Homeward bound

We have enjoyed a wonderful week with Max and Janine's aunt and uncle who have killed us with kindness. Krumbach is a small town south of Munich in the typically picturesque Schwabish countryside. It is about two hours to the mountains, and Walter drove us to the beautiful Garmish where we took the cablecar up to the Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak. We were blessed with the most beautiful day possible, and the scary cablecar gave us our first taste of the view to be had, with fir trees fringeing the alpine lake, the Eibsee. The last section of the cablecar ride was almost vertical, with sheer snowy cliffs on either side of us, and the ground wa-a-ay below. From the Zugspitze we had endless views of the alps on either side, quite spectacular. We headed back down via the cog railway through a long mountain tunnel and met Walter at the station. We drove through tiny mountain villages dwarfed by the huge mountains, all very beautiful with their chalets with bright flowers in the window boxes and an old church with a thrusting steeple dominating the townscape. We visited Schloss Lindehof and Fussen, a very busy town. We also spent a terrific day with Walter and Gerti's son Philip and his wife Isabel where we had lunch at a castleoverlooking the town of Abstatt. And now we head for home from Frankfurt, bringing Walter with us for a holiday. Some memorable moments: Janine at Oktoberfest drinking one litre beers: I've only had two. Max in his lederhosen: tell me if my flaps aren't done up. Tamara when we were on our way to the train station to go to Bratislava: so where is the boat? Karl every five minutes: I've been there before. Janine when John was lost in a crowd of 200 000 people at Oktoberfest: Not happy. Tanya every five minutes: I just said that! Max in response: Did you say something? Tanya and Tamara when Karl and Max tried on their lederhosen: you look fantHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Italien tourist to Max in his lederhosen in public: Which way to Oktoberfest? Tamara: I don't do stairs. Karl: I do not have a bald spot! John: Hey look what I found (an old bottle; a piece of flint; an orange slug; a stinky mushroom; a spade; another spade; an old fishing line; a field mouse house; a worm; a hat; a trench coat). It was a fabulous time, everyone was so generous and hospitable which was much appreciated. chuss!