More from Vienna 2012 with Stampin’ Up!

So Friday was one of the best days of my life – honestly!

We started the day with a leisurely breakfast followed by a walk into the market with Amanda, Paula, Kerry, Paul, Brian and Jay and of course Simon.  We wandered chatted, looked at all the local food offerings and were rather warm and the temp was 30 degrees +

I had to post this photo as I loved seeing the Pink Lady or Pinck Lady apples, not many Stampin Up teams have a fruit named after them you know!!

We decided to stop for a drink and had fun rearranging the tables until we were told we would need to order food – oops! no time for lunch so we moved on…. Frank joined us too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frank is the Stampin Up mascot that joins us on all our trips………

We had then made plans with some of the UK group to have an afternoon tour of Vienna on Segways!!!!

Segway is the two wheeled stand up vehicle thingys that whizz around town getting  in everyone's way.  They go up to 20mph and you lean forward to go forward, backward to go backwards and they can almost turn on a sixpence.  You then have to stand perfectly straight without leaning to stay still. 

I was terrified, I agree to anything for a giggle but as we walked towards the building I started to regret my decision.  I just thought that I would give it a try and probably wouldn't like it and forefeit my money and go and drink coffee somewhere whilst the others had their fun.

I was so wrong, it was so instinctive and easy to get the hang of that within 30 seconds of standing on this thing we were riding up and down the pavement building in confidence (and getting in the way of all the pedestrians!!).

Look at my expression in the middle bottom photo, I can't believe I can do it!!!!

Frank tagged along for the ride, I tucked his feet into the holes in Julies helmet and he loved feeling the wind blowing through his hair!!

So off we went, for 3 hours, folllowing our guide through the streets of Vienna.  We were very well behaved and most of us (especially me) stuck to the guide like glue as I was not sure I could work out the bike paths, traffic lights, trams, cars and pedestrians whilst trying to stand up straight, not look a plonker and not fall off.  I managed it all apart from looking like a plonker, oh and falling off, twice the darn thing bumped me and boy its heavy and I still have the bruises to show for it!!

But it was so exhilarating and such great fun.  All 11 of us loved it and its a great way to nip around and see the city.  We stopped for a cold drink as it was boiling and admired the architecture

The wheels look like oreo's don't they???

I really couldn't have been happier…………………………

And this is everyone in front of the oldest Observation wheel.  This is right before I fell off and banged my shin – ouch!  Poor Julie also took a tumble and her brave hubby was the hero of the hour as not only did he save Julie but also he rescued Frank who has taken to flying for a brief moment!!  All was well though and Julie bravely got back in the saddle.

So after 3 hours of concentration and sun we rushed back to the hotel to get ready for the evening entertainment.

Glad rags on and ready to enjoy the nights festivities, we noticed that outside the hotel lobby there was a very long row of horses and carriages waiting to take us to the Museum of Fine Arts.  The sun shone, we made our way through the city with the cars and trams dressed in our finery and it was simply magical…….

This is one of the carriages pulling up outside of the Museum entrance.  Inside was cocktails and canapes which we ate whilst listening to a trio of musicians.

I felt like a 'real' grown up

I don't think Simon could believe the opulence and how well Stampin' Up look after us.

We were summoned to dinner and as always the attention to detail with the place setting and the table decorations was amazing.

The lovely UK acheivers

And here are all the achievers from all three countries as well as Shelli and the country Managers.

Before the food was served we had a surprise concert from the Vienna Boys Choir.  I had a tear in my eye that all these boys were here singing for our small group and honestly I got goosebumps.  How these young men could sing with such presence and volume was amazing.  We were given a signed copy of their CD to take home too!

We then ate and chatted before being given a private tour around the art gallery.  This was another moment when I needed to pinch myself to see if this was really happening?  Little old me, who just loves to craft, here on an evening in Vienna with all this VIP treatment?

 

Finally with some of the most gorgeous demo's from Germany,

It really was a day to remember forever and I am so thankful that I joined Stampin' Up!  I could never have imagined that Simon and I would expereince these things, yet here we were with all these lovely people…………….

And as I said 'One of the best days of my life' x