JDOST takes off - that's the motto of the two-day trip in autumn 2020. It starts on Saturday, September 19th. The meeting point is the Café delikado at Schloss Hetzendorf in Vienna. Before we left, we received the information that Wolfgang & Marion's XJS wanted to release pressure - unfortunately not through a suitable valve, but through a crack in a cooling water hose. With the replacement XJS, the two will join the group later.
After a hearty breakfast, we start around 9.30 a.m. in the direction of Kaltenleutgabe. Via Heiligenkreuz and Mayerling we reach Café CinCano for a short break, with the opportunity to quench the thirst of people, animals and machines. The route continues via Gutenstein and Kaiserbrunn to Hirschwang. The innkeepers at the Gasthof Kobald are already looking forward to serving us tasty dishes for lunch. Well strengthened, the group sets off. Martin and family want to spare their automobile addition in the form of a beautiful Jaguar Mark X the trouble of brisk mountain driving - the sedan from 1964 thanks it and delivers the crew safely to the day's destination. Everyone else starts for the last stage of the day. At Semmering we leave the cult hotel Panhans on the side. The narrow mountain roads nestle into the landscape and carry us through the romantic mountain world. The queue of cars torments - more or less - on the 1,372m high Pfaffensattel. The occupants enjoy the provided foresight. Curves, curves, curves, ... uphill, downhill, uphill, downhill, ... a wonderful experience for the participants. After the panorama road with a view of the picturesque Stubenberg lake, the entourage reaches the Ballonhotel Thaller around 4.30 p.m. - around 225 km after the start in Vienna-Hetzendorf. Two giant hot air balloons are ready to lift a couple of willing balloonists into the air - JDOST takes off, that's the motto of the trip. While some enjoy the view from over 1,000 m above sea level, others relax in the hotel's wellness area. In the meantime, Wolfgang & Marion are also in the day's goal - the replacement XJS held out. The balloon driver baptism and an enjoyable evening meal make the heart beat faster. Claudia treats us to a glass of muscatel frizzante on her birthday. With a happy, humid, cheering… uh… sung birthday serenade, we let Claudia live higher than the balloons and thank you for the good drop.
On the second day, the sun greets us early in the morning to tickle us out of bed. After a hearty breakfast, we set off comfortably at around 10 a.m. A few kilometers later, some use the refueling facility - better safe than sorry. We continue eastwards towards Burgenland - we reach it right after Burgau. We drive deeper into the land of castles to Güssing and the next destination, the Buschenschank Eder in Eisenberg, near the Hungarian border. A small snack with the unique Uhudler storm and the brilliant view put a smile on our faces. The convoy rolls on to Eisenstadt with a slight delay - the last "long" stage of the autumn exit. Hungary's border accompanies us on the right to Lockenhaus. Further north and a little more to the left into the Bucklige Welt - a fine piece of the way through Lower Austria's forests. Burgenland has us again near Forchtenstein Castle. Passing meadows - known for the traditional jazz festival - we enter Eisenstadt from the eastern flank and delight the excited people in front of Esterhazy Palace with a trellis of our glamorous motorized carriages. Noble British in front of noble walls, to the joy of the cheering crowds. Well ... that was a bit exaggerated - it was nice anyway. What oats are to Hungarian steppe horses, super is to British motor vehicles. Wolfgang’s XJS, a drinkable twelve-cylinder, almost breathes its soul, if it weren't for a snack canister in the talon. Christian’s TR250 almost followed suit. Both ailing warriors crawled, supporting each other, to a hospitable feeding place in nearby Wr. Neustadt. Providing their thirsty Brits with the best, high-octane refined product is the rescue in an emergency. In the meantime, a very interesting wine tour starts in the Princely Castle. Our speaker gives us a very clear understanding of the history of viticulture. At the end we taste fine wines from the Esterhazys wine cellars - Egészségére (editor's note: cheers). Before leaving, Gerhard lets the V8 of his ‘handbuilt’ Aston Martin Vantage roar briefly in front of the castle - for many, it gives goose bumps. We leave the princely place and set off on the rubbers to the Karlwirt in Winden on Lake Neusiedl.
The JDOST autumn tour 2020 ends comfortably with delicious food and a refreshing drink. 2 days - 450 km - 20 cars - approx. 40 people and at least 1,000 tons of comfort.
Many, many thanks to Michael & Brigitte Brockmann for organizing this great event.
Kind regards and stay healthy
your Andi
Text: Andreas Icha
Photos: JDOST©
