Relaxing in an Austrian hotel room this evening and preparing for tomorrow’s trip into The Stubai mountains. Having just eaten a substantial meal and drunk a few local beers in a local brewery/restaurant we were ready for anything.

We are myself, B the rock man and H the pieman, veterans of many a backpacking trip over the years. The hotel, to give them a mention, is The Golden Krone in Innsbruck and the room a cheapish triple. We had met up at Manchester airport this morning for a comfortable flight with Singapore Airlines to Munich. I had relaxed on the flight using the seat-back entertainment console to listen to some jazz classics – the choice was endless. Efficient  German trains transported us to Innsbruck in just over two hours, notice the local ‘lederhosen’ …..  The hotel was well located between the station and the old town. One had to be attentive on the streets to avoid being run down by the bendy trams and numerous cyclists. Calling into a cafe for a coffee we were surprised to find people smoking – there appear to still be premises where this is allowed and this is signed on the door. Innsbruck was busy with tourists admiring the architecture and mountain views. We followed suit and wandered into the streets of the old town. Lots of decorated Imperial mansions and towers. Back at the hotel we emptied B’s rucksack and declared several items superfluous thus saving him a few kilos carry, these were deposited in the hotel until our hopeful return.

Sweet ‘apple strudel’ dreams.