Lago Superiore Di Fusine

Moving over the border in to Austria looked no problem on paper as we've done it before in this area, or so we thought…

Now we have the Anhänger (trailer) firmly lodged behind us on the steep hills it all becomes a little more involved. You basically select a gear, and stick to it!

So changing up from 1st to 2nd on a steep incline with a lorry coming downhill the other way and refusing to give way when I'm trying to gun it only results in me reselecting 1st (automatic gearbox remember) and clenching my buttocks as we grind to a halt.

Handbrake holding the lot and me gradually applying the power to help prevent wheelspin saw us almost burning out the robotic clutch, A smell that you don't forget in a hurry and invokes beads of nervous sweat instantly.

The amazement in getting going causes us to pull in ASAP at the top and release the heat from the engine

All very pretty in this soon to be busy alpine ski resort, but I'm already stressing about the endless descent the other side as, from previous years, we have suffered brake fade going downhill as the van's weight overruns the engine whatever gear you leave it in…

Strange to report but no such problem this time. I wonder if the trailer's braking system actually helps pull the van back a little?

Anyway, amidst glorious sunshine we make it to Altenmarkt Im Pongau, a favourite of ours

We arrive too late for what looks to have been the town autumn festival

We spend two nights here with me in a right state, coughing and sneezing everywhere

Its at this stage Nina begins to snuffle so it looks like another teddy is down with flu

We press on after a few days down in to Italy and soon arrive in Motorhome Nirvana

This is Lago Superiore Di Fusine

What a stunning place this is, 10km from the nearest town of Tarvisio, up in the mountains

That evening, and to get us out the van really, we decided to break out 'Fozz' and go eat Pizza in Tarvisio

Nicely washed down with some fine Vino Rosso...

Next day, and determined to fight back, we both decide a good walk would clear the lungs out

Off we go at a very slow, dizzy pace in to the great beyond

Various fungi take our fancy

Some natives of the local woods, I kid you not

A native of the next village

Actually a cycle track..

Can you believe its actually parked on two pipes with tons of rock in the back

Rest a while sir?

One for you Keith

Just us here and the silence was deafening

Hank special..

This place is in our top five spots for wild camping

Just four campers on a large flat parking area overlooking the misty lake and total silence 

There's water here for the van, a toilet block and a bistro cafe during the day to add to the convenience

I can't help but try to compare it to the hoards of tourists we'll encounter in Venice…

Each day a different flavour..

Ruhpolding & Königssee

The next few days are quite uneventful as we take the shortcut to Bavaria via the Czech Republic

There are some quite lovely scenic areas between the two borders and I recall Prague being a great place to visit, but the country as a whole just doesn't do it for us I'm afraid

The difference in the two countries is quite noticeable and we were met with stares and total unfriendliness at the first campsite we stayed on. 

No smiles, no effort, no nothing really and it left us with the feeling that their only foreign visitors seemed to be old German couples seeking a cheap way of living for weeks on end

That said the second, and last site (no stellplatze or Aires here) at Nyrsko gave us a friendly welcome but we knew this in advance as we'd been here a few times before

The bonus here was that we dug out some leftover Czech money from two years ago and struggled to spend it all in their on-site restaurant and bar, giving what was left as a tip to the waitress

So folks, no photos as I just wasn't in the mood…

We enter Bavaria and its as if the light's gone on. Houses with flower baskets, cared for streets and smiling people…

We spend a few days just trundling southwards through this glorious landscape and stay overnight on stellplatze in towns with the usual mix of Eiscafes, Konditorei and the now common Kebab shops

All is well as we arrive at Ruhpolding (check the link's panorama shots) under a warm sun and encamp literally on the town's superb campsite for a couple of days

The next day I feel decidedly groggy and in the three years we've been on the road I've not had a cold

That all changed today as Manflu takes over and our activities are scuppered 

I can only manage a dodgy ride on 'Fozz' in to the town and a gentle amble round

We have WiFi and Nurse Nina on hand so some forward planning is done

We up sticks and drive the short distance to Königssee

What a fine location for a fuel station

Last time we came we went up to view 'The Eagle's Nest'

This time its a gentle sneezing amble around to the magnificent lake

As its reputedly the cleanest lake in Germany only electrically powered boats and rowing boats are allowed on it

We regret not taking the two hour boat trip but to be honest I was suffering and glad to get back to the van

Nurse Nina deserved one of these on our way back from a short walk in the hills

(The downside was two days later she starts with the same cold symptoms)

So this last week has been a little restrained on the activity front which is a pity as its stunning here and cries out for days of cycling. Still if you are under the weather this is the place for R & R...