Fair Gardens

Last weekend, there was a garden fair in Wels, Upper Austria. My mom and aunts had decided to go and since I really needed some time away from my computer, I tagged along. Also, I figured it would be a great way to find some inspiration for spring and take pictures.

Going anywhere with my mom and aunts, especially by train, is always bound to be awesome. Only problem was, we forgot the obligatory champagne at home (nobody cares that we actually left at 9.30 AM). Still, we managed to entertain basically the whole train...

The weather was so so. Luckily, it hadn't started raining yet by the time we got to the fair because part of the fair was outside.

There were a lot of visitors so it was wise to go in the morning to escape the big afternoon crowd.

And now I'll leave it up to the pictures to do most of the talking:

The motto of the fair: "Blooming Austria"

"The art of gardening is an art of peace."

Outside I saw a lot of amazing stuff I would LOVE to have in my own (pretend) garden:

Obviously I'd want a sauna

Getting ready for Easter

Awesome and unique chairs

Oh, to be a child again...

And inside, there was even so much more:

ARCHE NOAH is an organization whose aim it is to bring back endangered and forgotten crops. It was interesting to check out their selection of almost-forgotten varieties of apples, chilis, salads, and spices, to name but a few.
Arche Noah is also going to be in Salzburg for the opening of the botanical garden of the University of Salzburg if anybody wants to check them out.

The Siedlerverband reminded me of the fact that the simplest things are often the best (and most beautiful).

It was also inspiring to see all the garden arrangements:

And some more creative floral arrangements...

Can you spot the bottles?

4 July, maybe?

I like that this is so simple yet effective.

To end this little tour through the garden fair 2012 in Wels, this sign really made me laugh :o)

A very original "Please do not touch" sign

Sunday Walk on the Kapuzinerberg

Last Sunday I decided to go for a walk/hike on the Kapuzinerberg. I was not hungover from St. Patrick's Day, it was a beautiful day in Salzburg, and I couldn't wait to get away from my laptop for a couple of hours.  Plus, I hadn't taken a longer walk on the Kapuzinerberg in ages.

Before heading out, I checked some routes to take online and more or less stuck to this one: http://www.auf-den-berg.de/wandern/salzburg/kapuzinerberg-salzburg-wandern-in-der-stadt/

I took loads of pictures while taking in the scenery and remembering that Salzburg is a damn awesome place.
As a point of departure I chose the Linzer Gasse.

The entrance.

"Street" art.

One of the six stations of the cross on the way up.

Since it was Sunday, it was not surprising that a lot of people were going for a walk. And (unfortunately), tourists have taken back Salzburg once again.

I took the route "Franziskischlössl über Basteiweg entlang Wehrmauer".

More "street" art.

You know it's spring when you find Bärlauch on the way :)

I also saw my first butterflies of the year. The first butterflies always make me particularly happy and remind me of my childhood.

The Franziskischlössl with the Nockstein in the background.

Yodel session.

It was surprisingly warm on Sunday and since I haven't been hiking in a while, I did get my sweat on which wasn't necessarily unwelcome ;)

One of the absolute HIGHLIGHTS of this hike was the group on the picture above. I was just on my way back down when I heard people yodelling! One of the guys had actually brought his accordion. Naturally, I stuck around for a bit and even though I would not call myself a yodel fan, I certainly enjoyed the songs since they fit in so perfectly with the whole day and the surroundings. These are the moments when I absolutely love being in Austria.

All in all, I walked for about 1.5 hours with plenty of stops to take pictures. The Kapuzinerberg is definitely worth a walk, especially on such a beautiful day. I'm looking forward to seeing the hill green in the next couple of weeks and I'll probably be back soon. Even if it's just to check out the restaurant in the Franziskischlössl...