A polished performance in Bavaria

Just back from four days in Germany.

Some 40 minutes south of Munich and nestling in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps lies Eurasburg, where our German distributors are based. Yes it sounds idyllic...and yes it is!

After months of seemingly endless rain in North-West England, it was utter indulgence to arrive in Bavaria to warm Autumnal sunshine. It could not be more different than our offices on the edge of Manchester. A small village of some 4000 people, surrounded by meadows and the backdrop of Bavarian Alps with the Austrian Alps in the far distance. Cool fresh alpine air, no noise (other than the odd Cow mooing) and not a traffic jam in sight.

The A-Team ready their packs

In addition to trade launches we usually head out to Germany a number of times during the year, as our biggest export market we take what goes on their very seriously and so we have spent the past few days visiting retailers in Munich and Garmisch as well as going through detailed plans for our Spring / Summer 2011 collection. Yes its that time of year again, starting work on another collection which seems so far away!

The tongue is out....must be pulling hard

But you can't work all of the time so as soon as we had lost the will to talk about new products any longer it was off, in the A-Team inspired Mountain Equipment van (it just needs a spoiler and some rotating leather seats) to a nearby crag for a spot of climbing. A quick hour or so of bolt clipping and teetering up blank slabs in the fading light capped off a great first day.

Watch out for car-sized chunks landing on your head

The following evening and we decided to head to a nearby bouldering venue as time was short. Lying some 30 minutes south of Munich, this venue despite initial appearance is worth a visit and even without a car easily reached via the S-bahn with the station only a short walk from the bouldering. Yes, the glaciated conglomerate looks like a loose shale bank about to collapse and yes, it does bring a new meaning to the word polished but there are plenty of nice traverse lines and a quiet forest to soak up.

Bringing a new meaning to the word 'Polished'

And just as were settling into the Alpine mood, it was time to come home. Another great Salami sandwich courtesy of Lufthansa and an unexpected meeting with James Pearson and it was back home. Perhaps that Autumn sun is infectious, it seems to have followed us home.