When we started planning this trip, many many years ago we talked about doing a “Bucket List Item” – Zeppelin flight over Lake Constance. It had been eagerly booked several weeks ago, when our plans were clearer as to when we would be in the area. We had been checking the weather forecast & it was looking less likely for good weather. As we were leaving Oberstdorf for Immenstaad on Lake Constance, they phoned to rearrange from 6pm on the Monday to 10.30am. Ok so that seemed positive. We woke up on the Monday morning & the weather was dreadful, G called them as we had booked a taxi to get us there in plenty of time. Cancelled. We had a plan B to keep us occupied for the day, so headed off on the bus to Friedrichshafen & caught the train to Lindau. Enjoyed a wander around the small historic town & we had the most delicious breakfast of the trip. We then received a call to see if we were available the next day for the Zeppelin flight, there was still a chance we could achieve that bucket list tick. Back to the day though, we saw Bregenz across the harbour from Lindau, so we hopped on the ferry to have an hour or two there. As seems to happen often this trip, the dark clouds were starting to appear, so we opted to get the ferry back. We timed it perfectly to catch the train back & as we were ahead of schedule, we managed to fit in the Zeppelin museum in Friedrichshafen. All night the rain clattered down on the van & we had a sleepless night, partly due to wondering if the flight would go ahead, if not we would have to come back next year to have another attempt.
First thing we eagerly logged on to their website & all appeared to be OK, we hadn’t received a phone call & we saw on their webcam the Zeppelin was outside. Our spirits were lifted when we saw it take off, there was still that chance. We set off for the hangar & got there & the weather had improved tenfold, we were on! Got ourselves a drink & sat on the viewing terrace watching it take off & for the trip before us. It was then our turn, as we were the only two English people on the flight we had to have a separate “English” briefing from the rest. It took 5 minutes, so we then joined the German briefing which took around 20 minutes longer. Up, Up & away over Lake Constance towards Constance itself, flying over the flower island of Mainau. What surprised us both was that after take off you could walk around the gondola freely, swap seats, stand up to take photo’s & video. The gondola had two windows open so you could take photos’s without being restricted by the glass/plastic. We were also told that we could speak to the pilot/ask questions. So G was in his element talking to him! None of the other passengers bothered speaking to him. It was an absolutely fantastic experience & all too soon we were landing. A day never to be forgotten. On the way back we stopped in Friedrichshafen to have a quick wander around & walk up the 117 steps to the ninth level of the Moleturm for big views. Germany is now completed & moving on to Switzerland.
