It comes as it must

If you take the time change into account, it's already past midday in Europe at 11:30. Well, in the afternoon. So it's time for the first blend. Taken in small doses, it is even beneficial to health and stimulates the circulation. This mixture can therefore be said to have predominantly positive properties. For non-Austrians, it should be explained that a mixture is a white or red wine spritzer. In other words, a glass of wine with mineral water, whereby “thin” defines the higher proportion of water in this mixture. It is not uncommon to be confronted with the saying “Mogst a Mischung” in Styria at the aforementioned time of day. “A Dünne geat schou” is then the correct answer and so it comes as it must.

Styrian Tuscany

We are looking forward to Styria. The last time I was there was five years ago. We celebrated our farewell at Leo's Buschenschank when we set off on our long journey. It was a lavish party, far away from our Katinka, which was in Loano near Genoa at the time. The tactic almost worked and only a few parting tears were shed.

Bad Radkersburg, Styria

We take the train from Stuttgart to Graz. During the eight hours, we can slowly prepare for the reunion. The joy is immense. The Styrians - without wanting to get into gender stereotyping again, the Dirnderln are of course also part of it - express their joy with conviviality. An eighth of wine or a mixture with a Brettljausen and you feel right at home. There's a lot to talk about and before you know it, there's not enough time in the day or night to absorb everything you've experienced. At some point, common sense prevails and we fall into a deep but short sleep. The climax is reached again at Leo's. A rustic tavern in south-eastern Styria. Gaby has difficulties with the dialect of the south-eastern Styrians and looks at me when she is asked: “Wou kumst jetz her?” looking for help. I answer instead of her and then translate into Swabian. But these language barriers are not really a problem, as we have learned to deal with them over the last five years in all the countries whose language we don't speak and often find out what is meant from the context. 

In south-eastern Styria

The bigger challenge is the coziness and especially the things that contribute to it. Cold roast pork, ham, Grammelschmalz, minced meat, horseradish - all the fine things to eat and drink make a huge impact. My trousers get tighter and tighter and any concerns on my part are dispelled with the words: “Oh go on, I'll be back so young”. You simply have to love these people and if you don't believe me, you can see for yourself. Southeast Styria is fully developed for tourism from Bad Radkersburg to Graz. Whether it's a spa stay in the thermal springs, a sports stay with biking or golfing or a castles and palaces tour, there is something for everyone. Here, hospitality and coziness are still very important due to the warmth of the people. Southeast Styria is still an insider tip. This makes it all the more difficult for us to say goodbye. 

Riegesburg, Styria

With a short round trip through the vineyards, a visit to Riegesburg, we try to delay this as long as possible. As a young lad, I conquered the hilly landscape between Feldbach and Riegesburg on a three-speed bike, where they had the best apricot dumplings in the world. After all, there are gradients of up to 16% to conquer here, which wasn't particularly difficult for me as a young lad. Below the castle, which defied all Turkish attacks, the dumplings and the stories about the castle were so exciting that I was drawn there again and again. Even today, I can't avoid at least taking a look at the rock and the walls perched on top of it. Even if there have been no dumplings or curd cheese strudel there for a long time and there is no one left to tell these exciting stories of wine spirits, witches and the Gallerin. But this time, too, it comes as it must. It's hard to say goodbye and as I write this down, we're sitting on the train from Graz to Stuttgart, traveling through the Enns Valley, past traditional farms, timber industry and small villages. Our time in Austria is over again and our days in Germany are numbered. Our Katinka is already waiting and just as I was fascinated by the exciting stories of the Riegesburg back then, I am just as excited about the adventures we will experience with our sailing boat on our trip around the world. I am happy to tell you about it, just like the person who once fascinated me so much with his stories from south-eastern Styria. With this in mind, as always, fair winds and keep a stiff upper lip. By the way, a few tears were shed this time too.