Friday 26th September 2008 – Zell am Ziller, Tyrol, Austria

The weather was definitely better this morning although it had rained during the night and we were unlikely to get away with a totally dry day. We decided that a visit to Mayrhofen, just a few kilometres up the valley, was in order. We wanted to go on the train but didn't know the train times so we took the five minute walk into the centre and discovered that the next normal train was in three quarters of an hour. There was also a steam train in half an hour but, being three times the price, we decided against that. However, we wanted to see the train so, after a further exploration of the town, we returned to the station at the appointed hour. It was late and, when it arrived, we were glad that we hadn't booked a seat. The train was very long and almost all of the coaches were reserved for groups. If we had travelled on it, we would have been right at the back and would not have really been aware that it was a steam loco.
It was a pretty journey to Mayrhofen and we then walked into the town. It is a large ski resort and is also popular with Summer coach trips. After the compactness and rural nature of Zell, it was a bit of a shock being full of hotels, restaurants and tourist shops. We were particularly impressed by the arty craft shop that was selling a dried cow pat for €29.90 (£24) – perhaps this a business opportunity when I return to Somerset as there is plenty of raw material there and it is available at a very reasonable cost. The scenery around was however spectacular and the large cable cars could be used to explore, or ski, high up in the surrounding mountains.
After an excellent cake and coffee looking and the mountains and one of the cable cars, we explored the outskirts of the town and then, with it starting to drizzle, headed back to the station.
In the evening we went to see the Zell am Ziller Town Band playing their final concert of the season. We arrived when they were playing the 'Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves', one of my favourite classical pieces. They were very good and one of the most interesting pieces that they played the Adagio from the Concerto de Aranjuez by Rodrigo. I had only ever heard this played on a Spanish guitar but it worked very well with a brass band.
Photos: The Ziller Valley steam train leaving Mayrhofen; The Zell am Ziller Town Band.