Vienna; the free concert

My first day in Vienna and the weather was superb; so I decided to walk through the park.  As I got close to the Hofburg palace, I heard the sound of music. It was the Vienna Symphonic Orchestra, one of the finest orchestras in the world, practising for that evening's free concert.

Some of the techie stuff.

See the guy half way up the rigging, putting some lights in place?

I stayed for about an hour, thoroughly enjoying the music- Beethoven's 7th, I think- along with some other lucky people.

It was such a treat to see these world-class musicians, dressed in jeans and casual clothes, plating quite informally. It was like a special stolen moment. And they're always good!

Vienna: Prater amusement park

The entrance to Prater Park. The Ferris wheel is one of the earliest ever built, in 1897, by an English engineer, Lt Walter Bassett Bassett of the Royal Navy. It was built to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph 1. The wheel is 212' high and originally had 30 gondolas; but after being badly damaged in World War 11, only 15 were replaced.

This is also very old. It's made of wood and the only way to the top is to walk up all those stairs.
 No, of course I didn't. Really. What were you thinking?

Lovely fairground grub!

I loved these larger-than-life figures; especially the Hurdy Gurdy man; I have a soft spot for them.

Looks like the cat's got.....

....everything!

Vienna- Belvedere Palace

This is Belvedere Palace, home of the famous painting by Gustav Klimt- The Kiss. I've been to Vienna twice before but failed to get here. I have good excuses as to why that happened (or didn't happen, if you like). The first time, I was with a friend and we wanted to visit the Christmas markets (there are several around Vienna). We considered going to see The Kiss. After all, it is world famous. But it would cut into our shopping time- and as you know: shopping rules!
The second time I went- there was a gas explosion near the Palace and the whole area was closed off. I had made the trip specifically to see The Kiss, and I was very disappointed.  I consoled myself with cake. As you do.

In the garden.

This is inside the Palace. Photographs are forbidden, but I hate being told 'No'.

My favourite room in the Palace (well, apart from the ones with the paintings. Don't want you thinking I'm a complete Philistine). It's the tea room! Delicious lemon tart for lunch. Not such a bad choice when you think about  it- it's made from lemons- and is therefore clearly one of the '5 a day'. I could almost say it was healthy. No? Not buying it?

This is the back of the Palace and if you look closely at the young couple in the photo (you might have to click on the picture to enlarge it) you'll see they're kissing. In the grounds of the home of The Kiss. So romantic!