Bond and Blood in Vienna

It is with great pleasure that I announce that my latest James Bond fan-fiction is available to download on AJB007 (see link below). Set in Vienna, 'Wienerblut' which is literally translated as 'Viennese Blood' this short story sees Bond relaxing after a succesful but exhausting assignment. Bond's leave will shortly be disrupted as a bizarre set of circumstances unfolds.

This short story was inspired by a trip to Vienna in September 2007. Many elements from the story are closely based upon my own experiences in Vienna. The awful weather that I experienced, for instance is replicated in the story. The story also contains refers to a real life character that I met in Vienna: Mr Fischer, the proprietor of the Altwiener Schnapps Museum. One of his beverages lends its name to the title of the story. Mr Fischer is seen here with a bottle of 'Wienerblut'.

Also referred to in the story is the Riesenrad ferris wheel at Prater park. This ferris wheel has a Bond history all its own as it appeared in the 1987 film, The Living Daylights. It also famously appeared in the 1949 noir classic, The Third Man. As you can see in the photo, my coat gives an indication of the type of weather I experienced! Nonetheless, riding this famous ferris wheel was a great thrill, being a big fan of both films that it has appeared in.

Also included is a second short story, set in Paris called 'A Chance to Die'. The fan fiction can be downloaded at http://www.ajb007.co.uk/fanfiction/wienerblut.php . After you have read it, why not post your comments on the ajb007 forum or here on the blog.

Travels With 007 - Piz Gloria, Switzerland

On a pristine winter's morning we set out from Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland for a trip to the summit of the Schilthorn, and the revolving restaurant called Piz Gloria. The restaurant gets its name from the fictional based of Ernst Stavro Blofeld in Ian Fleming's novel On Her Majesty's Secret Service. The reason that this alpine restaurant has inherited the name is that it doubled for Blofeld's lair in the 1969 film.

After a morning's skiing at Birg, which was also featured in the film, we made our way further up cable car way to Piz Gloria itself.

The building was partly constructed when it was found by the filmmakers, and they apparently contributed financially to its completion. The revolving section allows diners in the restaurant to view a full 360-degree panorama in about an hour. Apparently the size of the restaurant section was increased in the 1990s, but it still retains the style and looks of the original.

Upon entering the building, I noticed the de Bleauchamp family crest, a memento from the film. I had already eaten lunch, but I wanted to enjoy the 360-degree view from the restaurant, or alpine room as it called in the film. I sat with some friends and snacked on some french-fries (Ian Fleming was probably turning in his grave!). The menu was 007 themed, and contained such interesting items as James Bond Spaghetti Bolognaise (?!?).

After admiring the view from inside, we proceeded out onto what was the heli-pad in the film, now an observation deck. It may have been bright and sunny but it was pretty cold - hence the large jacket in the photo!

Then it was back inside and into the heart of the building where we found a small theatre which played a collection of clips from the film. It was quite incredible watching the film in the very place that it was filmed all those years ago. In the gift shop, the walls were adorned with portraits of Lazenby, Rigg and Savalas and there were Bond items everywhere. The owners of Piz Gloria certainly milk the James Bond connection for all it's worth!

In the surrounding area there are more locations to check out, such as the town of Murren further down the cableway. Also, the railway station at Lauterbrunnen was the setting Bond's arrival in Switzerland and his meeting with Irma Bunt.

If you are ever in Switzerland, particularly in the Interlaken/Lauterbrunnen area then Piz Gloria should definitely be visited. If you want to visit a Bond location, there is none more picturesque!