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...