Post 255: 11 May 2018, Tegernsee Walk and a Walk from Wildbath Kreuth to Wolfsshlucht
Victoria was at work in the morning and so I had some free time. I had planned to walk into Tegernsee and go to the Tourist Information Office. However, I woke up very early and decided first to see if I could get some dawn shots down by the lake. The reflections on the lake were stunning at that time.
The mist on the Wallberg mountain was ethereal. 
Every perspective seemed to be quite photogenic. It was an early start at just before 7.30am but worth it.
I then went back to my flat to have breakfast before returning to walk to the town. The first settlement to be founded in the valley was a Benedictine monastery near Tegernsee , established in the 8th century.
The older part of town is a delight and you see some very individual cars.
Ice-cream is very tasty here too!
The former Tegernsee monastery (founded 746) was the most important Benedictine Abbey in Upper Bavaria until 1803. The building is now owned by the descendants of the dukes of Wittelsbach. The catholic parish church St. Quirinus was a monastery church until 1803. Today the historic building is home to a restaurant with a distillery, the famous Herzogliche Braustuberi Tegernsee, the Herzoglich Bayerische Bauhaus Tegernsee and gymnasium. 
There are boat trips on the lake.
Birds and fish are in abundance in and around the lake
and later in the holiday we had fish caught in the lake, bought from a lakeside fish shop and cooked for me by Victoria. Accompanied by the traditional beer – it was delicious.
There is boating on the lake and some lovely properties overlooking it. 
There are also lots of benches. It was now warm enough for shorts. 
Tergensee reminds me of Keswick and Derwentwater, but on steroids!
After Victoria returned from work we had lunch. A typical lunch would consist of local cheeses, meats, salad and bread. Also some beer. All very tasty, healthy and fresh.
We then headed out to the nearby Krueth area, starting a walk at Wildbad Kreuth. It is not as bad as it sounds as bad means bath. 
We passed some buildings which used to be a bath house but is now used for occasional meetings of the Christian Social Union of Bavaria. 
We diverted to the memorial to King Max I. Joseph
We then had a delightful walk to a waterfall, even though occasionally getting wet feet crossing a stream as I only had trainers on (whose idea was that?), not my waterproof boots. 
On our descent we had a sumptuous cake and tea at a cafe at Siebenhutten. 
A delightful walk well guided by Victoria.
Miles Walked 11.8
Next blog – going to the top of Germany’s highest mountain Zugspitze at 9718 feet.
But first I had to get there and on driving to York station my first problem arose – geese! They were blocking the road until a caring drunk came along and moved them on. It is not only Bavarians that can drink beer. This chap must have been drinking until 5 o’clock in the morning.
It was a good job I had allowed plenty of spare time to get to the station. At least my train arrived on time at 5.55am. 
I arrived at Manchester Airport at 7.40am but my flight was not until 10.45am. Nothing like being early. I was determined not to miss my plane or holiday. I checked in my luggage and went through security and the security guard asked me to empty all the contents of my rucksack and take off everything but my ‘underpants’ (well that’s what it felt like). After filling 4 trays with the contents of my rucksack, 2 cameras, compeed, a first aid kit, a book or two, items of clothing (e.g. waterproof and body warmer) for the cold and wet of 6am in the morning, passport, money, travel documents, guidebook, watch, fit bit, spare glasses, mat for picnics in the countryside, etc etc. I said to him I thought I was travelling light. He smiled with one of those grins that say – right I will get this one and was not impressed. I had forgotten the golden rule of going through airport security – never joke with them.
I had bought a new rucksack for the trip as I didn’t want to let the country down by taking my old rucksack, which I have used for over 28 years and was showing signs of wear and tear. I couldn’t turn up in an upper-class recreation region looking like I had just come from off the Moors.
Eventually what looked like my plane arrived. 
I had decided to go for extra leg room at extra cost. However, that meant I was the one that, in an emergency, had to open the emergency door and throw it out of the plane when asked! If they ask me in German I wouldn’t have clue as to what they are saying. Auf Wiedersehen Pet is my limit. ‘Goodbye Pet’ as my last words would however seem appropriate.
