Germany - Alpine region (3)

Having heard from fellow motorhomers Keith and Linda about the huge motorhome dealer at Der Freistaat near Munich, we decided to go and take a look. Huge it was and well stocked with campervans and motorhomes of all prices and sizes - from Possl to Carthago to Concorde.

We also found what we had been looking around for, a small size Weber BBQ. As it was the last one on the floor I managed a discount and took it for 79 Euros. Now we can barbie and braai in style!

Our next stop for one night was another huge complex, this time the Spa and Wellness centre at Erding, also near Munich. As it was a Sunday the place was packed, but we did the rounds in the main pools and quiet(er) areas and left refreshed nevertheless. Monday 27 August was grocery shopping day and we stocked Fifi to the gunnel's with all things nice and fresh having found a Hit supermarket in Erding. They have well stocked and presented Deli counters and the selection of meats and salads are conducive to splashing out a bit. We also found the elusive Vodafone shop to top up on Internet time. Yet again I was directed to it by a female parking warden and given a map of the town showing other outlets of interest - very helpful these German parking wardens! Some lessons can be learnt by London parking wardens me thinks, their PR skills are .... well ....
We left Erding at midday and drove past the Chiemsee - the largest natural lake in Germany I think at 80 square km - and aimed for the area around Reit im Winkel. The road takes you along parts of the Deutsche Alpenstrasse (German Alpine road) and is absolutely beautiful by the very nature of the name. We found a motorhome campsite just outside Reit im Winkel and this was to be it for the next three nights.
A lovely town, nice shoppe's, good bakeries and cafes and a walk around the Alpine foothills including a 500 meter descent and 2 hour walk down from the Hindenburg hut - the joys of travel!

Reit in Winkel

 

Hotel Edelweiss in Reit im Winkel

 

Poster extolling the virtues of the mountains 

 

We opted for the ride by small bus up to the Hindenburg hut which is 1800m above sea level and promises good views, good light lunches and Bavarian Pilsener. There is also a choice of walks, anything from 30 minutes to a full day's hike of several hours from this venue. We had a short walk around the immediate area and enjoyed the views and pondered the farming activities of the hardy souls this high up. I ordered a light lunch of bread and sausages which had Joan smiling at the single cut of dark bread and two viennas with a sachet of mustard. Well it was only 5 Euros ....

We also decided to walk back down the mountain into town and to the campsite. The path is well laid out and signposted taking you through the Pine forest and grassed foothills, descending 500m (1500ft) duration about 2 hours walking, quite steep in places, but well worth the effort. Reaching the bottom we decided to short cut it to the campsite and crossed the very low river using stones and rocks to keep our boots out of the water. A lovely day out capped by doing a barbie/braai in the Weber.

 

Hindenburg Hut, in the mountains near Reit im Winkel.

 

Hill farming community

 

Wet weather was forecast for the next two days so we spent the last day in Reit i W walking the alleyways of town and enjoying an ice cream whilst walking back to Fifi across the meadows - see the first picture above. And of course you have to look like locals doing mythical things - see pictures below!

 

 

 

And now on to Munich and friends of long standing, for some rest and recreation!