Saturday 04 April 2026 - Exploring Erding

The next morning. I woke up early and sat out on the balcony; quiet, fresh air, no distractions. We skipped breakfast and headed out into Erding. Neat, colourful, and quietly full of character,. 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 in the shape of a bell, filled with engraved locks. Bells or “Glocken” have been part of daily life here and around Germany 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 and it tasted really, really good. Back at the house, we had a quick cuppa before heading out again, this time to “Bowling Castle”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 to Erdinger Weißbräu for a proper Bavarian meal; “Schweinshaxe” 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, a few more drinks, more conversation, before eventually calling it a night, with an early start waiting the next morning.