Garmisch-Partenkirchen is in Bavaria ("the Texas of Germany"), and was originally two towns before Hitler decided they should be one for the 1936 Winter Olympics. They're still complaining about this, but the beautiful buildings nestled under the snowy peaks means that no one's too upset. The nearest city is Munich, where we arrived and went straight to beer hall, complete with giant tankards and a brass band. After that it was down the Autobahn at ridiculous speed - "The car has a limiter," Vince complained, as his sensible family vehicle topped out at 183km/h.
The big thing around here is skiing. I've never understood it myself, getting dragged up a mountain only to slide down it. Why not just stay at the bottom and save time and money? Christine understood, and so organised some apres-ski without the ski, where the adults stood on the slopes with beers and cocktails watching the kids sledge.
Instead of Pancake Day (the civilised way to celebrate Shrove Tuesday) the Germans have "carnivale" which involves drinking beer, as usual, but this time wearing funny costumes. I've been burnt before, by Christine's 80s-themed New Year bowling night...where we were the only people in the bowling alley 80s-themed. But no, everyone in town was dressed up, including some very strange bodiless dancers and mask-wearing accordion players. When in Garmisch!
All too soon our quick trip was over, but not without a visit to the local thermal baths, the largest in the world! This is definitely an impressive place, where you can buy cocktails from the swim-up bar and float around drinking them, then send the kids off to ride water slides while you soak in the hot pools. There's even a clothing optional area, but you have to pay extra for that. As I can literally take my clothes off for free whenever I want, I skipped that part.
Thank you Muckers for a wonderful trip, with many more to come. Because you can never escape.
The old band back together.
Some are taller than others now.
A famous clock in Munich. We waited a long time in a crowd to watch it chime. It was underwhelming.
Pretzels, much better!
Hannah on her third litre of the morning, "Just to take the edge off."
My California baby. What happened?
This is what skiing is all about (ie no skiing).
But some sledging.
JJ, always ready to race.
Claire, one and done.
"Dress up for the evening!" said Christine. "People will love it!!" No one noticed.
Mainly because there were people who looked like this around.
Pete's kid's meal: pork, with a lollipop stuck in it.
Not at all alarming.
Garmish-Partenkirchen. Yeah, nice.
