After another relaxed start, including a super hot and rather slow Austrian run along the Rhine for me we leave the campsite, via the local supermarket.

We’ve often seen the trolleys with the cars on the front and the kids have always wanted a go but we either don’t have a euro to hand or they are all in use. Well today was Liliya’s lucky day as there was one by the entrance and didn’t need a coin either.

I’m not surprised it wasn’t in use to be honest they are really hard to control and Al nearly took out a couple of cases of wine in the middle of an aisle. Even though Robert is getting older he’s still on the edge of not caring and still thinking this looks amazing so Liliya kindly lets him have a go as well.

Annoyingly between setting the sat nav to our next destination and taking a detour to the shop the phone rerouted us onto the Austrian toll road, we decided to not use it originally as it was only 12 minutes slower on the non toll road, we’re only on for a single junction but it could be a costly mistake at €150 😢. Their system is the worst we’ve encountered, it’s only €9.95 for a 7 day pass but if you try order online it takes 18 days before it is valid otherwise you have to have a sticker in the window at the time of driving for it to be valid. If we’re caught by the cameras we can’t even retrospectively buy the vignette which seems extremely harsh, most other countries have allowed you to get them online and be valid on day of purchase or let you buy afterwards as long as its on the same day.

Today we’re headed to Lindau, a small island in Lake Constance (bordered by Germany, Switzerland and Austria). The island itself is part of Germany so it’s time for Al to bust out his GCSE German again.

As we walk over to the island, sweating like crazy once more, we see pedalos for hire and the kids really want to cool off in the lake so we go and rent one. Once we’re out into the lake the kids strip off and get in the lake. It’s possible for them both to stand up so it’s nice and safe although Liliya can’t really make up her mind as to whether she wants to be in or not.

I’m regretting not bringing my swimmers though as I know I would really appreciate cooling off.

After the pedalo we find a nice garden with plenty of shade so have a little break whilst the kids play.

The island itself is very pretty, lots of traditional old buildings turned into cafés, ice cream parlours or shops.

As we walk around the island we come across 2 churches right next door to each other. Robert is really interested in visiting churches and both kids like to light a candle when possible as well.

Next we head down to the old lighthouse, it’s not possible to go inside but it certainly is very picturesque. There’s even a train station on the island which was inside a wonderful old building and they have done a great job of keeping all the original old features.

As we start the walk back the kids are fooling around and Liliya ends up being pushed to the floor and reopening a scab on her knee. It takes a while to calm her down and let us clean it, by this time we’re all really hot and tired and I know it will be game over for Liliya as soon as we start driving so we decide to eat out rather than cook in the van.

We find a small café selling pizza, beer, cocktails and chocolate milkshakes so all bases are covered.

Al tries the local version of a pizza called Flammkuchen whilst I share a family sized pizza with the kids. Once again we over order as this thing is huge!

As we walk back and try pay for our parking we’re once again amazed at the lack of card machines. Earlier on we’d got out some cash since we’ve been caught out a few times but here we are again unable to pay for the parking because now it doesn’t take notes higher than a €10. Luckily we find a German couple who can exchange our €20 for a couple of €10s and we’re on our way.

Despite the lateness we stick to the new plan to drive closer to the morning activity, the black forest open air museum. So close in fact that you can even stay in their car park overnight so that’s what we do. The drive is one of the harder ones, dark little country roads and Liliya wakes up half way in, all hot, grumpy and tired. We finally make it though and it’s an early night for everyone.