Danube Dabble

Our drive from Salzburg to Vienna allowed for time to leave the motorway in search of lunch. So we found the small town of Ybbs on the bank of the River Danube. Sadly it looked far from blue in the grey weather.

After a short walk through the old town, we found a cafe by the name of Haubis (which Norfolk Guiding friends might appreciate!).

Back on the motorway for half an hour, then another half hour on smaller roads, we arrived at our next ‘home’ and Herbert, the owner was there to welcome us and show us around.

The steps were a bit of a challenge both for Racheal’s chair and our trusty trolley, but I did know about them beforehand and the spacious accommodation made up for the inconvenience. The bungalow was located a few miles outside Vienna, on the edge of the forest, in a quiet cul-de-sac. We had the evening to settle in ready to discover the delights of Vienna the next day.

Travelling days are always hard work. However organised we are, there is always quite a lot to load in the car because we need most things the morning we are leaving. The hoist comes into two pieces and is strapped to one side of the car in the back. The changing table folds and goes the other side. Summer’s rucksack and our suitcase have their designated spaces and Racheal’s smaller ‘indoor’ chair folds and goes on a back seat. The trolley, which holds medical equipment, medicines, electronics and other essentials, has our big electric freezer/coolbox and Racheal’s ‘bed bag’ strapped on top. This fits neatly behind Racheal in the car, secured in place with a ratchet strap. It makes good use of the space behind her chair and is much easier when we stop on journeys as we just have the one thing to get out of the car before we can get her out.

And when we arrive we have to unload everything, find how it’s going to work in the new place, and get on with Racheal’s evening care routine as well as making sure we are fed and rested. We’ve got it off to a fine art now, but it can still be very tiring.