Friday thought #67 Spring has arrived and everyone is smiling

I hate to say it in April, but winter in the Alps is well and truly over, and has been for a while. The last few weeks in Innsbruck have seen temperatures as high as 25 degrees C, the cows and horses are back in the meadows, and rock climbing, via ferratas, hiking and running are very much back on the agenda.

Despite the fact that it feels like summer, this is my first Spring in Austria and I love the feel of the city as the seasons start to change. Being a university city, it’s no surprise to see the students out in force as the weather becomes warmer, but the sight of the neverending line of people sitting along the banks on the river Inn next to the university still made me stop, get off my bike and marvel at the power of the sunshine.

The mere presence of the sun means that everyone is happy and relaxed. Stress is forgotten, people suddenly have more free time and want to be outside; having barbecues, playing frisbee, or simply socialising out in the sun.

Here’s to a long summer of enjoying the outdoors x

A river and sunshine, an unbeatable combination
A river, mountains and sunshine, an unbeatable combination

IMG_20160421_182302

An alpine meadow with cows grazing. It's amazing how happy it can make you feel...
A simple alpine meadow with cows aimlessly grazing. It’s amazing how happy it can make you feel…

 

Friday thought #57 December…and we’re still rock climbing…!

I continue to marvel about how the good weather just keeps on coming in Innsbruck, and there are still no signs of it letting up in the near future. Despite starting to get a little concerned about whether winter will ever arrive, we’re thoroughly making the most of this unprecedented sunshine and, having discovered a superb little climbing area just 20 minutes drive from Innsbruck, have now been 3 times over the last 1o days! With a 5 minute walk in, enough sectors to keep you occupied for weeks, and grades from super easy to far too difficult (!), Arzbergklamm near Telfs has proved to be a brilliant find. Even now in mid-December it still holds the sun until after 1pm, and we have yet to see another person there. Stunning views, fun climbing and even a picturesque river running down the middle of the gorge. What more can you ask for?!

We had this crag completely to ourselves, not a single soul to be seen all day...
We had this crag completely to ourselves, not a single soul to be seen all day…
Super fun climbing, and in t.shirts!
Super fun climbing, in t.shirts!
The beautiful, secluded gorge above Telfs
The beautiful, secluded gorge above Telfs
Sunset, need I say more?
Sunset, need I say more?