Isny Land

Wednesday 17 July 2013

Whilst we patiently wait for the Dethleffs grand tour tomorrow we thought we would spend the morning cycling around Isny. We set off at about 09.30 leaving the camp site down a long straight road with factorys on either side. Turned left at the top of the road and it was straight down to a roundabout. At the roundabout we found the Dethleffs showroom, it had just about all their range on show and we looked around the various Motorhomes with jaws wide open. They had some pretty spectacular eye candy I can tell you!

We actually spent quite a long time at Dethleffs, but in the end we headed off into Isny. Isny is a very nice town, modern with more than a splattering of older properties. Beautifully kept and adorned with flower arrangements. I guess it is a typical Bavarian working town, it had all the shops you would expect including many nice outdoor cafes. I think it's a place you could become very comfortable in. We liked it.

After lunch (back at Bertie) we made our way to McDonald's to try to update the blog. Unfortunately, as usual it was hopeless, too slow and complicated to get on in the first place. All we managed to do was download the text leaving the photos for another time. On the way back we couldn't help but pop into the Dethleffs showroom, just in case we missed something important. We hadn't!

Dinner was cooked in our new Romoska, ideal for when we are on electric hookup. We cooked outdoors using the external electric socket. Our Swiss neighbours were curious about our cooker. They were at Dethleffs to get a new water tank fitted as they found something oily in it causing a lot of damage. Not their own doing of course, a shame. We had pork chops with apricots, very nice.

That's it.

Thursday 18 July 2013

It was with great excitement that we awoke this morning, as today is the day we go on the tour of the Dethleffs factory here in Isny. It all kicked off at 09.30 at the 'Goods In' entrance. A very modern and very red high tech shed. There was about twenty or so of us mostly adults but a few poor kids with their rents. There were also two dogs carefully placed in their owners special back pack doggy bags. We were all given badges and after a bit of a chat in German the content of which meant nothing of course but, we knew that would be the case so fair enough.

We were taken across the car park, where the basic Fiat chassis are stored awaiting the commencement of the build and into the works canteen. We all sat down and on offer on the tables were pretzels and flasks of coffee. Unfortunately by the time we got to have our cups filled it was all gone. Someone did make a half hearted attempt to grab the attention of our host but it went unanswered. In the end we had a flask given from another table with the dregs in the bottom. I offered most of the contents to the lady opposite and Petra and I had a mouthful each. Mind you the pretzels were nice. 

Our host then did a Powerpoint lecture which again was in German so mostly went over our heads. By the looks of it, it was all about the history of the company and how many units it's made over the years. On the table was an earpiece receiver which we were supposed to put on. There seemed little point, what we did get out of the lecture was that there was no smoking, no touching, no phones and no photography. The latter being the major disappointment but it is a bit obvious really.

Once those in need were given the opportunity to have a comfort break, we were off to see how it's all done and what a treat it was. We started in the stores where we climbed some stairs to a dexian racking floor and saw row after row of bits and pieces all neatly organised into numbered isles. We saw loads of things that we recognised from the van and it was fun looking at how much stock they carry. From there we went to the cabinet making department and to the training school where boys who quite honestly looked only 10 were making real furniture out of real wood. Things like bedside cabinets and boxes. All the time our host was chatting away to the rest of the group but we didn't really mind. Yes, it would have been nice to be included but what can you do.

Next we walked around the department that made the panels for the vans a fascinating procedure of Computer controlled cutting machines making perfect cuts every time. The panel would then be laminated with ply and a dense foam added for insulation.  Off to another area where the external window and door holes were made and the interior finished wooden sheeting completed the sandwich construction.

We followed the process around the factory watching the vans' progress along the conveyer belts. It was fascinating to see what was a bog standard Fiat Ducatto chassis and cab turn into a luxury motorhome. At one stage we stopped for about 10 minuets and watched as the team put the roof on. It arrived from above them on a rail held up by suction. It was offered up, glued, sealed and stapled into place. Each man knew his job and it all happened with expert precision.

Enough, we had a fantastic time going around the factory and it brought home to us what a good van we own. We had no idea what effort and organisation it took to build one especially when you realise that each van is made to the customers individual requirements. And, so many components! Thousands of them each as important as the rest. It was rather sad when we emerged into the daylight and blistering sun where we had started and the tour came to a sudden end. I handed the badges and ear pieces  back to our host and thanked him saying I hadn't understood a word he had said. He didn't understand me either so touché. He gave us a Dethleffs  DVD, in German too! 

