Garden ... Picnic ... Pool ...

June 5, 2016

I was up bright and early on this glorious sunny day ...

While everyone else was still sleeping ... I ventured out to the garden ...

It was wonderful to see all that has grown and ready to be picked ...

I thought a bowl full of fresh strawberries would be perfect for our morning breakfast ...

I couldn't stop ... just so much was ready to be picked ...

I kept working and gathering ripe produce ...

so involved I didn't even hear Fred enter ...

He loved my little garden ... he was quite inquisitive ...

asking questions on how it works ...

We enjoyed our breakfast on the deck ... eating fresh made waffles ...

and fresh strawberries from the garden ...

We had a relaxing day ...

then ventured down the hill to the Mayook School ...

for annual summer picnic ...

The cooks were in the cookhouse busy barbecuing hot dogs ...

hamburgers and grilled onions ...

We had a great time visiting with the neighbours ...

Fred and Michelle were welcomed into our festivities ...

and enjoyed chatting with everyone ...

 

June 6 & 7, 2016

It was already Monday ... we planned to have a day at home ...

relaxing ... swimming ... and whatever else ...

in between Fred & Michelle packing to head back to Ontario the next day ...

We had a wonderful time with our guests ...

hoping they plan to come out for a visit again ... we had so much fun ...

(I do believe they will ... !!!)

 

Bees & Butterflies ...

June 1, 2016

Our first day back from our holidays ...

the sun was shining ... it was going to be a beautiful day ...

I spent part of my morning taking pictures of the bees and butterflies ...

feeding on the lilac bush ...

the flowers were not going to be there much longer for them ...

We had a busy day ahead of us ...

the house needed to be spruced up and the lawn needed to be cut ...

We were going to have company from Ontario ...

visit with us for a few days ...

 

Our Guests Arrived ...

June 2, 3 & 4, 2016

There was no rest for us with just getting home from Austria ...

our company arrived earlier than expected this evening ...

a change of plans for them ... they had been in the area a couple days touring ...

until we were home ...

We met them in town ... as we needed to pick up a few groceries ...

and pick up our vehicle that was left at the Autobody shop for repairs ...

while we were on holidays ...

Fred and Michelle followed us home ...

as this was their first time visiting from Ontario ...

The guys were on the hunt for gophers while they BBQ'd burgers for dinner ...

Once again a wasp found Mike ...

this time stinging him on top of his foot ...

Fred was applying first aid of wrapping an icepack on it ...

 

June 3, 2016

It was beautiful day ... we decided to use the quads to give them a tour of the area ...

Fred was given instructions on how to drive the old quad ...

this was their first time on these Off-terrain vehicles ...

They fell in love with the area ... we did spot an eagle on top of the tree near ...

Opa's resting place ...

We toured all around down to the lake ... thru the crown land ... and up behind our place ...

then back to the house as the guys decided to open up the pool for the season ...

First line of business was to take the winter cover off ...

Mike and Fred went into the shop to prefab and weld a pipe ...

that would be used to roll up the cover ...

When the cover was rolled up halfway ... Mike brought out the gas powered water pump ...

to pump off the stagnant water on the cover ...

Once that was done ... the cover was removed and we began to add fresh water to the pool ...

the solar blanket was installed at that time ...

The wood furnace was also started to heat the pool water ...

once it was filled and the pump started ...

After lunch ... we decided to take them on a tour of the valley ...

stopping on Ha Ha Creek Road to take pictures of an Osprey sitting on the fencepost ...

then heading up to the Bull River gorge ... then continuing on the Galloway loop ...

arriving at the Jaffray Pub for dinner ...

After dinner we drove to Lake Koocanusa ...

to show them where we normally go fishing and also stopped at Surveyors Lake Provincial Park ...

Mike decided to take the back way home ...

from Lake Koocanusa to Wardner ...

It was a bit rough ... for Michelle & I sitting in the back sit of the truck ...

it was more than a bit ... we were getting bounced around like rag dolls ...

we were laughing so hard ... and moaning every time we hit a rut ...

