The Fuschl Winter Challenge

They called it a works outing nevertheless it could also been named kick-off event or team-building seminar. Anyway on friday afternoon I went to Fuschl in the province Salzburg. When I arrived there the 'welcome drinking' outside at the barn had already started. It was followed by dinner and than a small compedition between motley crews of participants started.


The contest constisted of 3 parts: milking a cow, nailing (with extra points for using the snuff sling) and sawing (with extra points for smelling schnapps). Our group was overall last but we received a mention at the award ceremony for being the fastest in schnapps smelling! The night ended at the cellar-bar.

In the next morning there were presentations and after lunch the Winter Games started. There were 6 stages: slalom run, laser gun shooting, snowshoe run, bungee trail, snow tubing and 'Zipfibob' (bobsleigh) race.

The 'athletes' were doped by free drinks and had a lot of fun. Surprisingly our group improved considerably. We made the overall fourth place. We missed the winners' rostrum by a bad performance in laser gun shooting. So we received only the tin medal. After another night in the cellar-bar the people left for home.

Goodbye 2007

A new year is comming. But first there has to be a party. Starting the evening slowly Reini, Dave and I met at Hannes' flat to do some stone slab barbecue and to have a couple of beers. Even on the way to Hannes the people couldn't stand it and there were fire- cracker explosions in every corner.

The time went by and after the meal we needed some schnaps. So it was time for some arcane homemade fire-water offered in a reutilised soda bottle.

Half past 11 we took a completely crowded subway to the Volkstheater and we went up the Ring to the town hall.

There was a shoal of people and fireworks all around. Staccato: countdown - can't hear the bell (to loud) - more fireworks - open a bottle of champagne - run into a banger - nearly spontaneous combustion!

When the crowd cleared up we went to the booths to have some glogg and hot punch.

We stayed until they closed the Christmas market at 2 am. The next and last station of the night was Charlie P's Irish Pub. Staying there to the dawn we had nice and bizarre conversations with the female soldiers of fortune of the night.

Conclusion: Happy new year and welcome 2008!