Austria 5: Mauterndorf (part two)

18 - 20 June

I can see for miles

We had timed our visit to Mauterndorf to coincide with a day when the railway operated and also to watch the Samsonzug at nearby Mariapfarr. There are ten of these huge figures (6.5 metres, 80 kg) in the Lungau area of Austria; the parades in each town take place on different days throughout the summer. The Samson depicts the fight of the Jews against the Philistines and is built on a wooden or metal frame and carried by one strong man with four assistants at his side. He is accompanied by a male and female dwarf and a band. As the procession makes its way around the town, it stops from time to time and the Samson performs a waltz. Most important are the two ladies walking through the crowds dispensing schnapps from a barrel. It was a fantastic community event and a good photographic opportunity.

Hazel and John had driven us to Mariapfarr and we had been able to park at their friend's daughter's house (Christina). We were invited to join her and husband Franz, plus grandma, brother and partner on their shady patio for beer / schnapps / ice cream / coffee and there was plenty to talk about in both English and German - the parade, Mautendorf and surrounding area, Christina and Franz's wedding just one week before and Scotland, where they are spending their honeymoon in August. It was lovely to spend some time with an Austrian family.

The following day our tour leaders extraordinaires drove us to the start of one of their favourite walks at the Etrachsee.  Hunting is a popular pastime and the hides are up high so that the hunter is shooting in a downward trajectory to minimise the risk of a person being shot if the bullet goes right through the animal.

The more gentle start along a gravel track became a steep climb through lovely woodland to reach the Rudolf-Schober-Huette, which was very welcome for lunch after the 1 hour 45 minute walk.

Rudolf-Schober-Huette

There are many of these huts located on walking and hiking routes to offer walkers food, drink and accommodation. The descent was somewhat quicker and we celebrated with an ice cream beside the lake before driving back to Mauterndorf.

A quieter day followed to recover from these exertions. We took the Grosseckbahn (cable car) - free ride with our Lungaukarte! - and then walked the remaining distance to the Grosseck (2000 metres) where there was still a pocket of snow. 

We admired the wonderful views, took plenty of photos and had refreshment at one of the hiking huts, before returning to the van.  Later on we were collected by Hazel and John to go out to dinner together as this was our final evening in Mauterndorf.

Andlwirt restaurant

From now on, we are on our own again.