Outside it really was hot 31c, we made our way back to Bertie and we both agreed that he was looking his age compared to the brand spankers but, we like him dents an' all. A bit of lunch followed and once we had serviced the van we were off. We have had a great two days at Isny, we have had free showers, toilets, servicing facilities, camping for two nights, a look around the factory, time to admire the new vans, a sip of coffee and pretzels all completely free. We have even had a good look around Isny itself and sampled the Curry-worst and Frits after 30 years since the last time. Not bad really.

On the road, we were only traveling 34 km to the Lake Constance area and a town called Lindau. It is an island town approached by bridge that was a fishing settlement in Roman times. It has a 13 century lighthouse and a marble statue of a lion - the symbol of Lindau. 

We parked up at a car park outside a campsite for €10 which gave us the run of the campsite including showers and washing facilities that we took full advantage of in the evening. In the mean time it was out with the Brompton twins and we were off along the cycle tracks to Lindau town centre.

The ride in was flat if not a bit hot. It followed the railway line which we picked up straight from the car park it was about 4 km in all to the centre and harbour area. The town centre is typical of what we have come to expect, large buildings once belonging to the wealthy, now shops. Beautifully kept clean streets with a street cafe culture. A delight to be in. Not a single sign of a pound-land, costa, nail manicure or charity shop. No money lending, no trendy noisy wine bar just quiet civility, people minding their own business. We feel very safe here.

In the town square was a fine statue of Neptune and on a corner building a mighty fine statue of the Devil, hooves an' all. The Marina area is lovely a raised wall walkway which protects the boats contained within. At the end of the wall is the marble statue of the Lion and on the opposite wall to the entrance to harbour is the lighthouse. Looking out across the lake you could see in the distance the Alps peeping through the mist. It was a shame it wasn't a crystal clear day but it was soooooo hot. We stayed as long as we could bear but in the end cycled back into the relative shade of the towns streets. We liked Lindau it has a lot of character.

On the way back to Bertie we stopped off at a camping shop and bought a solar shower, three spare candles for our special night light and a high pressure hose for the Cadac gas BBQ. 

It's been a busy day and were were tired by bed time, we need to get up early tomorrow as we are going to King Ludwig's castle (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) really looking forward to that.

Friday 19 July 2013

Schloss Neuschwanstein to give it its proper name is only one and a half hours away from Lindau, back in the direction we came in yesterday and the same again in distance. To take full advantage of the day we were up at 06.30 and on the road by 07.30. Not bad even by our standards. The weather was glorious and already warm, sunny and fresh as a daisy. It's going to be a good day today.

Schloss Neuschwanstein is set amidst magnificent mountain scenery high above the Forggensee, Alpsee and Schwanhigh. The fairy-tail castle was built in 1869-86 for the eccentric Bavarian King Ludwig II. He later met with a mysterious and sudden end as a good swimmer it was a surprise to find him floating face down in the local lake.

The castle is made out of pale grey limestone and draws from a variety of historical styles, some of them theatrical in my view. To approach the castle there is a steep 30 minute walk from the nearby village of Hohenschwangau. We parked Bertie in a big camper car park, locked and loaded the Jester (our rucksack) with food and drinks and set off on the climb. First we had to get our ticket and book in for the guided tour. €24 later we were on our way with an appointment set for 12.1 for a guided tour. The climb is steep and they do warn you of this. It is one mile from the town to the castle with a stop over half way for drinks, ice creams and little badges you can stick on your walking stick. 

After a hot climb it was good to arrive at the top and take a view of the castle still a little above us, it but it looms high above and is resplendent in its beautiful grey stone. There is a viewing platform nearby that takes advantage of the front elevation and also over the countryside in opposite direction that were quite simply breathtaking. As we had plenty of time to spare we walked around the castle to the famous bridge and the best view of the castle you can get without the aid of a helicopter.   

After a very pleasant walk back dodging the Chinese fluffy toy on an expanded aerial tour guide and their happy flock, we made our way back to the observation area and had an early lunch. 12.10 we were in the queue to go through the turn style. The tours go through every 10 minutes so if you miss your slot you have had it. No refund and No exchange. We had a tour guide who quite frankly might just as well have spoken in his mother tongue German, he had a really deep voice and with the echo of the room it was very difficult to understand. He did not give value for money so thank goodness we did some reading before we went in.

The castle is very dark and was never completely finished. When King Ludwig II the second was bumped off  found drowned in the lake the building work was stopped. What was finished was done to a very high standard and cost a fortune. Some say it was because of his extravagance that he had to go. Anyway there was certainly a cover up. 

