Easter in Bavaria
Visiting Erding & the Alps
Friday 03 April 2026 - Arriving in Erding
Travelling for me has always been about slowing things down a bit. Stepping away from routine, letting things unfold naturally, and actually noticing what’s around me. In Easter 2026, that meant heading out solo to Bavaria to visit my sister and her husband. It felt good to be out of the country - a bit of headspace, some fresh air, and time to properly switch off. They picked me up from Munich and we made the short drive over to Erding, chatting as we went, watching this new landscape pass by outside the window. No stress, no rushing, just that quiet shift into being somewhere new.
When we arrived, I was shown to my room, shoes and socks off straight away - always the real start of a holiday. Nibbles out, rum and coke poured, and a few card games to get things going. The evening unfolded easily, drifting between nonsense and putting the world to rights.
Before I knew it, the night had gone. A perfect start.
The next morning started slowly. I woke up early and sat out on the balcony for a bit; quiet, fresh air, no distractions. We skipped breakfast and headed out into Erding. Neat, colourful, and quietly full of character, everything felt well looked after, a place people are proud of. We wandered without much of a plan and made our way down to Kronthaler Weiher. A light ripple moved across the lake from the wind, with a few wing-surfers out on the water. It was cold and calm, but easy to picture it in summer - busier, brighter, full of life.
One of those places where you naturally slow down without even thinking about it.
On the walk back through town, we passed a structure filled with bells. Bells or “Glocken” have been part of daily life here for centuries, rooted in tradition but also something practical, marking time, carrying across the town like a quiet rhythm in the background. It added something to the place.
We stopped at Green Leaf Cafe for coffee and some food, simple, but really, really good. Back at the house, we had a quick cuppa before heading out again, this time to a bowling alley that felt like stepping back in time. Old scoring screens, dim lighting, and UV artwork across the walls, including a glowing Gunpowder Plot scene that somehow worked. There was the usual bit of competition, and once we found our rhythm, it was a mix of strikes, spares, and completely missing the pins. That evening, we headed into town for a proper Bavarian meal — pork knuckle, crispy on the outside, soft underneath. Exactly what you’d want after a full day. A couple of bottles of wine later, we were still there, just talking. Back at the house, it carried on in the same way — a few more drinks, more conversation — before eventually calling it a night, with an early start waiting the next morning.
Click the links below to view its gallery.
Pentre - Sylvania - The Seren Barn - Amongst The Habitat- Niche & The Forest Stage - Behind The Scenes
Saturday 04 April 2026
Exploring Erding
I woke up early and sat out on the balcony for a bit. It was quiet - fresh air, no distractions, just a slow start to the day. We skipped breakfast and headed out into Erding.
Erding felt neat, colourful, and quietly full of character. The buildings, the streets, the architecture, everything felt well looked after, a place people are proud of. We wandered without much of a plan and made our way down to Kronthaler Weiher, the nearby lake. There was a slight ripple across the lake from the wind, and a few wing-surfers out on the water from the nearby adventure centre. It was cold and quiet, but you could easily picture it in summer - busier, brighter, full of life. One of those places where you naturally slow down without really thinking about it.
On the walk back through town, we passed a structure filled with bells “Glocken”. It turns out they’ve been part of daily life here for centuries, rooted in Christian tradition but also in something practical - timekeeping. The bells act as a kind of voice for the town, marking the day as it moves along. Slightly random, but it added something to the place. We stopped off at Green Leaf Cafe for coffee and some food. Nothing over the top, just simple and really good - exactly what we needed.
Back at the house, we had a quick cuppa before heading out again, this time to a bowling alley that felt like it hadn’t changed in years. Old scoring screens, dim lighting, and UV artwork across the walls - including a glowing Gunpowder Plot scene that made no real sense, but somehow worked. There was the usual bit of competition, and as soon as we found our own rhythms, we were all getting strikes, spares and completely missing the pins!
That evening, we headed into town for a proper Bavarian meal; Pork Knuckle and veg, crispy on the outside, soft underneath. It was SO good! Big portions, warm atmosphere, and no rush to leave. Exactly what you’d want after a full day out. A couple of bottles of wine later, we were still there, just talking. Back at the house, it carried on in the same way; a few more drinks, more conversation — before eventually calling it a night.
We had an early start coming.
Saturday 04 April 2026
Exploring Erding
I woke up early and sat out on the balcony for a bit. It was quiet - fresh air, no distractions, just a slow start to the day. We skipped breakfast and headed out into Erding.
