Fritzlar & Kassel

We settle down on the fine stellplatz at Fritzlar for what we think will be a few days whilst we await our parts from the UK

A really nice town this, recommended by Mick & Deb, complete with timbered houses and of course a Brauerie

This turned out to be a regular thing at around 11am

Brauhaus 1880 on the outskirts of town turned out to be a bit of a let down tbh

Bit overpriced for average food but the beer was stunning albeit expensive

Several walks in the surrounding countryside over the length of our stay saw us returning here at close of play for the 'SaisonBier' which was in a class of its own

A nice long ride out on Max one day brings us to another famous expanse of water, Edersee

And another dam that had a bit of rebuilding work done to it in the Forties

Look at the water level..

Way below where it should be at this time of year

The original construction work

Hardened anglers

Hardened walker...

This looked fun but I was escorted around its periphery

With no sign of a package arriving anyday soon we head off on Max to nearby Kassel for a wander around its beautiful park

A wander up in to the city and soon we discover a Flammenkuchen stall

This guy, for reasons best known to himself, thought it was my Birthday and treated us both to a glass of bubbly

After waiting around 9 days for a package that was sent in good faith a couple of weeks earlier we lose heart at Fritzlar having visited the Tourist Office each day with no joy

A decision was made to do a 100km jaunt due north to Salzhemmendorf and go visit the Ith Sole Therme for a day relaxing in 35 deg mineral water then drift back to Fritzlar to give the package a final chance to arrive...

Yes you guessed it, the damned thing arrived at the office the day after we'd left for the Spa

At least it arrived OK!

Balve & Medebach

In to Germany then and our first port of call is Balve

Not been here before so expectations were mixed tbh

Having parked up at a stellplatz next to the swimming baths we wandered in to town on what was my actual birthday thinking we could grab a couple of celebratory beers

After numerous coffee/cake shops were spotted and lots of walking later we knew for sure this town just doesn't do bars on their own

Not to worry coffee and cake it is then...

Next day we ascend the hill at the back of the site and begin our return to walking regularly with a good day's excursion through the hill to Sorpesee

Sheer distance to the dam using just our legs meant once we reached the actual reservoir we'd done enough for one day

Perhaps on another occasion we'll come on the bike and walk the shoreline to reach it

'Dambuster' enthusiasts will of course know this location as being bombed by 617 Squadron but alas with little detrimental effect 

The history of Operation Chastise makes good but grim reading as forty per cent of our guys perished in the raid (sadly along with a whole load of civilians and POWs)

Allied morale took a huge boost but the Germans were 'business as usual' after a fortnight

After a few days we move on to a favourite town of ours, Medebach

Beers are downed and a meal at 'The Piccolo' Pizzeria run by a friendly German couple topped off a great first day

While we are here we go walking every day as there's so many routes to take locally and the scenery is just beautiful

The weather is great and we visit the local village of Medelon and its coffee stop via the hills on two occasions

Romantic eh?

Atop a hunting gallery

She didn't know it but it led eventually the wrong way adding a good half hour to the walk

Dated memorials are tucked away all over the woods here

We are informed that some parts for the RV have arrived back in the UK and are about to be shipped out to us over here

Fritzlar seems a good delivery address so thats where we are off to next...