There is a lot climbing to do in the castle and you begin with a steep climb up four floors of the tower into a very dark room that had elaborately painted walls. We went past the servants quarters which looked very comfortable and onto a succession of rooms belonging to the King. They all had a similar theme, painted walls, beautiful carvings on doors and furniture. The bedroom was something to see. Magnificent drapes and what a bed. The guide stated that it took 10 carpenters 10 months to build it. I can believe it. 

The King had a love of swans and they are everywhere in the wall decorations on the door handles and in the pottery. I have to confess it all looked a bit like a set from a Hollywood film and I think that was the intention. Ludwig loved Wagner and he tried to incorporate set designs into the design of the castle. At one stage after the bedroom we went into a stone cave. It was completely fabricated but looked quite genuine.

After saying goodbye to our guide who rushed off to collect his next herd of followers we had to go down several flights of stairs and two gift shops emerging with relief into the sunshine. It might have taken 40 minutes to get up but it only took 15 to get down. We found a short cut that took us straight to the car park. 

We really enjoyed our time at Schloss Neuschwanstein but to be honest for us it was the castle that was the star. The location is extraordinary and you can understand why the castle was built there. I would go to the castle again tomorrow but €24 to go in? No I would not, but of course you have to it, how else do you discover things. It is a tad over commercialised but it is well organised and 35 minutes inside was more than enough for us.

So, back at the van we set up the TomTom for Bad Tolz about 100km away to a nice looking site on the side of the river. The route was of course beautiful. Windy roads leading to small mountain villages nestling in rolling green meadows of lush green grass and wild flowers. Blue skys and white fluffy clouds followed us all the way. We arrived at Bad Tolz at about 15.30 and immediately got out the chairs and sat on the riverside watching the gin-clear water go by under the shade of the trees watching the youths having fun in the water and we relaxed.   

Saturday 20 July 2013

So now it's the weekend of the 4th week since we left the UK, and just over a year and two
months since we effectively became homeless to a life devoted to travel and enjoying ourselves.Time has flown by and we have done so much. We have travelled a fair way some 16,000km last year and 6000km this year alone. perhaps now is a good time for a moment of reflection. 

Those that read the blog will know that our first year was spent in 'Campy', our silver all tricked out Bilbo T5 conversion. We really loved that van but it was too small for winter travel and therefor not an all year round vehicle. Great for weekending, holidaying in but living in, as we do not want to rent for the winter again Campy was not for us. We really have no regrets whatsoever in going down that route however. As we did after all have a great first summer in Cornwall which we couldn't really do now and it confirmed to us we could settle into the full time camping lifestyle. Yes it cost us to swap the van to Bertie but we think was money well spent. Campy gave us the taster but we are cutting our teeth on Bertie. Each day, each camping place in each country we visit gives us more experience and the confidence to carry on.

Make no mistake we both love this life on the road and neither of us would rather be doing anything else right now. We feel the shackles of work that tied us down have been well and truly shattered and our eyes have been opened to other cultures and ways of life of our neighbouring countries. We like Europe a lot. It is a world apart from the UK and the complicated lives we chose for ourselves there politically, socially, and monetary. Out here in camper wonderland it really doesn't matter, we have no politics and very little money for that matter but we can put all to the problems of the world to back of our minds try to live within our means and get on with living our lives. It is liberating.

We have a policy of not making any proper plans where to go, yes we know we are meeting Josie and Paul in Venice in August and we are booked onto a campsites for the winter in Calpe Espania but, where we go in between we have no real idea. We love that, it makes life more spontaneous, like when we simply turn Bertie around in Holland to return to Belgium to see Greta and Luc. We wouldn't have missed that weekend for the world, it cemented a good friendship. We have our dinner at night and once washed up ground the beans, made the coffee and sat down to enjoy it with the one very special chocolate each we plan where to go tomorrow. Sometimes it's obvious sometimes not. We sometimes head off in the wrong direction and have probably missed loads of interesting or important places but, honestly it really doesn't matter. We hope to be doing his for many years to come so surely we will be back here again. Yes we could do with more money so we could eat out more and perhaps treat ourselves to excursions etc but what price freedom. It's a small price to pay. 

Have we changed? Yes we have we have both lost weight, Kev the most we are both a bit browner - a by product of the outdoor life. We are defiantly healthier, neither of us have been ill once. But most importantly we are relaxed, carry no stress and are happy with our lives and each others company. 

