A day at the lake
Lake Starnberg or Starnberger See is a beautiful lake located in Munich.
There are many stories and myths surrounding Lake Starnberg. Nearby, the famous Sissy (later Empress of Austria) grew up on Gut Possenhofen. A picturesque lake – as if made for mysterious and tragic stories. Ludwig II is said to have taken his own life here….
Famous people from the music industry also live here, and at times a king from abroad is said to reside in his chic villa by the Starnberger See.
What attracts the aristocracy to this lake near Munich? On just one day there at the lake, I quickly realized what it could be: The peace and beauty of nature! It was mid-October – the world seemed to stand almost still because of Corona. Bans and restrictions everywhere… there was none of that at Starnberger See. A small piece of freedom in a world out of joint.
The morning!
Already in the morning the sun shone bright and cheerful and tickled my nose. Getting up was a must – because I was magically drawn outside to the lake, of which I had already heard soooooo much but had hardly seen anything yet. Only a few minutes from the apartment down to the street, which I had to cross to get to the lake via a narrow path. And then it was in front of me – quiet and peaceful and somehow magical. There was not a sound to be heard – only the soft cawing of ravens and the flapping of waterfowl’s wings as they swooped away from time to time.
Surroundings!
A few wooden huts – probably boathouses – lined the pedestrian path by the lake. A soft whispering of the wind brushed the shore vegetation and now and then a fish hopped out of the water with a watery plop, only to submerge again immediately. Otherwise only silence – infinite silence. I took a deep breath of this fresh – as cleanly washed – air. – Wonderful! – Immediately again and several deep breaths I repeated the whole thing. Filled with fresh air, I started my run along the lake and met different people – young and old, mothers with children in strollers or on children’s bicycles, dog owners proudly walking their Fiffis, Bellos and Wauzis.
One lady threw a stick into the lake and her young dog plunged enthusiastically into the water, swam after the stick, snatched it with his teeth and then proudly returned to the sandy beach, shook himself wildly so that the drops flew, then sat down and waited panting for a reward like throwing the stick again.
Beach Cafe!
Further up I passed a beach café, which was unfortunately still closed at this early hour. But the white building with the inviting large windows and the lovingly furnished terrace with tables and chairs looked very homely to me. I passed tall trees and footbridges hidden by bushes that led into the water. On one jetty, elderly people in bathing suits were cavorting. A man jumped boldly into the water and a lady was climbing out of the lake while another lady was already drying herself with a large fluffy bath towel. I shook my head with a smile. It was not sooooo warm to go swimming in the lake – but tastes are known to be different.
Beyond a gravel parking lot, the trail led into wooded area and somewhat away from the lake. I could make out weathered cabins behind weather-beaten walls and fences hidden in the thicket. The wind rustled gently in the leaves here, causing the sunlight to flash through like Morse code. A little further on was a pasture with sheep and horses grazing in peace, looking up unconcerned when they heard me jogging by.
Back to lake!
After some time, the path led close to the lake again. Here I could see a motorboat whizzing across the lake. A little further away, sailboats glided majestically across the water. The surface of the Starnberger See glistened like an expanse of precious stones. Above me, a small sport plane rattled toward the opposite shore. Then silence again, broken only by children’s laughter. I looked around and spotted children playing on the beach. On closer inspection, I saw that this included a beach coffee on a wooden jetty where some people were cavorting and looking out over the lake. Since I had already been on the road for a while, I decided to take a short break here and stop in. As a second breakfast I treated myself to a large milk coffee, which was served to me with a little heart in the foam crown. In addition, an extra creamy cheesecake. Just the thing for me. Just gaze into the distance over the calm lake…. Tranquility as if from an advertisement….
Later, I jogged on and discovered a lonely footbridge leading far out into the lake. Slowly I ran to the end and looked into the clear water….the wooden steps looked mysterious as they shimmered so seemingly velvety green in the sunlight in the water. The sun shone brightly and warmed my face as I settled down on the steps, took off my shoes and stockings, and dipped my feet into the cool water. I leaned my head back, closed my eyes and enjoyed the sun on my face. This must be what paradise is like…
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