Rust: Doktor Johnston Investigates

Rust, Austria (Rust, Österreich)

A small town one hour's drive from Vienna, Rust is known for two things: wine and storks. 

The quaint main street is home to several wine shops that offer an abundance of local vinos. Unfortunately they were all a little out of our price range, so we skipped them in favour of checking out the birds. 

Between late March and late August, storks come to roost on the chimneys here. Why Rust over other places, I'm not sure, but it may partly be due to the marshy lands that lay near the town. While driving to a picnic spot, we saw a little green snake cross the road! The park was right next to reedy wetlands, but luckily the grass we were perched upon was the correct dryness for a picnic blanket, and we were treated to some excellent specimens of public toilets: not only did they have toilet paper available, but it was two ply! Practically unheard of. 

The reason I used the word 'specimen' is because when we visited Rust, I was feeling particularly scientific. Having misplaced my prescription sunglasses somewhere in the bottomless boot of our car, I opted instead for a combination of my prescription glasses with my non-prescription sunglasses. According to Yannick, this caused a bit of a mad scientist effect, and he thought I should be examining things and then blowing something up. You know. For science. 

Walking along, we took in some excellent building spotting as well as stork watching. Austrian constructions just seem to look so distinct from where we've travelled before. 

The storks would swoop in with their long, gangly legs and alight onto their carefully built nests. Some residents build special metal baskets to encourage storks to nest atop their homes. 

I hope they have good sound insulation, as the clacking sounds the birds make with their beaks is quite loud. Apparently they make this sound when the females are expecting baby storks, and it is accompanied by a musical cawing and delirious twisting of the necks. I'd highly recommend Rust as a quiet day trip from Vienna or as a stopover on the way to Hungary, as we did. Use the park toilets! You won't regret it.