Little Lolly's Small Adventures: Salzburg Salt Mine and The Sound of Music

Unfortunately we didn't visit Hohenwerfen Castle. We were up at a reasonable hour but when we got to the castle there was a long queue for the funicular up the cliff face to the castle. We could have walked up the path but with the weather not looking great and the fact that we would miss a highly recommended bird of prey show - we decided not to go.

What to do next? We weren't sure but plotted what seemed like a scenic route, according to our map, with a visit to Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden (Salzburg salt mines) thrown in. Our route was indeed very scenic - Rossfeld Panorama Strasse (Roßfeld Panorama Straße) which played a role during the filming of the Sound of Music. We were certainly not disappointed and were bowled over by the breathtaking views.

We eventually arrived at the salt mines but couldn't find the parking and nearly parked in the employees car park until we saw the tow-away sign so had to re-think our parking plan. Eventually we found the parking area and took a walk back across the river and booked a time slot for the mine tour. Fortunately the wait wasn't too long so we were able to wander around the shop.

The salt mine tour was good. We had to climb into coveralls (mine was too long at the legs - as usual so rolled them up). We then climbed aboard a small train - or rather straddled the seats. From there we went through the tunnels until finally we stopped for the walking leg of the tour. This involved walking through passages, sliding down 2 wooden slides (2 rails side by side which you straddled and slid down (those who didn't want to do so were given the option to walk down). Now and then our guide would stop to explain things and we, who had audio-guides listened to them - it was more or less what the guide was saying but apparently the guide was more interesting than our audio-guides because he talked more, something that Paul found out when he listened a bit because he does understand a bit of German. Towards the end of the tour we went up a steep tunnel via a funicular carriage before catching train back to the entrance to the mine. All in all it was great fun.

We hit the road again, taking a route which looked as if it would go through a lovely pass but unfortunately it was blocked to vehicles but open to walkers. So we turned around and continued our journey via a different route but more or less in the same direction of the blocked off pass.

We found a guest house (Pension Wildental - Fam Pfannhauser) for the night which also served meals. Check-in was a bit hit and miss - we waited for a while for the owner and even 'mum' went in search for her but to no avail. Eventually she appeared - she had been in the kitchen. The guest house looked lovely on the outside - I presume a former farm house. Unfortunately it was rather outdated on the inside and looked as if it needed an overhall, including the carpets. The room was clean and comfortable though. Ordering dinner was a bit hit and miss. I think the owner was almost doing things single-handedly and seemed rushed off her feet despite not too many people being around. Her husband came out with our meals looking a bit stressed. During the meal 3 people sat down at a table next to us and lit up their fags. We were not impressed and disappeared as soon as we had finished eating.

Tomorrow is another day.