The day was not a good weather day but that wasnt going to interfere with our plans to at last see Neuschwanstein Castle in the mountains outside Fussen. However let me first describe Fussen.
Fussen is a 2 hour train ride outside of Munich and on approach you see the snow capped Alps, green fields and wooden houses. Basically if you were to google image a picture of Bavaria you'd either get a picture of Fussen or have an instant understanding about it. Colourful small churches, shops in with signs in Gothic writing. You get the idea.
Anyway Friday morning we set off early ish after our breakfasts to walk the supposedly 40min walk to King Ludwigs castles. The journey took longer and the rain came down for occasional brief spells. But no matter being in Bavaria was enough for me. The walk took over an hour before we came to the first of Ludwigs castles, Hohenschwanngau, by Alpsee lake. Straight away you see the obsession with swans, which quite frankly i find weird. We didn't pay to get in, waking round the garden was enough as were the views across the lake. After we'd done that we made our way to Neuschwanstein castle, the castle which inspires all fairy stories. Unfortunately it was under refurbishment so the first view we had was scaffolding. The walk up wasnt for those with a heart condition nor for those who'd just scoffed a large apple strudel. On arrival I was less than pleased really. I know my whinging on tourism must be getting old but this took it to another level. Shunted in like cattle into our organised tour number of 435. The tour guide was below average if you could hear her. Also Neuschwanstein is beautiful but the building has no history behind it as a functioning building. It's design was to look purely to look pretty. King Ludwig himself only stayed 170 days in the castle, after he was moved to an asylum and killed or committed suicide, who knows (or cares). After that effectual end of the line, the place became a museum 6 weeks later. Therefore it has always just been that a museum. I think Neuschwanstein is lovely to look at from far away, even more so without scaffolding, but up close it represents nothing much and I find that a bit hollow.
After Neuschwanstein we took a walk up to this eerie bridge overlooking a waterfall. From there was the best vantage point of overlooking the castle. Then we took a hike back and this was my favourite part of the day as we found ourselves away from the tourists and had the hike pretty much to ourselves. The walk took us all downhill to the ticket shop past waterfalls and pine trees. On reaching the bottom we saw the boring quick route back to Fussen or a walking sign say 25mins to Schwannsee (Swan lake) and 1.5hours to Fussen. So glad Sarah was in agreement to take the longer scenic way back. After reaching Swan Lake we found piers designed for swimming off in warmer weather. For a brief second or two I considered stripping to boxers and jumping in, however dipping my hand in the lake and feel it literally ache with cold for some minutes after, I considered this a stupid idea and remained clothed.
The walk back was pretty much all to ourselves. Another brief rainfall timed perfectly with this quaint little cover which Sarah and I huddled under until it passed. From there up some uncomfortably steep hills then down into Fussen. Probably the best hike in a while with the crystal clear lakes and snowy mountain back drop.
That was Fussen, next over the border to Salzburg. My recurring cold says wouldn't an early exit to istanbul be an idea and chill there cheaply for a few weeks ? However, my eyes see the mountains out this train window and I need to say goodbye to all of Europe before I leave it. One thing I've noted when I look on my passport. I'm not even slightly proud of the British Citizen bit, but the EU Citizen bit makes me immensely proud that I am part of this. I can (with considerable effort) legally live here now, and while I'm not taking this offer up, I'm still happy the offer is there. I never want to hear the sneering British term "euro trash" again. Even if I say it!
No comments:
Post a Comment