Schloss Hellbrun as an Advent calender

We went to Schloss Hellbrun Christmas market before we headed on our whistle-stop trip to the UK, and went there again the other night. However we also wanted to see it once more in the light of day, now that the house has been turned into a giant Advent calender.

Each day, they open another shutter to reveal the date, until all the windows are open and Christmas has arrived. We enjoyed the obligatory mug of glühwein, and a chocolate-fruit kebab, and also took the opportunity to have a look at the reindeer there, which were on loan from the Salzburg Zoo that is just down the road.

The reindeer weren't looking particularly festive, it must be said. There wasn't a red nose in sight, nor, in fact, were there any antlers. To be honest, if you asked me, without the help of the sign nearby I wouldn't have been able to identify them as Santa's reindeer at all.