Erding felt neat, colourful, and quietly full of character. The buildings, the streets, the architecture, everything felt well looked after, a place people are proud of. We wandered without much of a plan and made our way down to Kronthaler Weiher, the nearby lake. There was a slight ripple across the lake from the wind, and a few wing-surfers out on the water from the nearby adventure centre. It was cold and quiet, but you could easily picture it in summer - busier, brighter, full of life. One of those places where you naturally slow down without really thinking about it.
On the walk back through town, we passed a structure filled with bells “Glocken”. It turns out they’ve been part of daily life here for centuries, rooted in Christian tradition but also in something practical - timekeeping. The bells act as a kind of voice for the town, marking the day as it moves along. Slightly random, but it added something to the place. We stopped off at Green Leaf Cafe for coffee and some food. Nothing over the top, just simple and really good - exactly what we needed.
Back at the house, we had a quick cuppa before heading out again, this time to a bowling alley that felt like it hadn’t changed in years. Old scoring screens, dim lighting, and UV artwork across the walls - including a glowing Gunpowder Plot scene that made no real sense, but somehow worked. There was the usual bit of competition, and as soon as we found our own rhythms, we were all getting strikes, spares and completely missing the pins!
That evening, we headed into town for a proper Bavarian meal; Pork Knuckle and veg, crispy on the outside, soft underneath. It was SO good! Big portions, warm atmosphere, and no rush to leave. Exactly what you’d want after a full day out. A couple of bottles of wine later, we were still there, just talking. Back at the house, it carried on in the same way; a few more drinks, more conversation — before eventually calling it a night.
We had an early start coming.
“The Seren Barn”
Talk – Debate – Listen
At Between The Trees, visitors are invited to wander among thinkers, dreamers, and storytellers in the Seren Barn; a space that celebrates words, ideas, and connection. Supported by Literature Wales and Seren Publishers, the barn hosts an inspiring mix of authors, poets, and speakers. Guests can listen to insightful talks from naturalists and academics, join thought-provoking discussions on conservation, sustainability, and permaculture, or simply sit back and enjoy a nature documentary on the big screen.
Now recognised as the festival’s third stage, the Seren Barn has its own distinct atmosphere and charm. Once a film set for productions like Gangs of London, it now provides a unique setting for creativity and conversation - a place where stories and ideas come alive beneath its rustic beams.
“Amongst The Habitat”
Makers, Artisans & Traders
Habitat is about getting creative and learning by doing - from pottery and printmaking to woodland crafts and ancient skills.
It features three unique spaces: Traders Lane, where artisans keep traditional crafts alive; the Artisan Tent, showcasing local Welsh makers and hands-on workshops; and the Change Makers area, home to inspiring environmental and community organisations sharing ideas and hosting talks.
“Niche & The Forest Stage”
Where Hearts Dance and Feet Stomp
The Niche is Between The Trees’ intimate acoustic and listening stage. By day, it offers serene solo and duo performances, perfect for soaking up music in a calm setting. As evening falls, it transforms into a lively space with energetic DJ sets.
The Main Stage sits within a horseshoe-shaped grove of trees, with a sycamore integrated into its design. Clad in waney-edged wood and draped with ivy, it blends into the woodland surroundings. Across the weekend, it hosts folk and indie-folk performances, finishing with upbeat dance sets that keep the festival energy flowing.
“Between The Trees Behind The Scenes”
When all of natures magical mythical creatures come out to play.
Between The Trees is the vision of educators Andrew Thomas and Dawn Wood, born from a desire to reconnect people with the natural world. In 2014, they noticed how modern life, screens, and stress were pulling people — including students — away from nature, community, and meaningful activities. The festival was created as a space to slow down, breathe, and rediscover those connections.
Set in Merthyr Mawr National Nature Reserve, a haven of woodland, sand dunes, and wildlife, the festival blends indie folk music, art, and spoken word within a welcoming, creative community. Each year, a new theme emerges from conversations with family, friends, and festival-goers, shaping the experience and keeping the festival alive and evolving.
Behind the scenes, setup day is a hive of activity. Fairy lights are strung between trees, stages are sound-checked, wooden bars are prepped, and people wander the site, bringing the festival to life. Every detail is carefully crafted to create an immersive space that feels magical, alive, and full of anticipation for the weekend ahead.
