Day 13 - Friday 31/7

Here's a sight you don't see very often:

That will teach our neighbours to pay their bill on time!
         ...it was actually adding more gravel under their sun awning - the driver did knock on their door first - they were out!


The day started out cool so we decided to venture off the campsite for the first time since arriving for a stroll.  6 hours, a 15 hike up the mountain and a cable car ride back down later we arrived back - still with 3 children in tow with energy left for the trampoline before bed!

View from 2000m and our highest point (our campsite is at 1540m):

Views along the way:

Views from the cable car (all taken by Anna):

...most people take the cable car up and walk down! Oh well, noted for next time!

After several lectures on the danger of wandering off without telling us, we thought we'd found the perfect solution in a cow bell for Ellie.  Her response "does that mean I don't need to tell you where I'm going?"

Today the Merricamp weather station recorded the highest and lowest temperatures in the van so far:  8C and 45C - luckily the cool evening breeze had cooled it back to a comfortable 20C by bed time.

Day 12 - Thursday 30/7

 

A day of rest and laundry in the Dolomites. 

 

Clouds cleared to reveal stunning Dolomite mountains behind us. 

 

 

 

 

This is an amazing campsite!!  A mix of Italian style and German engineering. Even the loos clean themselves automatically.

 

 

 

Spent the whole of a damp afternoon in the spa - the family spa - an  absolutely stunning place, all wood and slate with rocks, pebbles and sculptures.  (Didn't take a camera in - but will do tomorrow!)

 

 

Evening with a  view of the mountains between the low clouds: 

 

 

 

Day 11 - Wednesday 29/7

We said a fond farewell to Camp Hopfensee, our German/Dutch neighbours and the fabulous facilities (especially the Trockenraum!)  It was a great first camp and will be hard to beat.  A last photo of the beautiful view:

Headed into Austria admiring the breathe taking mountain and lake views on the way.

Stopped off at the Leutasch Gorge, a truly impressive mix of nature in the force of water and German/Austrian engineering.

Took a detour to visit the waterfall:

and read all about the formation of the gorge through the ice age and its goblin inhabitants:

Left just as the rain started and continued our journey into Italy through the Brenner pass in torrential rain.  Completed the first 1000 miles of the trip!

 Arrived at Sesto in time for dinner in the Taverna and set up a very soggy camp where we will stay for the next 4 days.

Girls colouring in before dinner.  Menu is a strange mix of German/Italian - ravioli with potatoes, lasagne with German ham!  Good value and tasty though.

 

Day 10 - Tuesday 28/7

Last full day for this part of the trip in Germany.

Started off by posting our awning back to England - just fed up with trying to set it up!  It still didn't stay up even with the new tubing posted from Denmark earlier in the week.  Now its gone - M, its heading your way next week sometime...

Headed just across the border into Austria to the Walderlebniszentrum:


activities in the forest

the treetop walkway

the slide was great fun!


 



Finished the day with a last trip into Fussen, a swim and pfeifferling mushrroms and steak on the BBQ.  (Gordon opted to wear more than his budgie smuggler trunks to cook in, unlike all our German neighbours!)

 

Day 9 - Monday 27/7

Schloss day - a trip to the castles and museum at Norchwanstien, a bit of a theme park really, but quite interesting never the less.  The castle is more impressive from afar, inside is an incredibly ornate array of detailed wooden carvings, mosaics and medieval frescoes and drapery.  Dark and weird - including a man made cave room - no wonder why King Ludwig, its creator was certified mad in the end!  Sorry no photos allowed inside, you will have to take my word for it!

A bit of light relief at the Summer Toboggan run at Tegelbergbahn.

 

And finally to end another superb day, what could be nicer than a little Alpenhaun by the side of the lake as the sun sets...

 

... and no girls they didn't play any Rizzlekicks!

 

Gordon was not impressed with the sound, but has spent many hours trying to replicate it since!

Day 8 - Sunday 26/7

The 88th Gautrachtenfest continues with 4 hours of marching up and down the main street, 80 groups representing different alpine villages all with their own marching band, take on the national costume and menagerie of animals and small children.  Some handing out beer, all having a great time!
 

 

Inspired by the marching we set off for a walk of our own.  5 miles across the hill to the neighbouring lake of Forgensee.  Catie and Ellie aided by their sticks.  Unfortunately we failed to find a boat or bus back, so it was another 5 miles back again!

...luckily we found Café Maria for refreshments and a rest before the return journey.  Back to Hopfensee for another evening at the Festival - this time eating schnitzel and wurst while watching the dancing and leather shorts!

Day 7 - Saturday 25/7

Looking for a forest adventure park, took a wrong turning and found a sports clothing outlet with a climbing centre in the roof space.  Here's Anna making full use of both her new trainers and the facilities.

Catie and Ellie having a little go too, height was too much for Catie and Ellie didn't make the height much to her disgust.

 

 

 

 

 

Stumbled upon the 88th Gautrachenfest in a huge tent in the local town.  Seems to be a beer, music and dance festival all in various styles of national dress.  Never seen so many leather shorts in one place before! 

Day 6 - 24/7

Day trip to Lindau on Lake Konstance



Harbour view including the lighthouse and lion guarding the entrance.  (Small Merritts in the background eating ice cream - finally found mint choc chip for Catie!!)

Beautiful town on an island in the lake.  We enjoyed exploring the little shops in the cobbled streets and watching the boats sail on the clear green water.

 

Day 5 - 23/7

Day around camp

Quiet morning playing card games followed by a swim in the lake. 
Chilly day so a longer swim  in the indoor pool being careful not to get Catie's chin wet!

5 mile walk around Hopfensee Lake before tea with no complaints about aching leg but with an epic game of ISpy.
Spot the Gnome.



Well deserved Pizza for tea

Anna very happy to get call from her music teacher.  She passed her Grade 1 Singing Exam with Merit (with 1 r and 1 t).





Day 4 - 22/7

Chitty chitty Bang Bang country - 35 degrees and we added to the crowds of  tourists!  Decided to look inside another day.



Walked to Tegelbergbahn cable car station

Beautiful views at the top...

...until we got there :-)

Late afternoon shopping trip to Fussen

Thunderstorms this afternoon stopped play on the toboggan run, but have brought some relief from the sweltering heat.  A successful day navigating the region's bus network.

Time spent waiting for buses:  2.5 hours
Time spent on buses:  25 minutes

Day 3 - Tuesday 21/7

Camp set up for breakfast
 

View across Lake Hopfensee into the Austrian mountains.

Afternoon messing about on the water.

Day 2 – Monday 20/7

The longest traveling day, 7 hour drive to Fussen in Germany via Strasbourg and Stuttgart.  Arrived and headed straight for the pool, closely followed by A&E after Caitlin decided to check out the slide with her chin.  Hole glued up...

...just in time for a paddle in the campsite’s beautiful Lake Hopfensee as the sun set. 

Krankenhaus – most useful word of the day. 

In date EHIC – most useful piece of kit, sadly missing L