I  am writing this on my iPad sitting on the bank of a beautiful crystal clear river in the shade of a row sycamore trees. In the middle of the shallows is a long white shale bank shimmering with heat. That's where the brave languish in the full glare of the sun and the children jump in swept along by the current. on the opposite side of the river is a steep high embankment covered in trees. At one spot the land has given way and the trees lie at the bottom in a crumpled dying pile. Its just more fun for the kids to grab on to. We are completely surrounded by all nationalities, all that is except for British, we hardly ever see a UK plated vehicle in fact the last one we saw was a VW Golf on the Autobahn in north Germany. I have no idea why, it is so beautiful here in Bavaria, do the Brits just think of it as a winter destination? Surely not, so, where are they? 

As for today, we cycled in to the town of Bad Tolz today. It's only less than half a kilometre away and is a traditional Bavarian town situated on a hill with beautifully painted houses, buildings, shops and churches. After we looked around We sat in a street cafe under a large umbrella fending off people's interest in the Brompton twins and enjoying the moment. I can assure you life doesn't get any better and long may it continue.

Sunday 21 July 2013

What fantastic weather we are having, it has been 3 weeks of glorious weather and today is no exception. You can tell what the weather is doing without even getting out of bed. Above our bed is a small sky light, if it is black and wet it is raining (stay in bed), if it is grey it is going to rain (stay in bed), if it's white we could be in luck (get up) but if it is blue yippee sunshine all the way. It has been the latter for ages and we have come to expect it as a norm. Fantastic blue skies and hot days - now that's what it's all about.

Last night we went to bed quite tired. It was a bit warm and sticky but I can remember drifting off to the sound of a Bavarian band playing at a party not that far away. Their music is quite unique and easily recognisable, they even threw in a few yodel  lay hay's for good measure

This morning we were determined to go for a cycle ride down the river. We had seen on a local notice board that there was an attraction we wanted to look at. The river washes down from the mountain small boulders which locals collect together and make huge pyramids out of them. From the picture it looked like there was a few of them so why not take a look. We set off going against the flow of the river and soon left the town behind us. Now, according to the map the rocks were not that far away but we cycled and cycled and no rocks were found. We kept seeng signs for them but the distance seemed to be going up not down. Anyway after about 10km we gave up and came back. It really was no great hardship as the cycle was lovely, flat shady, cool and beautiful. Petra thought it was one of the best cycle rides she had ever been on. When we got back to the map we discovered the stones were in fact 22km away, too far for the Brompton twins. 

We were contemplating what to do next when we heard a marching band start up, we pushed our bikes up to the road above and the bridge over the river. Looking towards the town centre we visited yesterday we saw the band approaching. It was a quite a big band and they had some very interesting instruments. The front part consisted solely of drummers. Behind them were the flag bearers and behind them the 'old boys' with there rifles on there shoulders. They all looked very smart in their brown uniforms.

Following on from the uniforms came a horse drawn carriage with some important looking people in and after them all the locals in their traditional dress. They were all ages from young children to beautiful looking girls and handsome men through to the elder statesmen and women of the town all looking resplendent. We followed the parade to a small square where we did feel we were encroaching a bit. We asked a local what it was all in aid of, apparently it was to celebrate the 60 years of service the local Priest who had given to the community. How fitting. The finally was the 3 gun salute given by the 'old boys'. What a noise that was, everybody was laughing and really enjoying the moment, I thought the guns were de-commissioned and had no idea they would actually fire. They even had an officer in charge who yelled out the instruction to FIRE....

After all that excitement we rode our bikes to the part of the town not visited by the tourists and found a beautiful small lush green park overlooked by the town's Assembly rooms. A very grand looking building with a large curved front and a delightful summer house. The gardens were lawned with flower beds containing large brightly coloured flowers and a circular water feature with a fountain. We sat eating our lunch on a bench bathed in dappled light from the shade of the trees above. So there we sat content whilst the sound of traditional Bavarian music wafted our way.       

Returning to Bertie it was now really hot. Too hot to sit outside the van, it really is like a desert in the car park. Surprisingly cool in the van though. We spent the afternoon in the relative cool of the river bank under the protective shade of the trees.

Towards the end of the evening we were watching the water go by when three large inflatable easy chairs floated by. Obviously meant for the job they drifted with the flow trailing all the owners possessions around them in sealed floating containers. It was quite a site to see and looked like a lot of fun. One of the lads was warring a captains peaked cap.