We were so grateful to finally hit the paved road ...

Fred & Michelle experienced off-road driving ...

It'll be a long time before I venture on that road again ...!!!

June 4, 2016

We had another beautiful ... perfect to go fishing at Premiere Lake ...

Fred and Michelle were in awe of the beauty surrounding them ...

Even though we had our lines out ... we were not able to land a fish in the boat ...

fishing was not very good this day ... there was a change in the what they were feeding on ...

We spent most of the day on the boat ... touring ... cruising and enjoying our picnic lunch ...

On our way back home ...

we drove the back way into Kimberley ...

driving thru town and stopping at the Marysville Falls ...

It was a beautiful hike on the path to the falls ...

once again Fred & Michelle loved the outdoors here ...

so much to see and do ...

We stopped in Cranbrook ...

to go for dinner at Frank's Steak & Schnitzel Haus ...

Another first for Fred & Michell ...

to have eaten the best ever Schnitzel ...

I'm sure they will be travelling for dinner to Frankenmuth in Michigan ...

once in a while ... for a Schnitzel dinner ...

We had a wonderful day together ... lots of chatting ...

reminiscing and laughter ...

It was time to go home ...

we needed to go for a little walk after this huge meal ...

We enjoyed the evening ... visiting on the deck ...

 

Travelling Back To Canada ...

May 31, 2016

We woke up to an overcast day ...

there was going to be a chance of rain for our journey to Munich, Germany ...

as we travelled ... our minds were taking in the last sights ...

before turning into the airport ...

The rain begun to fall ...

we had checked in and were ready for our flights ...

we had planned to go for a quick bite to eat ... but decided that we would not have enough time ...

So Klaus, Resi and Tante Pauli stayed to make sure we would be picked up ...

and taken to our gate ...

We had requested assistance for Oma and myself ...

We were all waiting for someone to come along to pick us up ...

finally a transporter arrived and we were told this was only for Oma ...

and another one would come and pick Mike and I up ...

We waited for an hour ... it was getting closer to our boarding time ...

we had been up to the wicked a number of times ... to tell them we were still waiting ...

Now I was getting worried and I knew Oma was going to be beside herself that we were separated ...

She had told the them at the gate waiting area that she would not get on the flight without us ...

she was causing quite a scene ...

We finally had someone helps us out ... the manager of customer service took us personally ... to the other side of the airport ... because we only had 15 mins before our flight was loading ...

I was in a wheelchair because of my broken foot I was not able to walk that distance ...

we went thru security within a couple minutes ...

and it wasn't long before we reached our gate ...

Grateful to have been united with Oma again ... !!!!

We then boarded the plane and we had taken flight ...

looking thru the window I captured a few pictures of the land below ...

We settled down ... trying to pass the time away with watching the TV ...

reading and playing on our iPads ... as well as catching a few winks ...

I was amazed at the sight ... flying over Greenland ... totally white with ice and snow ...

We had travelled about halfway now ... getting closer to home ...

I was excited to see the mountains by Vancouver ...

we had a great landing ... made it to our next gate ... and boarded onto our next flight for home ...

It sure was nice to land in Cranbrook ...

Burk was at the airport to pick us up ... we made our way to Oma's ...

and then Mike & I drove home ...

It was another adventurous day ... !!!

 

Home ... Sweet ... Home ...

 

 

Our Last Day to Visit ...

May 30, 2016

Today we spent the morning visiting with Klaus and Resi ...

then getting some of our packing done as we were leaving for Canada the next day ...

After breakfast ... Klaus was busy drawing out the roads travelled ...

on our holiday ...

some of the routes drawn in blue were when Mike went with Klaus's on his work route ...

Resi was busy in the kitchen preparing a special lunch ...

We were going for the afternoon ...

to go visit with Tanya (Regina's daughter) and her family ...

in Vorchdorf ...

Before we left to go see Tanya ...

Resi gave me this handmade gift ... painting on the flowers ... then crocheting the lace trim ...

I can appreciate the time and love put into this towel ...

