Spring 2019

Schwaigsee night 2 - 22 May 2019

The day started again with rain but we decided we had to do something. Kay drove to Oberammergau and we found a park with the coaches. It was only light rain so we had a good look around all the buildings with frescos on. Lunch and then on to Garmisch, more the drive than the town. We stopped at

22.05.19 - Treat for last night was double cherry Magnums - very nice! Another peaceful night, Billy no mates again - listening to the rain...

This morning, we were lulled into getting dressed for a run as we couldn’t hear any rain, however - thick drizzle when we got outside - so again gave up. We’re not being total wusses, it’s just such a pain to dry our wet clothes. My excuse - and I’m sticking with it!

So, Dave has moved today - but we’re back where we started! I drove for about 30 minutes to Oberammergau. Dave played with the big boys, and we parked up by the coaches! Were actually lucky and had a break in the weather when we had a walk about.

Back in 1633 the plague caused the death of 80 inhabitants of Oberammergau, and the survivors pledged to regularly perform a passion play if only no more people died. Since then, a play has been put on once every decade. In 2010, 500,000 spectators from all over the world went to see the plays.

The town is also known for its master woodcarvers who produce religious art (amongst other items - Mum, you’ll like the owls 🦉) which dates back to the 16th century. It also has Lüftl murals - exterior paintings typical of this area - mainly Christian motifs, especially with scenes from the Passion of Jesus Christ.

Also went into the Christmas shop - like the huge one we visited in Rothenburg am der Tauber - but more manageable size! Most items were fairly expensive, but not really based on a time spent hand made basis - the wooden carousel was €2,300 - and little ornaments from about €30.

Bought just one ‘danish’ - as it was huge - that was for afternoon tea!

Back to Dave for lunch and to decide what to do next. I drove to the Alpine Coaster - 2.6 km long toboggan run on rails and stilts - which reaches a top speed of 40 km per hour. Decided we’d rather have an adrenaline fix than visit Linderhof (King Ludwig II’s only completed palace). However - not to be, thwarted! Took our ticket and drove through the barrier - but it was closed! Anyway, by then had started to rain again!

Then I drove, steeply downhill and windy! for some of it, for about 40 minutes to Garmisch-Partenkirchen which is at the foot of Mount Zugspitze. Had our ‘danish’ and drink - but by the time we’d been out walking for a short time - started raining - yet again!

Tintin drove back so I could have a look at the beautiful scenery.

We’re now parked up where we were last night, cooking spaghetti bolognese, drinking rum - and wondering, not for the first time - what are we doing here - and when will the weather improve. It is slightly galling that Cornwall (and possibly Guernsey?) are having sunny weather! We’re due better weather tomorrow - but the foreseeable week or so here looks miserable - so the full German Alpine Road is not for us at this time. Hope to see the famous castle tomorrow, and then might follow the road west rather than east towards Lake Constance. Maybe the weather is worse in the mountains... Also, surely it’s got to be better weather in June!

PS from Tintin - Man pitches up in his car, gets out his rifle and marches off into the forest. About 30 minutes later we hear 1 shot and he’s dragging back his deer just as Kay was dishing up our spagbol!