Winter in the Ore Mountains - a long story

... and a long story it is indeed. Firstly there are lots of photos in this blog and secondly winters are usually long in the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge). 
The Ore Mountains, a region in Saxony, Germany (Map) are also called the Christmas Land (Weihnachtsland) because it's snow safe and has pretty little towns and villages that lie in valleys and are surrounded by forests. 

Here is a selection of photos I've taken during my recent visit by my mum in Lauter. Lauter is my home town, which lies in.. can you guess... the Ore Mountains.

12 Feb 2012: 
We are on an after lunch walk through the snowed in surroundings and the town. Morning temperature -18C. Midday temperature -5C. Bearable when wearing 3 layers of clothes and staying in the sun.

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September Scotland Tour - Day 3 - Edinburgh to Fort William

7:45 am. Enjoying a coffee on the courtyard terrace at Hotel Missoni, Edinburgh. Planning the day ahead. Cid and me will be touring Scotland for a few days. We'll be going through Glen Coe passing Stirling, Callander and Crianlarich. Finding a place to stay for the night in the Fort William area.

Hotel Missoni, Courtyard.

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Scotland Tour Day 6 - Torridon to Loch Ness

Today's route takes me from Torridon to Invermorriston on Loch Ness via Applecross Peninsula, over the Bealach na Ba pass, Loch Carron and Eilean Donnan Castle.

Big day today. Applecross day! I've been looking forward to seeing Applecross (map) with it's stunning scenery and views across the outer Hebrides. The weather is perfect. For taking pictures at least. Grey moody sky and a slight drizzle.

View from my hostel in Torridon. Having coffee.

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Scotland Tour Day 5 - Inchnadamph to Torridon

Day 5 of my tour through the Scottish Highlands. Today I'm going from Inchnadamph to Torridon, via/stopping at Ardvreck Castle, Knockan Crag, Ullapool and Corrieshalloch Gorge.

7.30 am. Had a good night sleep at Inchnadamph Lodge and it feels great to step outside with a cup of coffee and seeing nothing else but beautiful landscape. And it's so quiet. Last night's heavy wind has settled and I'm now getting ready for a stroll through Inchnadamph.

Inchnadamph Lodge, Hostel and B&B.

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Scotland Tour Day 4 - Nethy Bridge to Inchnadamph

6.00 am. Lazy Duck Hostel, Nethy Bridge, Cairgorms, Highlands, Scotland

Tip toeing through the kitchen trying to find the kettle. Must not wake up the others who are still sound asleep... as kitchen, lounge and bedrooms aren't separated by proper walls... and sound travels through the whole lodge... I try and be as quiet as I can. And you know what that is like... it never works... the more you try to be quiet the more things you drop and bump into.
Can't find an electric kettle so I thought I try the microwave to boil water for my morning coffee. As soon I switched it on I realized that it was one of those fancy ones with millions of settings (not just a knob for setting the time). It reminded me that I had not selected what type of food I'm cooking and for how long and god knows what else by beeping loudly. When making my selection pushing allsorts of buttons it responded with beeps too every time you pressed one. So I gave up on that idea and reverted to my last resort, the good old fashioned water kettle on the gas hob. All went well, and quiet, until the water started to boil.

So dear cohabitants, walker's couple and Ben Howard band members, India and sisters and boyfriend: I am very sorry for waking you up at 6am on the only day you've had off in months. I sincerely apologize.

Left the hostel at 8.00 am.. by then I think almost everyone was up. I wonder why.

View from the Lazy Duck Hostel, Nethy Bridge, Cairngorms, Scotland.

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Scotland Tour Day 3 - Spittal of Glenshee to Nethy Bridge

Day 3 of my road trip through the Scottish Highlands... today is castle day. Braemar, Balmoral and Corgarff.

8.00 am. Had a great night sleep in the Eagle Room at Gulabin Lodge, Spittal of Glenshee (map). It's so quiet... and so cold.

The lodge is great. Rustic highland charm. Two very cosy lounges, great kitchen and dining room. Felt very much at home.
Had another nice conversation with Steve, whom I've met the night before. There he is... ready for a day biking and walking through the Cairngorms.

Steve at Gulabin Lodge

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