Afternoon and Evening on the "Saualpe"

At about 3PM we decided to go for a "little ride" in the country side.
Way up to a small town (800 inhabitants) called Diex. Also referred to as "the sun capital of Carinthia"
Diex is situated in South East Carinthia on the Southern slope of the "SauAlpe", high up ( 1159 meters a.s.l.) high above the Jaun Valley and the Lavant Valley.
Above us a totally cloudless sky, below us a blanket of fog, rising from the Drau river, lieing there, unmoving, looking for all the world like a silver grey lake.

From Diex along a well maintained, asphalted, but narrow road
 ( one car width)  to the Village of Grafenbach and from there, back down into the Lavant Valley, where, in the meantime the fog had lifted, and back home to Bleiburg.

It's hard to imagine a prettier drive.

above and below:

View from the Saualpe

View from the Saualpe into the Lavantal ( Valley of the Lavant )

The bank of fog, (or are they low hanging clouds ?)

like a silver lake.

There are many such churches called "Wehrkirchen" 

(defensive churches)

surrounded by thick walls, equipped with defensive installations

offering the last bastion of safety to the citizens, beleaguered by marauding bands.

Evening in the Valley

The twin steeples of the Church in Diex.