FROM SALZBURG TO DOMBURG

Leave Salzburg.
Drive 7 hours.

















Arrive Luxembourg.
Stay overnight at Hotel Stand Inn.
Play cards.
Sleep.
Wake, shower, breakfast.
Leave Luxembourg.
Drive 2.15 hours to Grimbergen, Belgium.
Check out Ardelis, Leonidas, Bakkerijderouck and purchase some fine Belgian chocolate.

















Drive 1.5 hours to Domburg, Holland.
Check into Hotel Vierwegen.
Stay here for 2 nights.
Few more photos here.

BAVARIAN MOUNTAINS, SALT MINE TOUR, BERCHTESGADEN

This afternoon we took a Salzburg Panorama Tour through the Bavarian Mountains















via the Alpenstrasse travelling parallel to the King's Lake River to the Obersalzberg where we could see Eagle's Nest, Hitler's former Conference Centre.

We then toured the over 450 year old Salt Mines wearing traditional miners' clothing and using the same slides as hundreds of miners before, we descended into the grottos.

Afterwards there was a short visit to Berchtesgaden where we walked around the village until we got too cold, then warmed up in a cafe with hot chocolate and cake.

More photos here.

THE REST OF CHRISTMAS DAY SALZBURG 2010

Nibblies ready















Grog on snow
















Take your places

Get ready to play hearts

It's been lightly snowing at minus 4 degrees all day making for the perfect white Christmas. The only thing that could make it even more perfect is having our families here to celebrate with us :(. We've missed you all on this special day but next year will be HUGE! After the card game of which the usual up himself won the usual took place, naps and dvd (Rocky got a re-run) resting time.

And then dinner - who's heard of pizza for Christmas dinner? There's always a first for everything. Second game of cards, this time 500, about to take place before ticking Christmas Day Salzburg 2010 off the list.

Photos here.

CHRISTMAS MORNING SALZBURG 2010

We were up around 6.50 am. Santa had been and we couldn't wait to open the presents.

Jayden got what he asked Santa in Finland for, Harry Potter Nintendo DS game




















Some very special nutcracker soldiers

Sofie, a beautiful musical jewellery box

And her very own, first ever, mobile phone, which has been delivered to the Telstra shop in Australia for her upon returning.

Jason got the shirt to prove Nuremberg and bier

And got a laugh out of some boxer shorts, plus his Car

We've been for breaky, made phone calls, the boys have just cracked their first beer at 10.45 am and the cards are being dealt, with Christmas treats nearby.

More present photos here.

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER

Whilst you, at home, are probably up on Christmas Day and opening or already opened presents, we've been out to a special pre-organised Christmas Eve Dinner. Christmas is mostly celebrated here on Christmas Eve not Christmas Day so we celebrated Austrian style tonight and will celebrate Australian style tomorrow :).

We were booked into the Gabler Brau Restaurant for Christmas Eve Dinner at 50 euro/head. Sofie was half price and Jayden ordered from the kids menu.


















First of all it was "prost" all round.

Assorted starters

Sherry soup with roulade

A choice of filet of char in chervil butter, saffron risotto and almond broccoli or veal steak in morel sauce, home made noodles and vegetables. Sofie ordered the steak, the rest of us the fish.

An assortment of desserts from the buffet

And Christmas cookies

Merry Christmas to everyone from Dave, Sofie, Jayden, Shelley and Jason xxxxxx

More photos here :)

FETUNG HOHENSALZBURG

Whilst myself and the two littles ones had more important things to do today like watching dvd's, hairdying and handwashing in the bathtub Dave and Jason went off to Festung Hohensalzburg. This is simply the German word for high Salzburg fortress, another large medieval fortress in Europe.

Another interesting history lesson.

Some more pics here.

ICE SKATING

Well, the ice skating went well. Jason didn't break his leg. In fact he didn't even have a go. Instead he sat with his Mummy and had great conversation.

Even though Sofie had done it before it took her a bit to get back into it with the ice being very slippery. Jayden, on the other hand, was a brave little soldier continually getting back up after falling over and ending up soaking wet. See funny video here.

Good night, sweet dreams to you all as you go to sleep on Christmas Eve there. Here's hoping you've been good (or very bad ;) and Santa pays you a visit. It's Christmas Eve morning here and we've not long got back from breakfast and starting our day (10.30 am).