"In many kitchens in Austria ... this shelf would be hung in the kitchen ...

the used tea towels would be hung up on the hooks ...

and the long towel would be drawn in front to hide them" ...

I plan on using mine as a wall hanging ...

Tanya and Hans run the original four-corner farm ...

Hans and Tanya live on the upper storey ... of the farmhouse ...

and Hans's parents live on the main floor ...

It is a large pig farm ... that is totally automated now for feeding ...

even though it is ....

it still takes a lot of work to manage it ...

This cute little guy is Tanya and Hans's son Emil ...

he is 4 years old and full of energy ...

We were there in time to have a coffee break ... and cake ... at least the women did ...

the guys had a beer break ...

When we left the farm ... Klaus took us on a tour to Messenbach ...

showing us the house that mom (Oma) was raised in from the age of 1-13 ...

She would have to walk a few mile on the backroad ...

to get milk for the family ...

there were no other house around ... and no streetlights ...

Oma said it was scary at night when she walked those roads ...

we saw quite a bit of the countryside ... that Oma would ride her bike or walk ...

Klaus then drove back to Tante Paula's house ...

this was our last day to be visit here ...

We went back to the Seyr household ...

and enjoyed a lovely evening with some of the family that came by ...

to bid us farewell ...

It has been an extraordinary adventure ...

it's hard to believe the time had gone by so quickly ...

Hoping that we will be able to return again ... next time for a few more weeks ...

This holiday brought our family closer together ...

and a better understanding of the history ...

 

On To Horst and Roswitha's Place ...

May 29, 2016

On our travels back to the house ... Horst drove to show us the building ... which was a castle at one time ...

but was later the office for the Swoboda garage ... where dad had completed his training for the Autobody Apprenticeship ...

We then went to Burgi's (Roswitha's mother) little cottage ... on the edge of town ...

It was adorable ... this is her little getaway from town ...

she loves to go out to work in her garden ...

You can tell she spends quite a bit of time in her yard ...

Once we reached Horst's home ...

first things first ... was for Mike to help Horst hand up the swing ...

of course they had to try it out as well ...

I do believe Horst may have be asking for something to drink ...

and I think Mike was agreeing with him ...

After our full day ... we sat around relaxing and visited before our light dinner ...

of the smoked fish and fresh breads ...

Mike gave Horst a hand with preparing the fish to serve it ...

Everyone enjoyed this meal ... not too much talking going on ...

Once the dishes were cleared away ... Roswitha came out with a wrapped gift ...

I was surprised that I was the recipient of this special gift ...

As always ... I took my sweet time removing the ribbon and wrapping paper ...

I had absolutely no idea of what was inside ...

What a wonderful surprise to see a Gardener's Apron ...

with a matching hat ...

I was so touched by this sweet gesture ... they all know how much I love my garden ...

Roswitha gave me a hand with putting on the apron to model it for everyone ...

I loved it ... !!!!

Mike also received a gift ... a camouflage hat to wear when he's out in the wilderness ...

and Oma receive a beautiful shawl ...

to wrap around her when she is out in the cool nights ...

Some pictures of us with our special gifts ...

Thank you Horst and Roswitha ...

We continued sitting outside ... telling stories ...

and some of them were a little crazy ...

it was so funny listening to them translated jokes ... it was so much fun ...

for some reason the translations just do not work out ...

Happy that Christine and Christian could helps us out ... !!!

It was getting late and it was time to head out again ...

Horst and the family took us all home in the bus ...

It was an incredible ... amazing ... busy day ...

I think we were all ready for a goodnight's rest ...

Thank you Horst and Roswitha for everything ... !!!

 

Heading Back ...

May 29, 2016

Well ... after visiting the bee place ...we reached the crossroads once again ...

and I believe it was the last time we would see the dry-docked boat ...

This time heading back to Laakirchen ...

Making a stop at this little lake along the road ... Taferlklaussee ... that is known for it's frogs ...

There is a snack hut that you can stop for a break ... loved how the sign was made ...

this place is only open during the nice weather months ...

although you can hike the area all year round ...

