Days 22 & 23 – Even bunnies have to take a break from hopping . . .

There comes a point in every trip, when we feel the need to draw breath. Remember that it’s not a sprint. Not a marathon even. Just a gentle jog. There’s no need to go haring around.

We decide to burrow down at Perlsee, situated within the beautiful Upper Bavarian Forest Nature Park. Pitch up almost lakeside. It’s hotting up a little. Low twenties, warm enough for a bit of alfresco dining.

A pre-dinner game of table tennis, helps to unwind the day’s journey. The ‘BOING’ from the cast iron net adds a certain ‘joi de vie’, a lively musical stop to many points. Mrs S is in devastating form. That is, until a particularly ferocious topspin forehand smashes into the net post. ‘Boing’ goes the net – and the ball.

Today stays dry and warm. We crack open our walking boots. We’ve learned of the remains of a deserted village, just across the Bavarian border. A 4K predominantly uphill wooded trek takes us towards Czechia and into Bohemia.

Short of our crossing we pass through a small village. In the UK we have our gnomes. It seems many folk up here prefer baubles. Most garden arrangements flaunt shiny objects.

As we near centuries old Grafenried, it’s apparent little remains. A beautiful and peaceful trail loops up and around. Boards designate the exact location of each home, along with photos and a brief family biog.

We discover that after WWII, its total demise came about simply because of its unfortunate location. Slap bang on the Iron Curtain border zone. The Czechs changed its name to Lučina (translates as ‘meadow’ – prophetic?). By 1956 the village had been depopulated and bulldozed.