Slippery

A slowish start but then that's normal for us, all enjoying our company and getting the chance to banter live. The overnight snow had increased the anticipation for the day ahead and the sledges were being tested in and around the garden.

MrB quickly popped by to deliver some of his home-made victuals - honey, deer salami and deer pate. Last week he had been up in the area around Berlin wild boar shooting and with success. In exchange J had brought over a special pair of hunters gloves that MrB had wished for Christmas - nowadays even the hunters need gloves that are mobile phone touch screen compatible.

Finally we got the bus loaded and headed south again. I had been hoping we could go to the same village as yesterday as they have a wonderful mountain set up for sledging. A cable car where even dogs are allowed and then three toboggan runs each 3.5km long and even with snow cannons and special smaller vehicles to prepare the runs. Sadly though they are still in the middle of maintenance and the runs are closed.

So we went to a smaller set up at Immenstadt, the "Mittag" mountain with the chair lift starting just a few minutes from the town centre. A 5.2 km run starting at 1450m above sea level and descending about 700m. I had no idea what it would be like.

When we got there the four children - Dad, Uncle and grandchildren - opted for the toboggan run, while Kate, Auntie, dog Luna and myself went for the walk option. We had 5 sledges along, three traditional wooden ones (nowadays the most popular) and two plastic ones that Kate & J had last used in 1993! We should probably have simply hired a fourth wooden one - only cost 5€/day.

While I was trying to sort out my rucksack and bits, the snow came down in avalanches and the others were at the lift. I didn't have the chance to study the set up and before I knew it, the four of them disappeared up the mountain on the exposed double chair lift. I then looked at the map and layout and regretted they had gone for the summit rather than middle station option. I was worried they would never make it back in the storm.

Finally the message came that they were at the top, it was freezing cold and they were having warming cups of coffee and chocolate. I felt even worse. The girls and I set off along a track, Luna getting lost in the deep snow. We had gone about 200m when we came across a family on a small slope messing about with sledges. Kate looked at Laura and said "Come on, let's do it". Back to bus, collect the remaining plastic sled and a plate like contraction meant for small children and returned to the slope where there followed a lovely, hilarious session with the girls giggling wildly and Luna loving the runs up and down the slope.

Eventually we returned to the lift station and got a Glympse App of the other's progress. They had hardly moved it seemed. The guilt increased further. Then the first photos came and low and behold they were enjoying wonderful weather and having a great time.

We set off in to the town to find a cafe to get some warming beverage. A nice old fashioned German confectionery cafe (dogs allowed of course) where you choose the piece of cake or pastry you want from the display and it is then brought to you when the drinks are served. The girls had selected one piece of plum cake saying they would share it - it appeared divided on two plates. Some times these traditional places are wonderful.

While there checked on the downhillers progress and saw they were almost home. The girls took off at speed while Luna and I slowly packed up and followed.

Got to the bus to see four very sweaty and happy faces, grinning from ear to ear and telling tales of heroic experiences. Later was to see some of the video & photo material. Looked fantastic and if we ever have the chance again, I suspect all of us will be making the trip.

There was no more time as the lift stops at about 15:30 and not even the chance for a bit of skiing. But very, very happy , we boarded the bus back home and enjoyed a makeshift dinner, beer and wine, lots of repeated stories of the dangerous black run. Another late night despite the need to be up at 5:00.

Extra photo, some of the shots Dad and Uncle took of their record breaking run.