I was soon up in the clouds having my neatly provided wrapped cheese sandwich and cup of tea. I now felt on holiday and about to embark on an adventure. My German walking friend and guide had already told me we could go to the top of the highest mountain in Germany when I had noticed she lived near it and I had asked if there was a cable car. I am not up to climbing up to over 9,00O feet.
I seemed to walk miles to find my luggage (was this a new long-distance walk?). The airport cleaning bill must be massive as everywhere was spotless. I then arrived at what appeared to be a train station. Crikey I must have gone wrong somewhere? I asked a member of staff where the luggage claim place was and he said get on the train thinking another idiot has just landed!
Next thing is which station do I get off at? Berlin, Hamburg or whatever? Fortunately there was only one station I think. When in doubt follow the crowd.
Tegernsee was on the signs and maps. Not far now. 
The sun was out and the views magnificent and so it was time for some ‘holiday’ posing. I have to say that the Bavarian welcome at the airport in traditional Bavarian dress, beats me welcoming people in York in jeans or Rohan Outdoor Clothing! Perhaps I should purchase Lederhosen Breeches? 
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Victoria also explained that she has her own mountain ‘Mount Fuji’ seen above and below, actually called Wallberg. She thought we could climb it during my 10 day stay. At 5650 feet (1722 metres) I smiled at her thinking ‘in your dreams’. The highest I have ever climbed is England’s highest mountain Scafell Pike at 3208 feet on the 21st October 1990. That had been tiring and I was now 28 years older. Of course I didn’t let her know of my doubts. British stiff upper lip and all that. 
There was just time to take a few more photographs as home-made strawberry cake was promised at ‘base’ in what appeared to be Arcadia. I had landed not just in Germany but on my feet in wonderland.
Victoria had not finished showing me around yet and took me to see a church and the council offices in Tegernsee. When the council offices look like that you know you have arrived somewhere special.
The day came to an end with a spectacular double rainbow in front of ‘Mount Fuji”. I have only seen this phenomenon a handful of times in my life. I was in a different world and over the next days I was to find it got better and better…………………………..
And what does Victoria get for all this? A Yorkshire Passport and a Tour de Yorkshire hat and hand clappers.
We hadn’t expected to meet wild boars at the start of the walk, but they were behind a fence.
Dragging Sid the Yorkshireman away from his ‘find’ we arrived at the former Aysgarth Station and the Freeholder’s Wood. This is a remnant of the ancient woodland that once covered Wensleydale and villagers of Carberby still have the right to gather wood; hence the name Freeholder’s Wood.
Then it was on to the delightful world-renowned higher Aysgarth Falls on the River Ure for a superb location for our coffee and banana break next to the falls.
Of great interest were three toilets for sale for offers in the region of £8,000. We later heard from a farmer that they they were sold for £14,000! The toilets include fishing rights. The mind boggles. Sid the Yorkshireman started to think that 20p for using toilets in the Dales was not such a bad price after all.
Then onto West Burton, which many say is the most beautiful in England. There are even carvings in the pavements!
However, the best was yet to come and, as as we left the village, we came across West Burton Falls, also known as Cauldron Force, on the Walden Beck. 
This was our lunch spot and one of the best ever as we admired the fall accompanied by a grey wagtail. 
A young couple with a dog went in the water, one accidentally, and got soaked. They are just behind the trees. There are few more romantic locations and of course William Turner recognised this with his sketches. 
It was hard to leave such a place, leave the Inn way and find a route back to the car. The waterfalls appearance changed with the changing light, giving it a ‘chameleon’ effect. 
A family must have been so entranced by the place as they left some start-right shoes and trendy socks. Why don’t I get sock like those?! Much more fun than mine. If you know who they belong to they are still on a bench near the falls.
In the autumn salmon swim up to the falls.
The path brought us to Sorrelsykes Park. According to a former farmer owner we met, three folly’s on the limestone escarpment were built partly to gather up stone lying on the ground in the area. They are now listed.
Continuing to Egley we passed thorough more garlic adorned woods
and crossed Hestholholme Bridge over Bishopdale Beck. Sid the Yorkshireman debated whether it was time for an early bath. 
We then came upon our third waterfalls, this time again on the River Ure. 
Our fourth falls were the Lower Falls. 
