Towards Graz

Long drive day , hot,  30 plus centigrade, and our drive took us close to the Slovenian border. Some place names were in two languages. Took us a while to find the aire which was in the rear of a Fiat dealership and garage.  They kindly checked our brakes which cost us 5E beer money. Althoug hquite late in the afternoon, we cycled into Graz, dodging trams which seem to come from all directions. Found the TIC: very helpful as always, and so much to see here, we decided to stay a second day. We saw the Glockenspiel clock: figures come out of the tower and dance to music from the bells above. 

The second day, again 30 plus, interesting but frustrating day seeing Graz. Spent a while updating the website, then hit the tourist trail. The map was pinpointed with sites of interest. There is a double spiral staircase marked on the wrong place in the map: turned out to be in the middle of an old palace building now used as offices. Across the road, the cathedral, hideously ornate as usual, and the museum, shut for lunch (no change there). 

We also did the armoury luseum which they make such a big thing about: no written or audio guide in English, and no labels at all on on all four floors. It may be the largest collection in Europe, but is little more than a storeroom. There is no variation in weapon type.

But all in all, Graz was a fascinating and lively city, with many decorated buildings, and fantastic ice cream which we felt duty bound to partake of.