The Grossglockner Pass – Austria

Up early this morning, thankfully before the knock on the door at 7:45am. “You cannot park here – you need to move as you are taking up three spaces. Your van is over 7 metres so you can park over there in the dedicated spot.” Ah, ok then, thank you. Really funny as the whole carpark with about 50 spaces was empty. We left just before 8am when parking becomes chargeable – didn’t want ‘Jobsworth’ to have to revisit! It felt sooo cold as we set off towards Lienz – one degree! Reduced rate for cars over the pass as its late in the season. It was a fantastic drive over the snow capped mountains on really good road. The Grossglockner itself and the Pasterze glacier were stunning. Rufus was totally disinterested- think he was tired today and wasn’t over enamoured with the altitude. The highest part for us was at the Edelweiss-Spitze 2571m with a panoramic view of 30 odd mountains all over 3000m. Although the final part of the cobbled road was closed, we managed to walk up to the top with much huffing and puffing. I then decided it was really hot, not really cold! At the top, the gourmet master chef Bramley himself was heard to remark “I thought there’d be somewhere selling chips and gluewein up here”. He had to make do with dry bread, cheese and tomatoes again when we got back down. Once we were off the pass we had to get the book out to check on warning lights, and after a phone call with Pete our trusty mechanic, we think the van will limp by for the next couple of weeks till we get back. Now parked near a gorge in Kaprun, but sadly it’s closed for the season.