Continuing on our way ...

we then stopped at a local fish hatchery ... and Horst introduced us to the man in charge ...

We were given a tour of the operations ...

It was an amazing place ... out in the wilderness ...

all natural canals ... the ponds were fed by the cold mountain waters ...

Horst also surprised us ... with picking up some smoked fish ...

right from the fishery ... for our dinner this evening ...

We were heading back to Laakirchen ...

not sure what was in store for the evening ...

 

It has been an incredible day of adventure ...

 

 

The Bee Farm ...

May 29, 2016

After leaving Druckerhof ... we headed back on the road ...

this time travelling along the other side of the lake ...

Arriving to the same spot from where started from at the top of the lake ...

We went thru the intersection and drove to the Bienenhof (Bee House Attersee) ...

This tour was so well laid out ...

every station had a board with both two languages on it ...

German on one side and English on the other ...

We were able to watch the bees at work in the wooden hive ...

(pictures of the inside of the hive is above) ...

We then continued walking along the path ...

gaining more and more information ...

at the end of the self directed tour ...

there were a few newer hives that you were able to check out ...

We entered the bee gift shop ...

and were told about the honey and taste a few different varieties of flavoured honey ...

There were so many items to choose from ...

everything from candy ... honey ... candles ... soap ... creams ... etc ...

We had a great time looking at everything ...

We bought a few items ... for keepsakes and gifts ...

along with some beverages to have a snack break ...

We went outside to enjoy the fresh air ...

and fresh baked goodies that Rosewitha had brought for our picnic ...

 

 

Our Secret Adventure ...

May 29, 2016

We were so excited this day ...

Horst had an adventure day planned ... no one knew where we were going ...

He had acquired a van (mini school bus) ... to take all of us on this secret journey ...

Christian and Christine came and picked us up at Klaus's house ...

and Horst went to pick up Oma and Tante Paula ...

We all met at the house ... hopped into the bus ... and we were on our way ...

We traveled out of town ...

and crossed over the Autobahn to an area ... Aurach am Hongar ...where we could see Laakirchen ...

we were able to see the paper mill in the distance ...

then we were on our way again ...

Passing thru and capturing a picture of the Church ...

Now heading towards Shorfling ...

seeing the Kammer-Schorfling Train Station ...

This is the end of the rail tracks ... on the corner across the street ...

there is a restaurant that has a dry-docked boat sitting in the yard ...

Looks like the only way to travel now was by car or bike ...

Not sure why this boat was situated there ... !!!

 

We drove along the shores of the Attersee ... to the end of the lake ...

The area is really wonderful ... loved the colours of the lake.

We then followed a steep , narrow, winding road uphill

and arrived at Druckerhof .

"Druckerhof is a house with a past. It is situated 700 m above sea-level above the town of Unterach am Attersee. The original farmhouse is made of solid wood and is family owned since 1581.

In 1955 the road was built and the Court was expanded and rebuilt in 1962. In 1993 an addition was added to the original house The Druckerhof farm is owned by the 14th generation of the Windhager family."

Everyone out of the bus ... standing in awe ...

enjoying the view and the surroundings of this restaurant ...

Druckerhof is a wonderland area ... there a lots of trails to take a walk or hike in the area ...

One trail that will lead you to Hochmoorgebiet Egelsee ... (Moorland Lake) ...

It is a raised bog Lake from the ice age. There is also a sweet chestnut forest ...

which was planted in the Roman period or the Jubilee tree from the time of Emperor Franz Josef.

Behind the house is an enclosed area for Hirsch (Elk) ...

There is also a Petting Zoo with donkeys ... goats ... rabbits and ponies for the children ...

We enjoyed a variety of dishes ... oh my goodness ... everything was so delicious ... !!!

Thank you Christian for taking all these pictures ... !!!

We sat around having a great time ...

we were blessed to have seen two Eagles ... flying high up in the sky around us ...

for me it was a sign that Dad was near ... after all it was his birthday ...

and the only other time mom was here was with Dad many years ago ...

Oma also remembered that there was a monument on the grounds ...

honouring the mother of the Windhager family ...