Always take the weather with you (and a brolly)

This morning’s forecast persuaded us to have a bit of a lie in …

Despite this grim prognosis, it was still dry at 11:00 so we got the bus down to Innsbruck. Ate our sarnies by the river as clouds thickened, then dashed into a coffee house as the heavens opened. But 10 minutes, one hot chocolate, an oat milk coffee and a slab of carrot cake later, everything seemed brighter – including the skies.

Hötting Up

We walked round Hötting , the older residential area north of the river, and yet more steep inclines. A plaque about earthquake destruction in 1689 gave a clue as to why so many of the older buildings in Innsbruck seemed designed to repel heavy artillery attacks. I’d noticed heavy , sloping buttresses at the base of walls in the old town – presumably this risk explains why.

Interesting that they thought inserting a cannonball into someone’s external wall was a sign of appreciation…. Not every homeowner would welcome it, would they ?  ” Oi – I’ve just spent a week pebble-dashing that !”

From here we had misty views south across the city, and the Patscherkofel peak we walked the day before was dimly visible.

Stroll around the Imperial Gardens, then got thirsty.

A Round ? The Old Oak Tree !

Popped in to Zur Eiche ( Oak Tree) Bier Garten for a scientific testing session. After an alcohol-free week, the taste buds are primed for action. Time to tie a yellow ribbon on the best beer.

Right to left : regular light Hell, cloudy Zwickelbier, Spanish Galicia Cerveza Special …and local Tyrol Dunkel

Hell – inoffensive lager – your standard party pint.

Zwickelbier – this is a Bavarian style, a young lager taken from the barrel before filtration  – had a fresh,  pale ale-ish flavour. New one on me, and my favourite of the four.

Spanish crep – it’s like producing paella in Rotherham – why bother ? Wooden spoon award, 2026.

Dunkel – malty, smooth, a little bit sweet but grew on me. Kind of Old Peculaustria.

( other opinions are available)