TUESDAY At 10.15 a.m. on Ely Station, some of the School party bound for Austria boarded the London train. The remainder of the party joined us at Cambridge. After crossing London the by Underground, we travelled to Dover by train and then on to Ostend by boat. Boarding the Trans-European Express, we settled down to the `comforts' of the train journey ahead of us. Unfortunately we travelled down the Rhine valley at night on both journeys and so missed it. However, several endurance records were set up during the night.
WEDNESDAY We crossed Germany, passing through such places as Düsseldorf, Bonn, and Stuttgart. We were supposed to have breakfast at 7.30 a.m. (it arrived at 11 a.m.). Feeling the effects of nineteen hours on one train, we arrived at Spittal an der Drau in the evening and were conducted to our hotel.
THURSDAY The morning was spent in acquainting ourselves with the town. In the afternoon we were taken by coach via Gmünd to the GöBach Valley where we had a stiff but fruitless walk in search of a waterfall. We then travelled back to Gmünd to see the four gates of the town and returned to Hotel Salzburg by coach.
FRIDAY After a coach trip via Villach we ascended by cable-railway and two chair-lifts to a height of 1,900 metres. We went on to Klagenfurt which was christened by some "City of Smells", and Faakersee, a lake on which rowing boats were hired.
SATURDAY The morning was spent in shopping. In the afternoon we went by coach to another lake. The coach driver showed his sense of humour by hiding a camera and also his excellent driving ability, negotiating hairpin bends with comparative ease.
SUNDAY Mr. Bozeat, Mr. Askem and three boys visited Salzburg. This proved to be one of the and [sic - best?] outings - with visits to the castle, cathedral and other notable buildings including Mozart's house. The more energetic of the party walked up a mountain with a view to beating the standard time. With Mr. Hart setting the pace, this was easily accomplished. The others went to see the local football stars(?) - Spittal lost all four matches.
MONDAY We travelled by coach to the border where after rigorous passport and Customs inspections we were finally let in to Yugoslavia. We arrived at Lake Bled to visit the castle and the island which was reached by rowing boat. We returned to Austria in the afternoon and visited Villach.
TUESDAY The day was devoted to final shopping in Spittal and Villach.
WEDNESDAY This was the day of departure. We left Hotel Salzburg at 1 p.m. and returned home by the same route as on our outward journey. Again the endurance records were broken and rebroken.
THURSDAY We were travelling all day and arrived safely home at about 7 p.m. We would now like to take the opportunity to thank Mr. Hart, Mr. Bozeat and Mr. Askem for making this visit to Austria such a splendid and enjoyable one.
G.C.P., V Science.
From the Soham Grammarian Summer 1961 - If you can add anecdotes or photos about this trip, please contact the editor.