Marble Quarry 18.3.2009
In striking disagreement with the forecast for today it is bright and sunny, though windy and cool. I supppose this will not last for long, so I postpone my resting day for tomorrow and start a walk from Winzendorf´s upper outskirts. I have decided to have a look at some additional places of pasqueflowers.
First I walk a short leg through the vienyards heading for Bad Fischau, to branch off at first opportunity up to the marble quarry.
Having entered the forest, fowever, I branch off for a very narrow path leading me to a dry and rahter steep grassland with trees and bushes in between.
Numerous pasqueflowers (Pulsatilla grandis) are growing here..
They are flourishing in slight variants of shape and color Formvarianten ...
... and in groups.
I cannot help dealing with them extensively ...
... whereas Sheila is waiting patiently.
View from the gassland to Bad Fischau and Wiener Neustadt ...
... and over Winzendorf to the snow covered Wechsel region.
Cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas) are just beginning ...
... to flourish.
At least I have reached the marble quarry walking through the forest. Panoramic view over southern Vienna´s plain, with Rosalia mountains, Wechsel and Semmering in the background. Click here or into the picture for a larger version.
View over Winzendorf to Hochwechsel.
Schneeberg and Hohe Wand from the viewpoint above the marble quarry.
Schneeberg summit wrapped in clouds.
I descend through Brunntal. In the forest severyl old water retention basins. Here the sparse water was collected and used for cooling the steel ropes that were used for thoroughly cutting the marble rocks.
Seems to me that some Italians have contructed this basins in 1941 at the time of Deutsches Reich.
Liver leaves (Hepatica nobilis) in the forest. ...
... and primroses (Primula vulgaris).
Back to the vineyards I discover a yellow spot in newly arranges vineyard - flourishing Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara).
19.3.2009 in the morning - the forecast bad weather has arrived. Now I take the rest and are writing this page.
The easterly decoration disappears under the snow.