Lake Constance

We decided to spend a few days chilling out and acclimatising by Lake Constance on the southern border. We set off from Ulm first thing, but ran into a little trouble straight away when Brett took a wrong turn (it was actually his very first turn) and decided to drive along some pedestrian footpaths in a park for about 15 minutes. It was hard not to laugh as we got stuck into a 10-point turn in the middle of the park, with no shortage of strange looks coming our way...

Ferry

Finally by the lake, we spent the first day lazing around and walking a little bit to find out where we could watch the World Cup matches, and how to ferry across to Switzerland if we wanted to. Was pretty enjoyable for me just sitting outside in the sun, looking across the lake at both the Swiss & Austrian Alps.

Lake Constance - cold and rocky

Next day I indulged myself with a shower for a hefty 50 cents per 6 minutes of hot water. Believe me I tried the free cold shower, but it was simply not an option. Brett continued his reign of destruction by smashing a plate, and we discovered that melted plastic from when he torched the thermast had now clogged the sink in the campervan. Fortunately for us there was a local Super Handyman (who we later found out was owner of the camping place), and he sprung into action with an array of elaborate plungers - we're talking hi-tech looking things with buttons and triggers. He was not perturbed when these failed to clear the blockage, because obviously he knew he had an ace up his sleeve... he walked off, and soon after he pulled up in his Audi station wagon with an air compressor! Suitably impressed, we watched him fire it up and give the sink a few blasts - problem fixed.

Me with some locals

He wasn't done yet. Later in the day we were in search of some internet action but it was 3.5km away in Immistad (and we are lazy). We inquired about hiring bikes, but moments later the Super Handyman appeared in his Audi again and told us to jump in! After a brief tour of the town, and explaining to us we were the first Aussies to visit his Campingplatz, he dropped us at the door of the internet place and zoomed off again. Although we were fully expecting him to appear to give us a lift back, in the end we walked back to our campsite along the lake - which was nice anyway. The rest of the night was spent watching the opening games of the World Cup, talking to locals, and of course getting really pissed.

Our home by the lake

Last day in Hagnau started pretty damn hung over (with good cause), and instead of doing the smart thing and relaxing/rehydrating, we walked to the next town (opposite direction from Immistad) for icecream. We then took our ball (with freshly emblazoned Mark Viduka signature) down the road to a mini football pitch we had found earlier. It was sort of a converted tennis court - nice hedge as a surrounding fence, with scaled down goals installed. There were already some kids playing down one end, so naturally we challenged them to a game. The game hung in the balance for most of the match, but we eventually won out with a golden goal to seal a 11-10 victory before heatstroke was able to claim our team. They were all roughly 10 years old. Classic moments included Brett decking one of the kids after becoming annoyed at their "rough play", and the 10-or-so times Snags missed the goals from 2m out.

Random beer garden

I recovered by chugging a few litres of water and then finally jumping into Lake Constance for a near-freezing swim. After that it was World Cup time again - we're talking 3 games a day during the group matches, at 3pm/6pm/9pm. Only a few days in and I'm already feeling the effects of football fatigue, with a whole month of the same to come! Match highlights of the night included England's extremely unconvincing 1-0 win due to an own goal, and then having a bit of a chuckle during the Argentina vs Ivory Coast game as they spent more time rolling around on the ground looking for free kicks than actually playing.

Roo assumes the position

Snags can sleep anywhere

Walking along the lake

Winery by the lake