We would probably have had a go at climbing Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak, but the weather forecast for the next week is looking very ominous across the Alps and we would have needed at least one overnight stay in one of the mountain huts. We settled instead for the smaller, 1622m peak of Sonnenspitze meaning "sunny peak". I can't think why; particularly as we were soon to find ourselves caught in a thunderstorm on the way down, and what could only be described as a Bavarian monsoon on the cycle ride back to the start point (we had left our bikes locked to a tree at Schloss Linderhof).

It was worth the soaking though, as we had had an excellent hike along an attractive Alpine ridge, surrounded by jagged rocks, colourful flowers, and views down into the Graswang valley where we had already spent the night in a cosy farmhouse with three generations of family living there - this is a common arrangement in Germany.

The locals in Oberammergau were not so accommodating when they saw our wet clothes dripping on their doormats, and Saturday night there was a rather quiet affair. Home of the "Passion Play" and associated wood-carved souvenirs, it's a very conservative and highly religious town. Mittenwald, on the other hand is full of lively restaurants and authentic local music; it's just a pity that the famous violinmakers are not open until Tuesday.

It's disappointing too that we have only managed one walk in this area. I had hoped to do much more, but after spending a big chunk of yesterday in the swimming complex and spa at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, we are running short on wet-weather options. So the plan is to drive on through Austria tomorrow, and keep going until we reach somewhere dry.

Posted on 5th February 2015.