Prague Oct 9

Going home.  We got up at 5 am and caught the 7:10 am Austrian Airlines plane to Frankfurt where we changed to a Condor flight to Toronto.  The Austrian flight was pretty much what I expected and the Condor flight was an unknown to me.  For a variety of reasons, I thought that it could be a bit limited and was prepared for a less than optimum ride to Toronto.  The fact that they boarded us from the dingiest downstairs area of the Frankfurt airport suggested cost cutting, which was further supported by their bussing to the aircraft so that we could walk across the tarmac and up some stairs into the aeroplane. Then I got a pleasant surprise.  The seating was the best that we have seen in economy class as the seats were wider and had more legroom than the competition.  This resulted in a very nice flight to Toronto.  Clearing customs, getting our luggage and shuttle to our car was simple and without problems.  Before leaving, I had downloaded a coupon from Parkn'Fly that cut our one month parking rate from $375 to $100.  We stopped in Scarborough to visit Auntie Eiko and were home by about 8 pm.
This is the last entry for this trip.

Last day in Vienna. After checking out of our hotel we continued our walk around Old Vienna. On the way we stopped at a subway station to buy transportation to and from the airport; we are staying there tonight because we have an early flight on  Sunday morning. We found the best option for the three trips between the city and the airport. We got senior day passes that are valid on the full Vienna and area trains, trams and subway for  €6.80 each. Around noon we went to the airport and checked in at Austrian Airlines and then the hotel. After a shower and a nap we returned to the city for dinner and a ballet at the Vienna Opera House. The dancers displayed their skill and athletic ability as expected.  The star of the show was the building itself.  Susie is in green waving from our loge seats.  We had the front two with a wide railing to lean on during the performance; the seats were as good as it gets.

Prague Oct 8

Last day in Vienna. After checking out of our hotel we continued our walk around Old Vienna. On the way we stopped at a subway station to buy transportation to and from the airport; we are staying there tonight because we have an early flight on  Sunday morning. We found the best option for the three trips between the city and the airport. We got senior day passes that are valid on the full Vienna and area trains, trams and subway for  €6.80 each. Around noon we went to the airport and checked in at Austrian Airlines and then the hotel. After a shower and a nap we returned to the city for dinner and a ballet at the Vienna Opera House. The dancers displayed their skill and athletic ability as expected.  The star of the show was the building itself.  Susie is in green waving from our loge seats.  We had the front two with a wide railing to lean on during the performance; the seats were as good as it gets.

Prague Oct 7

Today was the day to relax in Vienna. We st by att a training session of the Lippizan stallions.  Apparently it takes 6 to 8 years of training before they are used in a regular performance.  During this time their coats change from dark grey to white.  After that we spent time just looking at the grand old buildings and parks.

Prague Oct 6

Last day of walking.  I don't know whether to be happy or sad about the last day of walking. It's nice to know that I don't have to book any more hotels but it's a bit sad to know that our trekking is done.  Nevertheless today was a good day for walking through the farm land and examining all the crops.  We saw a lot of sugar beets in the ground, piled up at the train yard and traveling in train cars. There were also lots of sunflower, corn and pumpkins.  We walked into Stockerau around 2pm and 4 minutes after entire the  train station we were boarded and on the way to Vienna.  Later we walked into old Vienna which gave us a chance to acquaint ourselves with the city and have a good meal at restaurant that was highly recommended on Trip Advisor.

Prague Oct 5

Austria now.  We were a bit surprised to learn that today would quite cool with the high in a single digit. Thus it was the first day that I had my jacket off for only an hour or so.  We were not able to get a trail map for the leg into Vienna so we had to do with our road map and Google map. This worked pretty well although we ended up walking through some vineyards  in order to get to a marked road. The remarkable views today were of much flatter terrain,  large vineyards, sugar beets, corn and walnuts on the roads.  Sometimes we would just step on a walnut to crack the shell then pick out the nut meat. Tonight we are in a guest house attached to a riding stable.

Prague Oct 4

Last day in Czechia.  We woke  up to the sound of rain Hitting our hotel window.  By the time we got on the road the rain had slower considerably making walking quite pleasant. Nevertheless we appreciated getting to the Austrian border where we got a very good hotel. In the evening we had a nice sauna. What we haven't been able to get yet is information on the walking route into Vienna.  It looks like we'll have to wing it.  Much to our surprise the town next to the Austrian border is a destination shopping place.  As such it is full of outlet stores and a huge menagerie of Asian stall. For better or for worse we can't carry more so we couldn't buy anything.

Prague Oct 3

Stymied today.  We couldn't find any accommodations one day's walk from Slavonice so we had to bite the bullet and take a bus far enough to continue walking towards Vienna.  This resulted in a decision to go to Znojmo.  When we compared the on line information with the schedule posted at the bus stop, there was a discrepancy.  For the information office straightened things out for us.  We had to take 3 different buses from 2 different bus lines.  It was an experience.  Tomorrow we will either stay just inside Czechia or walk into Austria.

Prague Oct 2

Today was su to be a rainy day so we start ed with our umbrellas in hand. The forecast was right as it spit on us periodically all day. The benefit of a day like this is not having to wear a hat and not sweating. The highlight of the day was seeing remnants of World War Il. We visited a bunker and were able to go inside.  Subsequently we over a dozen more.  We also saw border fencing with its abundance of barbed wire.  We checked into our hotel early with the intention of missing the rain that was predicted to arrive this evening.

Another thing that we saw today was a free standing beer machine

Prague Oct 1

Austrian border.  Today was pretty uneventful after yesterday.  After leaving the penzion we went to a bookstore and acquired a map of Austria.  The walk today was really pleasant as the trails took us through well forested areas.  I was surprised that we didn't see more apples by the roads or trails today. Most interesting were the Czech people. A number of them asked about us and what we were doing. When we arrived in Nova Bystrice we asked for our penzion and a fellow from Prague took us to the shop that managed it.  As the room was not ready we went for dinner.  When we were eating the same fellow found us and told us that his penzion could take us if we wanted. He even offered to drive into town and get us. The people here have been so helpful.

In the afternoon our path took us 200m from the Austrian border so we made a side trip into Austria. It required us to cross a stream on somewhat precarious stones. Now we have to decide where to cross into Austria in order to make our way into Vienna. We already have tickets for the balle in the family opera house.