Day 155: Meandering

Buchberg to Schlosshof Friedingen

Distance: 55km

Landscape wise, today could not have been more different than yesterday.

Open terrain is offering great views throughout the day.  Walking never gets boring. 

My highlight probably the Hohenhewen Hill with a spectacular 360 degree view from the observation tower.

Once I can spot Lake Constance in the far distance, my motivation skyrockets. Home is really getting close now. 

All the views come at a price: the trail is meandering through the landscape, leading me over basically every hill and past every ruin in the region, probably adding 15 kilometers to the most direct routing. While it surely adds to the attractiveness of today's hike, I consider all the detours a bit too much. For a hike across Europe I'd expect a slightly more direct route. Yet, I feel good, all the up and down don't trouble me too much today. My legs are working like a charm. 

It's already 19:00 when I pass through Singen. A city without an old town, without charm. Not a city I will remember. 

From there it's only 5 kilometers to my 1nitetent host on the Schlosshof Friedingen. My host Matthias, in his mid-twenties, is leasing the farm on a 70 year contract, doing social agriculture. I am quite impressed by his engagement and vision. I'm sure his farm will become a success story. 

We keep talking for quite a while until I excuse myself. I retreat into a staff chamber, which Matthias kiny offered me to sleep in. My last night in Germany. I'll sleep like a king tonight.