maximum road height of 8000ft. At the fe end you have a choice of heading towards Italy or up to the Grossglockner Glacier. We chose the Glacier and another 8 hairpin bends and serious winds combined with the start of a major Thunderstorm.

We viewd the amazing Glacier before heading back the 30km and 30 hairpin bends to the start of the pass. As we were driving the lightening storm came in and the rain was so heavy it was nearly pitch black. We could see the lightening striking the ground within half a mile so it was not just the 8000ft drops we had to worry about!

We finally got round the the last hairpin and headed for the tunnel that leads to the main gate....around the next corner we were confronted by a brand new Mud Slide right across the exit road and flowing into a raging mountain river beside the road. The mud, debris and force of water made the road impassable so we parked up as the two or three other car drivers also got out to access the situation!

A polish guy took charge and we all waded in and started lifting branches and rocks and throwing them in the river. This started to allow the force of water to start to clear some of the mud and grit which was about 12 inches higher than the road surface. After about 15 minutes we had cleared enough for a bike to try and ride through and he succeeded so an Audi 4x4 went for it and also made it. I did not fancy spending the night between a mudslide and raging river so we got back in and I headed for the mudslide and simply drove through the water and over the debris and we were all VERY relived when we were clear.

Zell am See Sportcamp

Day before yesterday we cycled 18km from our campsite to Zell am See and then cycled around the whole lake. Great fun and spectacular scenery throughout. Zell am See lunch in beautiful sunshine. Yesterday we fished on the lake and caught three Roach which the boys were delighted with. Will be moving on the Innsbruck tomorrow.

Too nice to leave

We have decided to stay another two days before moving on to Sportscamp Wofergut just south of Zell-am-See.

Swimming Pool

These pictures are of the swimming pool last night. Today we have relaxed at the camp site with temperatures in the 90s!

Mountain Walk

Today we cycled into Lofer along the riverside track and then ascended the Gondola to the middle station of the Lofer Mountain and then walked down the mountain path to the bottom. We then had Apple Strudel and Cappuccino before heading for the swimming complex to cool down! Later we rode up-river to a beautiful spot near another mountain. Scenery is amazing....

Grubhof 5**** Camping

We arrived at Grubhof Camping in St Martin bei Lofer, Salzburg Land Austria three days ago having stopped off at a site at the head of the German Wine Trail en-route. The site was awarded site of the year by Alan Rogers in 2011 and was in the "Independents" Top 50 Campsites recently. The location in a valley by a fast flowing river is amazing and the facilities are as good as you can get at a campsite. Excellent restaurant and wellness facility as well as lots to do for the kids. The site offers a local card that gives free entrance to the local swimming pools and cable cars which is great as everything is within a short cycle ride. The local town of Lofer is quaint and has a cafe to die for with the best selection of pastries yo can imagine....Will be staying here until Sunday earliest but may stay longer unless we have to get away from the cake shop!.