Our last day here today, so we had a leisurely one in deference to having to pack everything up and booked a table at the restaurant for the evening meal so a clean bbq could go in the car. It was a truly glorious day weather-wise, with deep blue skies and not a cloud in sight.




 We decided to go a few miles down the road to visit a cave system called Lamprechtshohle; research told us that it did not contain stalactites & stalagmites, but did have underground waterfalls and a lake. And they were quite right – it is an impressive system, the deepest in the world until 2005 when it was overtaken by the discovery of one in Georgia (ex-Russia, not the US state).




 It was slightly disappointing in the fact that all the walkways were manufactured, but when you consider that there are 300 steps, it couldn't be any other way. Those steps were quite a challenge, as were the low rock tunnels which made you bend your head to get through. There are 2 possible morals in what happened whilst I crept through those tunnels with my sunglasses on my head: 1. Wearing them helps to protect the skull from damage when you stand up too quickly and 2. Wearing them is a bad idea as they get deep scratches on the lenses.....I learned a salutary lesson here.


 The walkways and steps wound their way up through the cave in zig-zag fashion – rather daunting looking up, but like fairyland when you panted your way to the top and looked down, as some parts were lit & looking all twinkly. I could picture the 7 dwarves hi-ho-ing their way through here. We spotted some old graffiti on the walls in the large chamber, Including some from 1883 and still legible today. Vandals are nothing new, then!
 



 The waterfalls were extremely loud, more noise than spectacle really, but still interesting to see. When we eventually made our way out, the difference in temperature was really striking: 7° inside and 27° outside – it was like stepping into a warm bath.


  We went back home for lunch and spent a chilled (or rather sweaty!) afternoon sending emails and putting things away ready for tomorrow’s journey. Tea was at the camp restaurant, and another excellent meal: I had Schnitzel stuffed with ham and cheese and Hubby had the Grubhof Grill, a large plate with beef, pork, sausage & bacon. Believe it or not, we both managed an apple strudel for dessert – well, it would be rude not to when in Austria!