Long distance driving on the German autobahn is definitely not favorite food for me or the X-Country, but I had to go to Munich to pick up my Carnet de Passages, which had been issued by the German Automobile Club (ADAC). Due to some misunderstanding with the transfer of funds from Denmark to Germany - ADAC require a deposit of € 3000 - they could not post the carnet in time for my departure. To save time I decided to pick it up myself, as my planned route was heading towards Munich anyhow. Full marks to ADAC and to Gloria who handled everything so efficiently. Thank you!

Carnet in hand, I now felt like a real adventurer, and the world was literally open to me AND the bike. Great feeling. Leaving Camping Ampersee, Olching that morning to drive to Munich, I punched in the address of the ADAC on the Garmin. It refused, and immediately after being turned on, turned off again. No go, after many tries! Switch to roaming and Googlemaps on my iPhone, which got me to the ADAC and later on to a Garmin dealer in Munich, who concluded that the battery needed replacing. That could take time, long time - he said. I still had a few weeks in Europe and also had purchased a micro-card for Africa, from Tracks 4 Africa for my Garmin.  I ended up getting a great deal on a new Garmin, which will remain cooperative for the remainder of the trip, I believe!!

Once again, this little episode led to a great encounter. The new Garmin needed a different bracket and connection than the old gps, and I needed a workshop to fix it. Driving down the road I spotted a Ducati dealer, and stopped to find out if they could help a BMW pilot! Not only did they help, but Alex, running the workshop, refused any payment whatsoever. I must be starting to look old, desperate and helpless! I managed to tip him, though.

I am presently holed up at Camping Schlaffassdorf in Bayerischer Nationalpark, at the border between Germany and the Czech Republic. Not a great day in terms of mileage, but fantastic in so many other ways. And hey, as long as you are riding, life is good.

The pictures show: Sunset at Camping Ampersee (had a wonderful swim in the lake), my bike parked amongst royalty (Ducati), and Alex who helped me so ably - thank you.