Much of 2016’s summer in Bavaria had been overcast, so we’d heard, so it was a relief to have non-stop sunshine during our September visit to the region, calling at
Tennsee campsite as part of our June touring feature (see page 30 of the June print magazine and head to the
features section of our online magazine for additional content about the trip).
The magazine team had pre-arranged with Bavarian manufacturer Knaus to review its latest
Van I 580 MK motorhome that had been delivered to the campsite. Photographer Ali Cusick set about taking several shots inside and out, with a little help from the patient delivery driver Richard Sheuring (who spoke no English), and his niece Elisabeth Kwasny who gamely agreed to translate. Somehow we muddled by and quickly pinpointed a spot on the campsite for a potential cover – a backdrop framed by lake, forest and mountains.
Pleased with the photos we then went in search of other locations, one of which was a couple of miles from Tennsee and recommended as particularly scenic. However, somehow along the way – following directions to the letter – we got caught in the Bermuda Triangle and became lost even further when Richard stopped at a house to ask for help from a well-meaning couple. They even leapt into their car to lead us to the hallowed turf that was apparently just a stone’s throw away – only to be led the wrong way up a sliproad onto the motorway and down some seriously narrow lanes. The couple eventually had to admit defeat and so did we.
We then ventured to
Walchensee, a beauty spot much easier to find but much more difficult for everything we wanted. Parking was limited on such a hot day – it seemed everyone was there to jump into the lake. The only parking space we could find for the Knaus was at a bus stop – needless to say we didn’t stay long.
The composition for this photo wasn’t quite what we were after for various reasons – the sun was apparently in the wrong place for a start – but it showed off the motorhome very well nevertheless.
Back in the office, we eventually settled on a shot of the motorhome at the campsite entrance for the magazine cover. It looked more like it was taken in an alpine village, illustrating the sophistication of the campsite’s facilities as well evoking that all-important welcoming, friendly feeling.