17 Nov

 Spoke to Murray briefly. Glad he liked his birthday present (ice cube stamp things).

Chenks and I went and had brunch at the beautiful bakery/cafe that had the massive gingerbread cathedral in its window. I had the shredded pancake thing, with stewed pums and powdered sugar, and a 'melange'. It was so good. We walked past the Sacher hotel - of the sachertorte fame (chocolate cake with marmelade in it).

Our main destination today was the Secession building, and it did not disappoint! It is stunning, and the Beethoven fries is beautiful, and they provided headphones and a seat so you could sit there and view it and listen to Ode to Joy. It was magical.

We went and got some mulled wine at a christmas market and wandered a bit. Chenks was feeling tired and went home, leaving me to explore the Albertina.

I saw weird, massive, photorealistic surreal paintings from Gotfried Helnwein, spray painted walls and hanging fabric by Katharina Grosse, drawings and paintings by Michelangelo and others, some of the historic palace rooms, some Impressionist and 20th century paintings, and some odd American photography by Joel Steinfeld.

Dinner with Chenks and Igor at theirs again - beautiful slow-cooked bolognese.

17.382 steps

11.68 km

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