After a year-long break due to corona, the participants who had traveled individually arrived at the Schilcherlandhof / Stainz late in the afternoon on Friday, July 9, 2021. Some members secured seats with a good view in the hotel's pub garden in order to attend the announced fashion show on the main square. Unfortunately, due to a change in the program, the start time was postponed and clashed with our dinner date. Other fellow travelers explored the city of Stainz and enjoyed ice cream and / or chilled drinks in the sunshine. Punctually at 7 p.m., the hungry jaguar enthusiasts were welcomed in the guest garden by the organizing team Brigitte and Michael B. and equipped with a starter package including a roadbook. After a brief address and checking of the vaccination records and / or PCR tests, food intake was started.
Before all 32 registered people went to their vehicles on Saturday, July 10, 2021 in the morning after breakfast, the obligatory group photo with the club flags was taken. In glorious sunshine, all 17 cars started punctually and lined up for the descent according to their start number. Before it actually started, Werner Cs decided. Well-maintained and serviced Jaguar no longer producing sparks and staying at the hotel car park in Stainz for the weekend. Werner therefore had the opportunity to spend the weekend in lovely company as Petra B.'s co-driver. With a slight delay, with optimal travel weather, we went on winding roads over the Hebalm and Klippitztörl to Althofen, where we visited the Auer von Welsbach Museum. An interesting and entertaining tour brought us closer to the numerous inventions and discoveries of the scientist and industrialist.
On arrival in Althofen there were technical problems with 2 vehicles. The radiator hose from Wolfgang's XJSC could not withstand the temperatures produced by the 12 cylinder engine and exhaled life and content. Christian H.'s Jaguar did not really make engine noises appropriate to the species and had to be left behind. With professional support from Heinz and Maria W. it was possible to get the presidential limousine back into running condition. The stranded and their helpers did not join the group again until supper.
Everyone else continued to curve along fantastic mountain roads with countless curves and great views through the Gurktal, high above Hochrindl-Alpl to the Nockalmstrasse, where we were expected for lunch in the Glockenhütte at over 2000 m above sea level. About 200 m before the finish, Karl Rs. Jaguar asked for a cooling break, which was only canceled for a short time due to the fresh temperatures at this altitude. After lunch there was a short time to enjoy the indescribable view. We continued over the Eisentalhöhe and Schönfeldsattel to Mauterndorf, where there was a choice of a tour of the castle or a coffee house. The last stage of the day took us to Murau, where we moved into our rooms in the Brauhof zu Murau for the night before dinner was served in the guest garden and from us the brewing skills of the Murau residents were tested.
On Sunday, July 11th, 2021, after breakfast, we started at the nearby gas station in the direction of Admont Abbey. Contrary to the predictions of all WetterApps, we were able to enjoy the beautiful route in dry road conditions and take the numerous bends without the risk of aquaplaning. Only the vehicle of the organizing team felt the weather was too dry and asked for a sip of cold water every now and then to be able to continue the journey. In between, our service vehicle with the star broke down and had to be checked by Karl Sch. be made fit again.
When we arrived in Admont, the damp weather that had been announced for a long time caught up with us and cleared our cars of dust during the tour of the world's largest monastery library. After the visit, we feasted in the monastery cellar, not just on monastery soup and bread. Satisfied and satisfied, we went back to the spectacular mountain roads towards Mariazell. The stay was used for technical breaks, a coffee house, ice cream, gingerbread and a little pilgrimage. Some of the participants said goodbye here and drove straight home. Most of the passengers made their way to the Hinterbrühl to Höldrichsmühle, where the exit came to an end.
It was a weekend of superlatives. We drove over 800 km through 6 Austrian federal states. Planning, organization, route selection and implementation were top notch, as we expected from Brigitte and Michael B. It is admirable how much dedication and time this great trip was made possible for us.
Many thanks to the organization team for this effort!
Text: H.+G.Kurzreiter
photos: JDOST©
