Days 7 & 8
High on Alpine air, we left Santa Maddalena and headed back through Austria, travelling through mountain tunnels until we eventually arrived in Germany.
We headed north through the area around Lake Constance, catching glimpses of its turquoise waters twinkling tantalisingly in the distance. For a moment, we thought we’d drifted into a steampunk setting when a Lake Constance zeppelin cruised through the sky right above us.
Then came the vineyards. Rows upon rows of grapevines, both black and white varieties, stretching across the landscape. So many of them that we made a mental note to pick up some local wine.
Eventually, we arrived at the Black Forest and the campsite where we’d be staying for the next two nights, near the village of Alpirsbach. We received a friendly welcome from the owner, who promptly gave us free beers from the local brewery.
We pitched right next to the river, which was idyllic. Fish swam beneath us and dragonflies flitted about as we made dinner. Then a kingfisher made a cameo appearance, which felt extra special.
And, hallelujah, we had a peaceful night.
The Barkening didn’t exist here.
There were no church bells nearby either. Just the wonderful sound of the river moving beside us.
Bliss.
We spent our second day lazing by the river in the sun before taking a walk into Alpirsbach via a forest route. Thoroughly rested, we enjoyed another couple of local beers and bought some local wine.
And so, our European road trip began to draw to a close.
Day 9 was spent travelling through France, making our way towards Le Shuttle. Motorways, toll booths and flat landscapes didn’t make for the most inspiring day, but by then we were firmly on the homeward stretch.
Then, on Day 10, we arrived back in England and made the final journey home.
After nine countries, ten days, countless kilometres, mountain passes, bears, storms, dogs, bells, owls, cats, cows and one very memorable black dog called Zoltan, the road had finally brought us back to where we started.
Or perhaps, given the title of this journey, where we were always destined to end up.
Home.
R. H. DIXON 