We had a very slow start this morning. We don't have any Rest Days built in, so I'm trying to let the kids have a break here and there when we can. I think it's saving all of our sanity.

As much as I say "rest days are on the train, moving from one place to the next", travel days are pretty hard work. Getting up early, heavy packs, working out the train systems, sometimes not getting meals when you're hungry, and missing connections. Then we generally get to the hotel well before check in time, and have to go back out for 3 hours, which inevitably turn into 6 hours, 20,000+ steps, short tempers and exhaustion all around.

So, today, off we set about midday. Back onto the train, where we were gently guided by a lovely man, who enquired if we needed help. Of course we didn't! We were all over it! Until he kindly pointed out that we were going in entirely the wrong direction, and in fact had no idea what we were doing.

The single train tickets were approx 10 Euros for the day, covering all of the zones we needed. Or we could get a group ticket for 5 people, that essentially covered all transports in all zones, for 18.60 Euros. Crazy!

Off to Dachau we went. 2 trains & a bus later, we were standing at the gate. I've been there before, but admittedly with a hangover, and I did a piss-poor effort last time, only getting into the sleeping barracks, where I chickened out and sat at the front until everyone was ready to go. I only remember feeling sick, and looking at a mannequin wearing their striped outfit was totally overwhelming.

This time was entirely different. The whole thing was set out amazingly well, in small chunks that were very easy to understand. They explained right from WW1, exactly how Hitler came about to wreck havoc on Europe. I absolutely understand now how he slid into power. A mix of post war panic, 2 economic crises and runaway inflation, WW1 war reparations, and a public that were hurting bad.

I'm not saying it's the same thing, but going through Covid and seeing how people reacted to those in power, being scared, and not knowing what was happening and when it was all going to come right. I can see how people can unintentionally elect the wrong people. How can you even know they're the wrong people to start with!?

I'll post some photos of the starting info, you might find them interesting.

There were also a HUGE number of concentration camps around. Way more than I'd realised.

Even the kids were interested, and absorbed a lot more information than I'd hoped they would. I'm hoping that they'll write some thoughts down tomorrow or the next day, and I'll post them a bit later.

We spent about 4 hours there, and they went by in a flash. Even Johnny was surprised.

Apart from all of the information displays, the crematorium and gas chamber down the back were very emotion provoking.

I came away a lot better informed than I did when I went in. I think it would be worth another visit in about a months time, to absorb the rest of the information that I missed, after my brain was full. I also had to get Syd out of there, because they were talking about the medical experiments they did, and then how they chased down the war criminals. I'd have liked to check those things out.

Oh, and with Syd, they'd recommended that the memorial site was inappropriate for kids under 12, which Syd is by 3 months. She's a grown up kid, but she's also highly anxious, so I wanted to make sure that she didn't get too overwhelmed. She was amazing, and is highly aware of what she can and can't deal with, and walked away when it was too much. Legend effort.

By this stage it was after 4pm, and we'd not had any lunch. All of us were hangry, and we had to get onto a VERY packed bus, where we were split up in different doors.

Of course, after the "Paris Incident", we now talk through EVERY public transport situation, where we're getting off, and that the kids MUST stick with each other. Given that we did get separated from them this time again, despite being on the same bus, they were awesome, and made sure that no-one got left behind.

I know that the "Paris Incident" was a real screw up, but it has actually meant that they're now confident and capable of navigating train systems! Winning!

So, once we hit Munich, it was a bit early to head back home, and we were all dying to eat. I was REALLY hoping that the kids would deviate from the McDonalds agenda, and I was REWARDED with them being enthusiastic to try some German food! Admittedly, it was sausages, and not too crazy of a stretch for them. Also, under normal circumstances, I'd be devastated to be eating at a train station, but the choices were excellent!!!

Lots of sausages & mustards later, a salted ham hamburger, chilli fries, waffels & a sweet ricotta croissant later, we were full as googs and very happy for our choices. Even me. And, as you know, I'm a hard task master when it comes to food.

I'm looking for some croquettes tomorrow though!! And some pork knuckle and mash.

Then we headed home, after our sumptuous feast, stopping at a couple of supermarkets on the way, for snacks, and 2 min noodle delicacies!

I just wanted to add in a bit for the boozers among us. Since we've arrived, we've been drinking Jim Beam & Coke Zero cans, for 2.49 Euros each. They're 330mls, and 10% alcohol. They taste fabulously supercharged. And I've been spending approx 5-7 Euros on wine.

And a 700ml of Jim Beam was 10.99 Euros at Penny (think cheap Aldi style supermarket - you get what you get and you don't get upset). That's about $17AUD. Sadly for me, we didn't buy it. We'll be punished for it at Duty Free on the way home. We couldn't possibly carry another thing in our packs.

For the same thing back home, we'd pay about $40. I can't confirm this, because Kaspersky has blocked my access to the BWS & Dan Murphy's sites. Blimin' anti'virus!!!

Anyways, we've just started a movie. Better go. Love to you all!! XXX

14,000 steps.

Oktoberfest tomorrow!!! (And BMW Weld, and shopping, time pending).

** I couldn't load some of the photos I wanted, so I hope the ones there are enough. X