Hall in Tirol

By the time we had finished our first supply shop we were pretty knackered. The stress of the past few days had taken its toll, so by early afternoon we unashamedly abandoned plans to sightsee Innsbruck and headed out of town to locate a camp ground for a bit of rnr. The gps suggested Swimmingbad Camp in nearby Hall of Tirol. It was only 2:30 when we arrived and the office was closed until 5 but others who looked well ensconced assured us to come on in.

It was a pretty spot, surrounded by trees, lots of birdsong, snow capped alps on 2 sides, ringing church bells, the sweet smell of cows (and maybe silage), and the plonk plonk plonk of the neighbouring tennis courts. We took time to just unwind, do some laundry, get familiar with the beast, and rest. 

Made friends with neighbouring Germans who assisted to get the water heater and gas setting on the fridge working. 

It was 27 degrees, but sadly the massive pool complex wasn't open for the season yet. Once the evening cooled down we took a walk up the winding narrow road behind us, and came upon delight after delight. Sweet alpine homes, gardens bloomin with tulips, lilacs and peonies about to burst into bud, and all backed by snowy peaks. The local church had a nunnery beside it, and as we climbed higher I was sure I could hear angelic sounds of nuns singing. As we approached the building emitting the music I realised it wasn't the sound of saints singing praises in a foreign tongue, but instead I recognised Dr Hook singing Sylvia's Mother. We found a gap in the boards and peered in to a scene of peace and calm, cows with their tails swinging, and milking pumps gently humming. 

When our new German friends returned from dinner we were invited over for wine and chat, but we were just too exhausted and so retired for an early night. 

The next morning we were truly ready to see the sights, and spent half the day wandering the streets of Hall, ooh-ing and aah-ing at he most amazing sights of the old town.