The Pot of Gold

Embach receives plenty of weather. Not just balmy summer days, or brilliant, crisp winter sun, but every so often, boisterous, rough weather.

Perched on a plateau 1000m above sea level, Embach is easy prey to the elements blasting along the Salzach valley from both east and west. From the south, the Rauris valley opens out just on the corner of our plateau bringing occasional hot föhn winds and sometimes Sahara sand.  To the north beyond the Salzach valley is the 3000m Hochkönig from where the winter snows often blanket the village.

At this time of year, the hot, sunny days often end with a storm. We can see them approaching like a black wall along the valley to the west. Then violent winds preface thunderous rumbling, wild flashes around the neighbouring peaks and crashing rain. Within an hour, the drama is passed, the air sweet and fresh and the rumblings fade into the distance.

Every so often a rain shower interrupts a sunny day and then we are often blessed with a brilliant rainbow. A recent example dropped its pot of gold right on one of the village’s guest houses just as the guests were eating breakfast…what a shame they missed the spectacle.