Day 9-Layover day in Bad Ischl and a run in with a black cat

Today was a day off from the bikes, not because we needed a day off, but because we devoted the day to finally getting to Mahler's composing cottage in Steinbach am Attersee...the trip we were supposed to do on Day 3, but the Attersee ferry wasn't running due to the flooding.  

It was a little tricky getting to Steinbach, a true test of our navigation skills and our ability to communicate.  Since the bus route to Steinbach from Bad Ischl was cancelled last year, our hotel phoned the bus company to tell them that we wished to travel to the town.  The bus company then arranged for a “mini-bus” for a transfer.  We were told to meet the driver at the train station in an hour.  

We found the train station and were able to spot the correct driver, only to be told that she could only take us as far as Weissenbach, a town on the lake about 5km from where we needed to go.  In addition, because there was not an actual route, we had to tell her which of the offered return times we would prefer...from Weissenbach, not Steinbach!  We arranged for a 14:13 return from Weissenbach, trusting that we would somehow make it back there from Steinbach in time.  She ended up dropping us off in Steinbach, but the actual place we were going ended up being in the next town north, Seefeld, so we walked about 1.5km to get to the hotel to get the key to go to the composing cottage.  I’m getting worn out just trying to describe all of this!  As we walked into the town of Seefeld we noticed a campground along the shore.  I joked that I didn’t realize that his composing cottage was a trailer!  We later discovered that his composing cottage is, in fact, now surrounded by a trailer park!

Things were going just fine...we walked out to the cottage to make sure we had the correct place before returning to the nearby hotel to get the key.  However, on the return trip to the hotel to get the key, a black cat crossed our path.  I had no real problem with this.  However, Rick is quite superstitious about certain things, and at the top of the list is a black cat crossing his path!

We made it to the cottage with the key and were greeted by sounds of Mahler as we opened the door.  It was as if the spirit of Mahler was greeting us!  We took in the amazingly small space with the beautiful view that inspired him as he wrote his second and third symphonies.  As is true with all of the historical places we have been lucky enough to visit, I was amazed by the experience of standing in the spot where I know historical events took place.  It is a remarkable feeling to know that Mahler was standing in the same spot over 100 years ago!

We left the cottage to return the key and Rick continued to speak of his issue with the black cat.  I told him that perhaps the fact that I had left the battery for my camera in the hotel room was the bad event that was going to take place because of the said crossing of our path.  He refused to submit to my theory and insisted that something bad was going to happen and that we were cursed until we slept for the night.  I told him that perhaps we should go back and take a nap!  He didn’t find it funny.

We decided to walk the 6+km back to Weissenbach because the bus service from Seefeld to Weissenbach seemed a bit sporadic.  This was not a problem at first, however, as we walked out of the town for a few km, we found that the sidewalk ends (sort of like the poem!) and we had to walk along the very narrow, curving road.  And what do you suppose happened right as we were leaving the sidewalk?  Rick took a misstep and ended up turning his ankle!  I didn’t say anything at the time, but in my mind I was thinking, “well, at least we have our curse out of the way!” Luckily, he was able to press forward and we completed our walk and made it back to Weissenbach to meet our driver who took us back to Bad Ischl.  He has some interesting video of the “bus” ride back.  I’ll let you know when we get the videos all ready to post.  You won’t want to miss it!

Tomorrow we will ride from Bad Ischl to Strobl.  It is a short ride, but it is also supposed to rain tomorrow, so if it has to rain, at least it is on our shortest ride!

Here are some photos from our adventure today:

Some photos for Melissa...I was thinking of you when I saw this yarn store!

The plaque for Anton Bruckner at St. Nikolaus church in Bad Ischl

The foreign version of the car that Rick had when we first met...a Honda CRX.  His was red, but just as sporty!  That must have been what first brought us together!

At the train station, hoping that we are in the right spot to meet our driver.

The driver leaving us in Steinbach.  We hoped that she was telling the truth when she said that she would be back to pick us up at 14.13!

The church overlooking Seefeld.

The campground where Mahler composed...

ok, so really it was in this cottage, but the cottage was surrounded by campers!

Unlocking the magic!

His piano

and the view from the piano.

Signing the guest book

The hotel that maintains the cottage (and the campground).

Part of the view on our walk back to Weissenbach.

School children were walking home for lunch along a path on a hill above us.  I think that they were quite surprised to see tourists in their town!  They yelled to us and waved.

Rick and the falling rock sign along the path.

The rocks that might potentially fall!

Back in Weissenbach in time for our bus!

One of the little cottages that we passed.  The workmanship is remarkable!  I can't imagine how much this would cost!

Happy to have finally met up with Mahler!

Rick's view from the bus on our way back to Bad Ischl

A little shack that is for sale near the Zauner Cafe

We stopped by the Zauner Cafe because we've heard such wonderful reviews of the apple strudel, only to discover a quartet of 2 violins, piano and bassoon playing!  After the performance I was able to speak with the members of the quartet, using my rusty German and their limited English.  It was great to meet a fellow bassoonist on the other side of the world!  (By the way, the cafe was all out of strudel for today, so we are going to have to stop on our way out of town tomorrow!)

Elise, this could be the solution to your issues with Connor and his ketchup on chips!