Wallpaper Change

 

There is an idiomatic German expression for "change of scenery" that literally translates to "wallpaper change". When you long for a bit of excitement or break from your routine you say you are in need of some Tapetenwechsel. Last weekend a visit at my parents' provided just that: a welcome change from home office in Lower Austrian suburbia with the highlights being my various domestic adventures and walks in the pancake-flat neighbourhood. Our less than 48 hours in Klagenfurt included a wonderful (if absolutely freezing) ski day, a lovely walk by the lake combined with a bit of wedding location scouting, views of snow-capped mountain peaks from pretty much everywhere in the city, home cooking other than my own and overall being spoilt by my parents. Visiting another part of Austria has taken the place of weekend trips abroad and even these national adventures have become a rare treat due to lockdowns and hotels being closed (not everyone has relatives or owns property near a ski resort or some kind of landmark). So, batteries have been recharged for the week(s) to come.