We are leaving at 09:15 this morning instead of 09:00 as some of the group feel an hour is not long enough for breakfast!
They are also walking down to the coach as I’m not bringing it to the hotel today. The scratch still hurts!
The slide show was a bit disappointing and the Tyrolean Evening drew mixed reactions, some really enjoyed it while others weren’t too sure, some even leaving early.
It is a lovely hot sunny morning as we leave to go on our drive over one of Europe’s great mountain roads, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road.
Being in Saalbach is great for today as we are so close to the start of the Grossglockner and begin our ascent after only half an hour.
It is a toll road and it costs about £250 to drive on it today. No hoping they enjoy it, they will enjoy it!
We are given leaflets in English which point out various sights along the road and some even buy the guide book for €4.
Once we leave the toll booth the serious stuff begins with the first of our 36 hairpin bends to negotiate. The many cyclists on the road prove more hazardous than the sharp bends. At least at this time of the morning there is very little coming down so overtaking bikes is a lot easier than it will be later.
I have driven this road many times and can never tire of the magnificent scenery, especially on a day like today with crystal clear blue skies framing majestic mountains. It is stunning.
We stop for a coffee close to the top at Eidelweisspitz where you can see over two sides of the mountains.
From one side you can see the bends we have just driven looking like a giant boys car set with a constant stream of coaches, cars, motorbikes and cyclists.
They have a set of flags from all the European countries flying high, all except for the Union Flag, which is a bit off.
From here we drive over even more beautiful terrain to the charming village of Heilgenblut. Here there is one of the most photographed churches in Europe. The church is framed by mighty mountains with the glacier in the background. Go to anywhere that sells jigsaws and the chances are you will find one with this picture on it.
It is a lovely village as well and they all enjoy the stop here. It is very hot now and the air con seems to be working again.
We now drive back up towards the top of the pass before branching off to go to the glacier at Frank Joseph Hohe. This is my favourite part of the ride.
It is very busy with parking marshals stopping cars until there is a space free. We are waved through to drive up and park in the very busy coach park, full of not only coaches but cars and caravans too.
From here you can walk up to the glacier or catch the free shuttle bus with an easy walk back.
Looking over the edge from the coach park are the beaver like Marmots
Posing for pictures and waiting to be fed!
Leaving here at 15:30 we return over the pass and back to Saalbach, arriving back by 17:15. I once again don’t chance the hotel and drop the people off at the parking place.
I am going out for dinner tonight and decide to go back to the restaurant Wendy and I used when we came here earlier this year.
A delicious fillet steak and chips later I am back in my room ready for an early start to the garage tomorrow.
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