God's Country

Some of my British country folk seem to believe that God's Country is the UK and is under threat from foreigners. Bavarian's are not so narrow-minded. They KNOW Bavaria is God's Country and are only too happy to share it with anyone ....well so long as they behave and spend money. For heaven's sake, they even welcome the Prussian north Germans -got to have something to laugh about.

Why tradition/patriotism is even part of the Brexit debate is beyond me. You won't find a more traditional or patriotic place in the UK that even scratches at Bavaria. The difference is the Bavarians know after two millennia of war, death & destruction, we need to get on together in Europe - we all rely on each other. The success of each & every land can only benefit all. A poor Greek doesn't buy an expensive Bavarian BMW. And as for an EU state, what nonsense - not even a Lederhosen wearing Fritz would want to even try & convince Kostas to give up Sirtaki for a thigh bashing spoon dance.

Spent the day with Luna down on the Bavarian/Austrian border just below the famous "Disney Castle" Neuschwanstein which can just be seen at the very centre of the photo, We were to explore the smallish Hopfensee (Hop Lake) with its 8km shoreline & the village of Hopfen am See on its edge. Between the Hopfensee & the castle, hidden from view is a massive lake, the Forgensee which even has passenger ships. It is a man-made lake with a 30km shoreline built in my birth year 1954. It is emptied in autumn and then refilled when the snow melts in spring - a flood defence measure.

Was a dream day - the weather was lovely but not baking hot nor humid. Just sitting on a blanket in a meadow with a glass of cold Prosecco, fresh bread, cheeses & hams was a dream. The 3-hour walk was then a joy even if for 8.1km it took rather long. But the GPS tracker did record that we only moved for less than 2 hours of that. The rest was swimming  & photographing.

Interesting the different attitudes to access to water for recreational use. While Bavaria  (& I understand Scotland) guarantees everyone's right to access, in England this is not the case. The water itself may be used but you can't get to it without having a shotgun pointed at you.

Quite a few people around, the tourists from near and far, I enjoy hearing the different languages since Brexit started. Today was a "bridge" day where many locals take the day free as yesterday was a holiday, and thus have a long weekend. I think the only form of transport I didn't see was a horse and carriage to do the popular round trip. It is now almost mandatory for anyone spending time here to have a bike along but there are enough bike rental places in the village, everything from sit up & beg to e-MTBs and those 4 person pedal wagons.

I guess pedestrians swear at bikers & the other way around but actually, it was never an issue. The walk is on well-maintained tracks, some tarmac. There is a restaurant/cafe at the halfway point up above the lake but didn't take the trouble to walk up the meadow to it, nor to stop at any of the huge number along the main village promenade & beach.

Was sad to have to leave but was a lovely day. Meandered homeward, stopping off at two further places to walk with Luna so that she could get rid of all the water she had probably drunk inadvertently. Finally a delicious meal - yes Luna was fed under the table and a stroll enjoying a fresh organic ice cream before home.

I had opted to spend the day away. Just two days ago I was told there was a family gathering taking place at our place. The lateness of finding out about this - what now turns out to have been a several month-long plan - further confirmed I was persona non grata. A casual remark made towards the end of last year about how hypocritical the family is amongst itself - a view also held by the other two brothers-in-law - meant Angie cutting me off. I wasn't banned, indeed although I didn't learn who was coming, she did say her mother wasn't as she knows her appearance would have given me no choice. To save any hassle I disappear, although would be nice to see most of them again - it has been a while.

By the time we got home, there was one car still here which I didn't recognize. Possibly the invitation had included other Munich (assumed from numberplate) friends. Instead, I took to bed without saying hi, very content at having spent the day with a different group of friendly, cheerful people.

PS On Facebook, a short public video I made - somewhat wobbly but gives an idea. I think non-Facebook people can access it without registering. Lovely place for holiday. Loads of good B&B, farm-holiday, apartments and camping places directly on the various lakes around here & enough to do in the area to keep you occupied sightseeing for at least a week regardless of the weather.