Saturday was a lovely day, and we wanted to get out into the sun. This time we headed to Laxenburg, just South of Vienna. The park there is a nice size for a family walk.
The gardens and buildings date from the 18th century. The large pond has a castle on the island in the middle. This is the way a castle ought to look - and medieval ones never do. Steven was interested to see that skating is possible on the lake if it gets cold enough. Yes, it would be fun to skate around the castle. In the summer there is a boat rental and apparently the bridge we crossed on is replaced by a ferry. Tours are available of the castle, and there is also a cafe there - in the summer.
In the rest of the grounds we saw a tourney ground - apparently used, as jumps were set up inside. We saw deer in the woods, and horses with riders in a meadow. There were a variety of statues, ruins, a 'Greek temple' and similar things to see all along the paths. One couple was feeding the ducks from one bridge, and we saw swans on the pond. At least one of the fallen trees was labeled 'Kletterbaum'. Most of the visitors seemed to be young families. The paved paths with only gentle slopes are well suited to pushing baby carriages. Young children had lots to look at while walking. We came across a large playground, with lovely looking chairs to lie back on and relax in all around the playground, but the children seemed to be everywhere else in the park, and not there. There were also signs for minigolf, but we didn't get to that corner.
To get there by car either drive out Laxenburgerstrasse from Sued Tiroler Platz or take the Suedautobahn to Wiener Neudorf and turn left. As you drive through the town signs for Parking 1 will take you right to the entrance. There is free parking both outside and inside. Adults pay a small entrance fee, but children are free - even above the age limit if they are school children.
Monday, January 28, 2008
The library
Saturday, Steven and I went to the main Vienna library. If you haven't discovered it yet, try it out. In fact, you have probably seen it. You know that modern brick building between the inner and outer guertel roads with the long staircase going up the outside? That's it.
The library is easily reached by U-bahn: It is above the U6 station Urban Loritz Platz - Stadthalle. To drive, take the Guertel around. There are a limited number of Kurzpark spots. Alternatively you can park in the garage of Lugner City and walk across the bridge. Both can be reached from the outer Guertel. Stay left for the Kurzpark places in the parallel lane or right for the garage.
To borrow books or other media you will need a card. This costs a small amount for adults, but is free for children. With the card you can borrow books for four weeks. Other media: videos, DVDs, CDs, CD-roms cost an additional Euro for two weeks. Overdues cost .60 per week. However, with the possibility of renewing online, you shouldn't really have overdues very often, unless you get carried away and borrow the full 25 items you are allowed at once.
The collection of English language fiction was recently greatly enlarged. For non-fiction, the books are mixed into the rest of the collection. There are quite a few books in English in the science and technology section, and there are usually some on display. There are also a fair number of children's books in English. DVDs, of course, are usually multi-lingual, but the video section also has several in English. You can check the catalog either at the library or at home on-line. I also like to check out the section of books on Vienna and Austria to learn more about things we have recently visited. Here nearly everything is in German, but even if you don't read German you might want to borrow books of historical pictures of your district. Of course needlework patterns are usable whatever language the book is written in. Books of music are also there, including those with practice CDs. Whatever your instrument or genre, you will find something to play or sing.
If you don't have internet at home, there is the possibility to go online at the library. Steven does this during school vacations, as we keep his computer off the web. The library is also a great place for people watching. It is one place where you really do believe the figures that 30% of those living in Vienna are immigrants.
The library is easily reached by U-bahn: It is above the U6 station Urban Loritz Platz - Stadthalle. To drive, take the Guertel around. There are a limited number of Kurzpark spots. Alternatively you can park in the garage of Lugner City and walk across the bridge. Both can be reached from the outer Guertel. Stay left for the Kurzpark places in the parallel lane or right for the garage.
To borrow books or other media you will need a card. This costs a small amount for adults, but is free for children. With the card you can borrow books for four weeks. Other media: videos, DVDs, CDs, CD-roms cost an additional Euro for two weeks. Overdues cost .60 per week. However, with the possibility of renewing online, you shouldn't really have overdues very often, unless you get carried away and borrow the full 25 items you are allowed at once.
The collection of English language fiction was recently greatly enlarged. For non-fiction, the books are mixed into the rest of the collection. There are quite a few books in English in the science and technology section, and there are usually some on display. There are also a fair number of children's books in English. DVDs, of course, are usually multi-lingual, but the video section also has several in English. You can check the catalog either at the library or at home on-line. I also like to check out the section of books on Vienna and Austria to learn more about things we have recently visited. Here nearly everything is in German, but even if you don't read German you might want to borrow books of historical pictures of your district. Of course needlework patterns are usable whatever language the book is written in. Books of music are also there, including those with practice CDs. Whatever your instrument or genre, you will find something to play or sing.
If you don't have internet at home, there is the possibility to go online at the library. Steven does this during school vacations, as we keep his computer off the web. The library is also a great place for people watching. It is one place where you really do believe the figures that 30% of those living in Vienna are immigrants.
Starting Vienna blog
So far I have included posts about Vienna and outings nearby in my needlework blog, marthajeanne.blogspot.com, but it seems to me that it might be easier to keep them separate. So I have started marthajeanne-vienna.blogspot.com for those posts.
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