BACK AT LAST

 

Hello from the Red Cardinal nest.  I hope you all are well.

I know, it has been a long break from blogging.

We had the most marvelous trip to Europe in April for the Easter Music Festivals in Salzburg, Munich and Baden Baden.

Our flight from Brisbane to Dubai, over 14 hours, went very smoothly and I managed to sleep for seven hours. 

I then watched the film Conclave, not knowing that in a few weeks a new conclave would be held in Rome, and a new Pope would be appointed.

We spent 24 hours in Dubai to rest and re-set our body clocks.  Our hotel overlooked the famous Dubai Creek where we watched busy little Arab boats come and go.

Palm trees decorated the foyer...

Then it was off to Europe, a much shorter six hour flight to Munich.

It was a great relief to see our pre-arranged driver waiting, with a sign just for us.  We then enjoyed a very comfortable two-hour drive to Salzburg.  The autobahn followed the Alps all the way, the first time we have seen them.  Bright green meadows lined the road, then the snow-capped Alps reared straight up behind the cute little farms.

I loved Salzburg.  Our hotel was situated on the main shopping street, and faced the river at the back.  It was a very historic building, with quaint little inner courtyards, unexpected staircases and large rooms, and it was very comfortable.

A few yards away was a house where Schubert lived...

and a little further, Mozart's childhood home.

Of course, we had to take the horse-and-carriage City Tour..

Mozart: Salzburg's most famous son...

Up on the fort overlooking the city which appears many times in the background of the movie 'The Sound of Music'..

After two days exploring, we were joined by the other members of our Music Tour group, and we enjoyed a welcome dinner at the hotel.  We were a small group of 15 music lovers from Australia, with a tour leader and manager.

Day tours included visiting Mozart's house where we inspected the fascinating original manuscripts of hundreds of his compositions including from childhood.  We also saw his piano and violin, and other memorabilia.  

And then it was time for the concerts to begin:

Here I am in the late afternoon arriving at the Grosses Festspielhaus for our first Opera: Mussorgsky's Khovanshchina. 

I have some other news to tell.

On return from our journey, we have decided to sell our Red Cardinal nest.

Our lovely home has become too difficult for us to look after in our advancing years, and we are looking for another house, closer to amenities and services, on one level and with a much smaller garden.

It will be sad, but we know the time is right.

I have been extremely busy turning out my cupboards, looking at other properties, and generally getting ready to sell.  We will have a big garage sale in a few weeks and will keep only what is necessary and important in our lives, and what brings us joy.

I will try to get around to your blogs whenever I get a little rest time.

Keep well and enjoy the season.

XXXXX