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Yes, it was pretty. I just found it all a bit soulless and tourist oriented.

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A doorway off Campo Santa Margarita

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Rachel wanted somewhere to run. The Lido is about the only open space in the area where you don’t need a map to find your way around.

I hung around taking photos. It was a cold, wet day, and out of peak season, so the beach houses were empty. There were several rows of these behind each other. It must be utter hell in peak times!

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Over the years, many canals in Venice have been paved over. Buildings are still charming, but it’s amazing how it changes the character.

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Gracious decay on the outside of our apartment, a bridge across the canal right outside our door took us to the nearby Campo Santa Margarita, a lively little square where locals gathered. You really know you’re in a different place!

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How amazing is Europe? A few hours on the train, and we’re in Venice! The apartment is stunning, though there were some quirks. Still, that’s Venice, really.

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a good walk deserves a good feed. This time I chose the Germknödel. A huge, fluffy dumpling, filled with delicious plum jam, and topped with poppy seeds and sugar, sitting in a puddle of melted butter.

I really should have included something that gave an idea of scale, because these are not small.

I shared!

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…and after the climb, there was the descent. First, down the steep rocky sides of the valley, then following the river into the forest. Stunning country.

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As we walked along the ridge, we came to another peak, this time at around 2,400m. The day was clearing a little and as we enjoyed the view, Franz spotted a large herd of mountain goats, at least 40, quite a surprise considering they usually are only seen in small numbers. Too far away for a decent photo.

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Walking along a ridge can be a little disorienting. A few metres either side is thin air – lots of it! Once you’ve finished admiring this beautiful mushroom, check out the river in the distant valley below 🙂

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Another day, another walk. This time it is a peak called Brand (2,283m). Not enormous, but we started from Niederthai, at 1,550m, so it was a pretty solid 700+m climb to here.

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zirbenschnaps is flavoured by these pine cones. Incredibly sticky with their fragrant sap, they’re very pretty too!