We then went passed St Andrew’s Church again and passed the imposing Yore Mill. This mill was built in 1788 and is a fine example of an early water-power mill complex located as it is beside the strong running River Ure. The flour, cotton and woolmill was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in the 1850s. It ceased production in the 1950s.
I was looking forward to Sid the Yorkshireman’s birthday treat he had promised me from early April and instead of a pint decided to have a Yorkshire Dales ice-cream instead, until we found that the cafe had run out! He was delighted as he thought he had got away with no expense for another week. 
However, the Information Centre further on had some and I was not to be denied for yet another week.
All that remained was a 3 mile walk past High Thoresby to Bolton Cattle. 
The end of one of the best walks I have ever done.
This is a must sought after award and includes a unique hat to be worn and hand clappers for when attending next years compelling Tour de Yorkshire cycle race. 
At the same time it was decided that Dan, who once persuaded Victoria and myself to venture into Lancashire, should not be awarded a Yorkshire Passport. It rained there on the same day it was sunny in Yorkshire, we got stuck in mud at an agricultural show and I had a fainting attack due to dehydration! 
Sid the Yorkshireman paid the £3 parking at Bolton Castle feeling quite pleased that the toilets there were free! I think he may have been ill. 
Before passing Dent’s Houses (as described on the OS map) to head off right along a path which quickly disappeared.
We eventually arrived at the road towards the youth hostel at Grinton Lodge. 
There were fine views towards our destination of Reeth. 
It was some years since I had stayed at Grinton Youth Hostel when snow was on the ground. On leaving the hostel, Gary’s car slid down the hill whilst I tried to get Radio 2 on his radio – he was not amused. I had warned him about going to the Dales in the middle of winter without winter tyres.
We could have stayed there all day, but we had to get on towards Reeth (seen on the right in the distance). 
We descended to Grinton. No snow on the road this time, but the big tree is still there! 
We passed the Bridge Hotel and St Andrew’s Church
Reeth expects residents and visitors to behave themselves! 
It was market day.
We left the road to head across the ‘Green Land’. This photograph has not been altered in anyway! No wonder England is called ‘this green and pleasant land’ – except that in this case it is a bog! 
We finally reached the summit of Greet’s Hill, which forms the watershed between Swaledale and Wensleydale. We had climbed to 555 metres (1821 feet). No wonder we were tired and both propped ourselves up for the photoshoot by using our trekking poles. 
We started descending to yet more former mining areas. 
Where there was a strange looking beetle which changed colour. 
We arrived back at Dent Houses. A possible life saver in bad weather as it is left open for visitors. Sid the Yorkshireman took advantage of it in the ‘lounge’.
I suddenly realised my spare small camera battery worth over £30 was missing from my camera bag. It must have slipped out somewhere. I walked on for about another quarter of a mile thinking it was lost and then suddenly spotted it on the grass ahead after 12 miles of walking! Miracles do happen!
Finally, we found a dragon
What had it got in it’s mouth? Yes someone who had dropped litter in Yorkshire! 
Arriving at Vauxhall Station, I am sure MI5/6 were hoping to recruit me as the next James Bond. That’s before I had drunk some gin and tonic. 
We eventually arrived in Dorking to Alan’s super garden and, before dinner, the welcome gin and tonic. 
There were even wild parakeets and pheasants in the garden. It is normally warmer in the south compared to Yorkshire, but this weekend was to prove an exception to the rule. At times it was freezing at 5-6 degrees! I was so glad I had put a Rohan body warmer in my case. 
Saturday 28th April
We then continued to what was Charterhouse Farm near Lewes in East Sussex. 
Alan had arranged a walking tour of the house, which was fascinating but no photographs were allowed. The Bloomsbury Group were associated with it and from 1916 it was the home of artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. Over the following half-century Charleston became the country meeting place of the Bloomsbury group of artists and intellectuals. Garnett, Clive Bell and Maynard Keynes lived at Charleston for considerable periods; Virginia and Leonard Woolf, E.M. Forster, Lytton Strachey and Roger Fry were frequent visitors.
Dan nearly had a heart attack through laughter when we started talking about whether I would be wearing the Lederhosen, the German National Costume, in Bavaria. He has a vivid imagination.
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