In which Sid and Doris take Hermann and ride the funicular to make easy height, and then scale a mighty peak.
This is our last day in the splendid Hotel Weingarten in Sankt Pauls so time for one more hike. Armed with the local Kompass 1:25,000 map we are determined to get higher and see further, though we need low cloud to burn off to see much of anything.
On our way out we spot what seems likely to be the Conveyance of the Day, it is a Haflinger made by Steyer Puch in Austria. But it was not to be the winner.
We had spotted a long and winding road up to Mendelpass from which to set off into the local trails. As soon as she had the new map Doris spotted the Mendelbahn funicular railway, so Hermann was given the day off at the bottom as we rode up the mountain.
Opened in 1903 to serve hotels offering climate cures it was the longest, steepest and fastest funicular in Austria and was opened by Emperor Franz Joseph himself. At the time it was connected by rail to Bozen (also known as Bolzano) and other lines to enable a railway tour of these mountains. Losses put an end to that joy in 1934. This picture gives more detail for the truly Bonkers, and the funicular is a worthy winner of Conveyance of the Day.
Up, up and away.
At the top we are delighted to see two nuns out for a hike and they kindly allow a picture. Nuns have been a very lucky sign on past journeys, a story for and from another time.
We head off into the trees climbing well, but we feel we need a view to justify the trip. Wily Sid spots a way to a fine peak, not far away. Doris composes a walk that will not return by the same route. The cloud has risen enough and the views are epic.
Hermann brings us home to bathe in the lily pond and watch the rain come in. But we are off the mountain and soon tucked up on our chalet style balcony.