I’m off to the Kochelsee with my good friend Miriam and her boyfriend, Moritz, who’s our chauffeur for the day. After days of rain in Munich, the sun is actually shining and I’m dying to flee the city for some fresh air and beautiful scenery. I can’t wait to see some old-fashioned Bavarian architecture and experience a little bit of ‘gemutlichkeit’ in what is a very traditional part of Germany.
And it’s not long before I’m rewarded. Oh how pretty - the wooden balconies, the chalet-type roof and the sparkling window panes (this owner is clearly very house-proud).
Unbelievably the sun is shining. I ‘ve arrived in Munich in what is probably the worst summer weather in 30 years. Day after day of grey clouds, ominous dark skies, thunder and lightening. There are days I’m walking around with a sweater, and sleeping with an extra blanket at night - that’s how bad this August has been. But today we’re blessed with fine weather, and it’s the perfect opportunity for my pale-skinned friends to work on their respective tans (since I lived in Israel and have daily access both to the beach and months of relentless sunshine, I’m less bothered about the colour of my skin…)
There is something wonderful about the air here. I mean, like any mountain air it’s a pleasure to breathe it in but this is somethign spectacular. I feel completely invigorated. Each gulp is simply wonderful. The water is crystal clear too and in the background loom the Alps. The colours seem so vivid today - it’s a vignette of sheer beauty.
The other thing that’s great about these trips around Bavaria is that you’re never ar from a Beer Garden. In these Corona times, no-one wants to share a table with us so we’ve plenty of space to spread out. Moritz (a true Bavarian, born in Regensburg and a lover of his culture) can’t say no to some local beer. Miriam settles for a pretzel with a strange cheese spread (which I don’t care for, but who am I to mock local tradition?). The rest of the menu on offer is very typical of the area - meat, meat and more meat. Since I’m a veggie, I decide to pass and make do with a litre of ‘Johnasesbeeren’ - a delicious red fruity drink, not too sweet, but slightly less tart than cranberries. They’re in season and a great way to quench your thirst
We stroll back slowly to the car. The sun is fading and people are starting to leave, ready for their drive back to Munich, but there’s still people out on the water. I sit under a tree for a moment, contemplating the beauty of it all. If you’re an nature enthusiast, living in Munich or the surrounding area is incredible, because you’ve everything you could possibly desire on your doorstep. Maybe in my next life I’ll come back as an Apline climber, and enjoy a few adrenalin-filled weekends on these majestic mountains?
This fabulous day is rounded off by a scenic drive home, bypassing some of the autobahn for a meander through local villages. Moritz, true to his word, has decided to introduce me to the world of Bavarian music and even has a playlist! There seems something fitting about this ‘room pay’ music as we cruise along winding roads, past old churches and wooden-timbered houses. It’s charming and fun and completely ‘gemuttlich’ (as the Bavarians would say) and it’s just too tempting not to record. Here’s the result…
A thumbs up to days out in the Alps!