So what’s “coffee & croissants” all about? Well, it’s a code. Code for one of those special moments. When life feels really good. Really good. And you have time to enjoy the moment.
The idea comes from that special feeling of a wonderful cup of coffee and a croissant early on a Saturday or Sunday morning, when I’m relaxed and calm, and the house is quiet.
But actual coffee and croissants don’t have to be involved. It’s a feeling. It can happen anywhere, anytime.
I got that feeling in the Bavarian Alps earlier this month. Several times.
We’d been up at 5 to leave at 6 for the drive to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. We saw the dawn on the way – a beautiful pink/purple & misty dawn over the hopfields of central Bavaria. A C&C moment. The first of the day.
Started the climb at 8.30 and enjoyed that early morning cool of the forest, knowing it would be hot later. When we reached the clearing at Wettersteinalm for a mid morning break, with a cloudless sky, mountains all around, the forest, the clean air, the calm – it was another C&C moment.
Wettersteinalm
More were to come…
After about 3 hours we got above the forest to the most breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys. You just had to stop and stare. That was number 3.
C&C number 3
Then on to the top of Schachen – 1,876m or 6,153 ft – and lunch. Up to a point I knew what to expect, but it was still surreal to be sitting at the Schachenhaus with lamb stew and a beer, at over 6,000 ft.
Schachenhaus
Surrounded by the grey, craggy peaks which were higher than ours, and startling views down to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the valley below. Did we really climb that far up?
So, number 4.
C&C number 4
Oh, and number 5 was when I got my boots and socks off back at the car, about 8 hours after we’d started! Almost as good as sex, that one.
© iain taylor 2011