Punctually at 8:45 a.m. we set off with the bus, guided with a steady hand by our chauffeur Valentin, in the direction of Eisenstadt to the Isosport company. The company is a world leader in the development and manufacture of plastic composite materials for the ski and snowboard industry. The company is also successful in the development and production of (tailor-made) plastic tennis strings. Tennis strings can be manufactured with similar playing characteristics as natural gut strings.

Photo from the Isosport company presentation

© Dagmar Fischer

Photo from the Isosport company presentation

After a short company presentation, we were shown through the production halls in a good mood.

Photo of the Isosport company tour

© Dagmar Fischer

Photo of the Isosport company tour

Photo of a ski

© Dagmar Fischer

Photo of a ski

Wilma with demonstration pieces

© Dagmar Fischer

Wilma with demonstration pieces

In the process, many a display piece changed hands.

Photo of employees having a picnic

© Dagmar Fischer

Photo of employees having a picnic

After the company tour at Isosport, we fortified ourselves with sausage and cheese sandwiches for the visit to Forchtenstein Castle.

Photo of employees having a picnic

© Dagmar Fischer

Photo of employees having a picnic

Photo of Forchtenstein Castle

© Dagmar Fischer

Photo of Forchtenstein Castle

Photo of the crocodile in the castle entrance, intended to scare off uninvited guests

© Dagmar Fischer

Photo of the crocodile in the castle entrance, intended to scare off uninvited guests

Unfazed by the crocodile, which was supposed to deter uninvited guests, we were guided through the historic castle. In stimulating discussions, both historical competence and strong nerves were demanded of the staff.

[Translate to English:] Foto von der Gruppe bei der Führung durch die Burg Forchtenstein

© Dagmar Fischer

Photo of the group during the guided tour of Forchtenstein Castle

Treasure chamber in Forchtenstein Castle

© Dagmar Fischer

Treasure chamber in Forchtenstein Castle

The secret treasury with well-preserved, partly exotic exhibits...

Ancestral gallery in Forchenstein Castle

© Dagmar Fischer

Ancestral gallery in Forchenstein Castle

Apparently it wasn't possible without a moustache, even at that time...

Document depot in Forchtenstein Castle

© Dagmar Fischer

Document depot in Forchtenstein Castle

The overview and order in the document depot are reminiscent of some office at Institute E308...

Photo of the kitchen in Forchtenstein Castle

© Dagmar Fischer

Photo of the kitchen in Forchtenstein Castle

Great importance was attached to sufficient work space in the kitchen…

Photo of the armory chamber in Forchtenstein Castle

© Dagmar Fischer

Photo of the armory chamber in Forchtenstein Castle

Apparently it shouldn't fail because of the armament. It is therefore not surprising that the castle was besieged several times but never taken.

Photo of cannonballs in Forchtenstein Castle

© Dagmar Fischer

Photo of cannonballs in Forchtenstein Castle

Photo of the group during the guided tour of Forchtenstein Castle

© Dagmar Fischer

Photo of the group during the guided tour of Forchtenstein Castle

From the castle wall, a beautiful panorama finally opened up with a view all the way to Lake Neusiedl.

Panoramic photo of the area around Forchtenstein Castle

© Ernst Kozeschnik

Panoramic photo of the area around Forchtenstein Castle

Photo at the Heurigen

© Dagmar Fischer

Photo at the Heurigen

Cooled off from the tour through the cold walls, we made our way to the Heurigen, where, despite a few bird attacks from above, a cozy end was celebrated.

Photo at the Heurigen

© Dagmar Fischer

Photo at the Heurigen