Rainy day in Austria

We woke up to rain this morning, but decided to go to Werfen, anyway in hopes the front would pass through before we got there.  As luck would have it, it did.  We only had a small amount to deal with.  Werfen is the site of Howenwerfen.  Mike first saw the medieval castle in the film, Where Eagle Dare.

The train station in Werfen is small and there information center is strictly pamphlets written in German.  A very nice lady explained how we should go to get to the castle.  She said it is a very nice 15 minute walk.  I think she had to have been a marathon walker, it is that or I am feeling my age.  

On the way there we crossed over a river and saw a whole group of white water rafters going in the water.  I would not want to fall in that water.  Bet it was pretty cold.

That is the castle way up there on that hill.  We had to walk through the town and along the highway for a short way.  We took the cable car straight up the last steep part.

See that bell tower on the left side of the castle.  We'll we got up front and personal with that bell.  Included in the ticket price is a tour.  The guide only speaks German, but they have audio devices for other languages.  The higher you go, the tighter areas you go through.  You are either stepping over big timbers or ducking your head.  This is the top of the bell tower.  You come up one side, walk around the edge and go down the othe side through a narrow opening.  It reminded be of the outside cellar entrance at my grandfather's house.  You can't see the bell in this picture, but it is right over your head.  The guide decided to ring the bell just as I was going down the stairs.  I am lucky I had a good grip on the rail.   

Here is the bell.  It weighs 3 tons.

Here are some shots from the top and some inside pictures.

This is the falconry .

They still have a live bird there.