Nauders Friday 31 August 2012

Friday 31 August

It is Brian’s birthday today and when we come down for breakfast the table has been decorated with bunting and Brian has a bottle of wine and large Happy Birthday on the table. It is a lovely touch and I’m sure Brian is touched by this show of affection from the hotel.

We depart the hotel at 09:00 for our day out in Innsbruck. It is raining and the temperature has dropped considerably.

Before we reach Innsbruck I take the group to the Bergiswel, the large ski jump situated high above the city and the scene of two Olympic Games as well as World Cup ski jumping every year. The whole area has been redeveloped in the last few years and it is now possible to get to the top by a small funicular railway alongside the jump.

As we approach we can see the jump high above the clouds and when we reach it there are clear views back down to Innsbruck.

I walk most of the group from the coach park to the bottom of the ski jump where the funicular goes from. All but a few want to go up to the top so I negotiate a group rate and off we go!

We have struck lucky today as there are ski jumpers practicing all the time we are here. They have to be mad!

The ride up the side of the ski jump is spectacular in itself and once at the top there is a viewing point where you walk outside of the main building but are enclosed in glass and also a cafe with superb views wherever you sit.

I stop short of going out to the viewing point as it scares me a little! I have a funny feeling in my tummy of dread that feels like my whatnames have come up into my stomach!! Probably not the best description but that is what it does feel like.

Once back at the coach we drive into the coach park close to the centre of Innsbruck from where we walk the group into the old town which is a very gentle 5-10 minute walk.

As it is Brian's birthday a group of us are going to lunch and we find a nice Italian restaurant in the shadow of the Golden Roof in the heart of the old town. There is Brian, myself, Hollie, Dot and Norma and we enjoy a lovely lunch.

The fun starts when we are ready to pay!

There is an ongoing battle to stop Norma always paying and I managed it in Italy earlier this year by creeping to the till on my way to the loo. Norma is very generous and it was nice to pay her back!

Today it is a straight fight between Norma and Dot to pay!!

It is hysterically funny watching them moaning at each other like an old married couple. They are both lovely and generous and we always appreciate their kindness and I think Norma won out on this occasion! 

After lunch Hollie and I have a walk around Innsbruck before returning to the coach a little tired and still full from lunch.

We are away from Innsbruck at 15:15 and arrive back at the hotel at 17:00. Plenty of time for a shower, change and beer before dinner!

Once again we have bunting on the table and Happy Birthday messages in Brian's glass as well as a bottle of wine. After dinner a cake is brought out with a firework going off on it! We all sing Happy Birthday to Brian.