The mountain is for tomorrow. We are in Peiting but it was all about Shongau today. Rain was predicted for the afternoon so we packed our ‘rather be dry gear’. The ‘half as huge’ as the Danube river (that would rather be wet) flowed gently beside us and was yet another colour – not muddy, not clear, but a soft green. Earlier on we had followed a much smaller river which tucked itself in beside the large one. Sorry, but In Germany they seem reticent to name the rivers, not sure why.

It took us 5 kms to get to Shongau and we were in for a surprise. It was high up on a steep hill. I know I talked of the steep roads in Harburg, and Donauworth was up a little, as was Rothenburg, but this was different. This town had left the villagers far below to make their own way up, but there was parking. I guess this is a consequence of getting close to the Alps

This village followed the theme of recent villages – high buildings with sharp rooves and painted with soft yellow, pink, green and blue paints. It is walled but I don’t think it was in ‘walking around condition’, but great views just from the hill itself. We missed the timing to see the renowned paintings in the church but took the time to just wander. Maybe two of the reasons for this town not charging exorbitant prices are that people don’t like factories in their photos and to see them hovering above and behind handsome houses was unsettling. 

The clouds to our north were discussing where to strike first. We had a little jump on them but not enough, however we had our rain clothes and half way home we used them. The rain must have been striking up stream, for after dinner tonight, the quiet flowing rivers were racing along, stumbling as they hit obstacles and spurting white foam into the rain. 

I must say one last thing about these rivers. They are everywhere in Peiting and made more obvious when they are drunk with water. It is truly a wonderland of rushing waterways and let’s hope they never find a cure for drunken rivers! Tomorrow we don’t want rain, or we won’t be allowed to climb our mountain, but then it can rain again because we never want these German rivers to get sober.