Day 16 - Thu 12th July by Lauren & Louise.

THE BAVARIAN ALPS

After waiting for the bus on the same street 3 mornings in a row, CCDB tour group was looking for some entertainment during this wait. This morning’s laughs were had at our tour captain’s expense, as we watched him try his hand (or feet) at skipping (with a rather short rope).

After the usual jostle and confusion over who was sitting where, the mornings’ light-hearted mood continued with a fairy story from Trevor which detailed the heroic rescue of Aunt Frau by Knight P.N. from the tragedy of Sleeping Beauty (see the Extras pages for the complete story).

The bus trip just kept getting better as Michele told us about today’s game. We were to write down a challenge for the person next to us, which they would have to rise to during the next few days. After the cunning Michele had collected all the cards, she told us the catch...we had to perform the challenge that we set for our friend!! After much laughing & groaning, some of the challenges were fulfilled. This provided all with some great entertainment ranging from kiddies songs to the macarena - and who can forget Katherine’s beautiful rendition of "Wind Beneath my Wings" to Alex & the new and improved dance mix of "celebrate" thanks to Anthony and Pam. We look forward to more embarassment later on.

When we finally reached the small town of Eibsee, we stepped out to find it just a little chilly. We then boarded a cog train and then a gondola for the steep ascent to Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze. Peter, having had bravery practice last night, was the first to make the dangerous climb to the summit cross =- the actual highest point. He was followed by only a handful of band members, the rest choosing not to leave the "safety zone" to encounter the "alpine dangers" as described by a scary sign.

The trip down the mountain was a single, gut wrenching gondola trip that led us to our first hand encounter of the "finger-language barrier". Herbie had read Micheles 1:00pm signal (holding up one finger) to mean 2:00pm as in Germany they start counting on their thumb. When we finally got our lunch off the bus, we enjoyed a lovely picnic on Lake Eibsee, where some paddle boated and David P. had a swim.

Another round of group photos, before taking off for some sight-seeing, shopping, tobogganing, roller-skating and "sitting-down-on-the-grass-in-the-middle-of-nowhere-writng-in-this-daybook" in the town with the unpronounceable name Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Auf Wiedersehen

A few more of the memorable challenges:

Emma had challenged Michelle Swallow - to sing the "Toot Toot Chugger Chugger Big Red Car" song

Toni had challenged Alex - to sing "Incy Wincy Spider" with actions

Laura E. had challenged David G. - to dance the Heal & Toe Polka with Jill down the isle of the bus

Heather Arnold had challenged Jenny - to do "Home Among the Gum Trees" backwards