SUNDAY

Sunday in Vienna,  where they still keep the shops closed.  Cafes are for the most part open as people still get out and about.

Meeting up in St Stephans plaza I got there in time to see the first communicants lining up to enter as part of the processional at the start of Mass.  A wonderful carillon of bells, then time to go in. We didn't stay for Mass.

We are now a group and as such had a very pleasant stroll around town which would have been an orientation walk but most of us had already been here for a few days.  It was good to walk with someone leading us who knew a bit about things we came across rather than ambling on our own and wondering why things like the plague memorial were for.

We ended up at the Opera House where we went our separate ways agreeing to meet up for dinner.  Coffee and a cake Rob cannot stop raving about at the Opera cafe (a Hollander cake, coffee cream centre, meringue top, delicious - one between the two of us).  I felt that I could handle another gallery so we went to the Albertina to see the Monet, Picassos, Degas, and so much more. Their permanent display is title From Monet to Picasso and is very well set out. A temporary exhibition of more modern work by Elaine Sturvesant who thought that using only her surname immediately made her level with her male counterparts led to some interesting discussion. Just how creative is it to duplicate other artists' work and call it appropriation? And when some of those artists (incl Warhol, Lichtenstein) have already appropriated images what does it all mean?

A lighter expedition is in order - the Prater fairgrounds to have a look at the giant ferris wheel, not to ride it however. As it was yet another beautiful sunny spring day the Prater was crowded. I imagine that it could be a bit of a crush at the height of summer.  The old ferris wheel looks wonderful, with its big cabins reminiscent of ski lift cabins, but I was unprepared for the size of the park.  It is bigger than the Royal Show! And has a beer garden, or two, or three. We had ice cream., not at the beer garden.

Met our new best friends at the hotel and headed out..only slightly in the wrong direction after getting off the train a stop early.  We all seem to have the same attitude, you are never quite lost just working it out as you go so we got there.  Only one call from team leader to see where we were. He left us to it. Goulash tonight for me,  trout for Rob. Another stroll, cake and coffee en route to the right station and that's the end of the Viennese journey.

It has been very enjoyable getting to know our fellow travellers and I for one am looking forward to seeing the sights with them. Plus there is a bike ride in the next town. YAY.  I have checked my own bicycle's postage journey and it is in Coventry. At least it has made most of its trip, I just hope unscathed.  Soon find out.