Sometimes An Image Is Better.

The last few days of June.

Wine country par excellence...these slopes produce very reputable drops of heavenly nectar and coincidentally protect the little hamlet of Eisnberg Weinberg.

Taken this morning before most were astir. Stunning to see the moisture evaporate into an almost celestial tapestry of mist. The big tree is really that big and has many a story to tell. Amazing to think that it has stood there for decades, providing shade for picnics, cover from rain and a nice spot for lunches eaten.

Two days ago, Sunday, I happened upon a simple bush of roses which upon further reflection turned into a spectacular collection of vibrantly red roses. Too beautiful.

To me this pattern of fields and acres are incredibly calming. To walk with this view ahead helps to sort errant thoughts, feelings and ideas. The only companions were buck, a rabbit and bundles of bees.

A line of trees, a blue sky and endless fields of golden wheat transform into an awesome image to behold.

This newly renovated Kellerstock always reminds me of a gingerbread house from fairy tale fame. The only pity with this one is that it is mere meters away from the main road. Too much noise, yet stunning nonetheless.

Biggi

A Storm Is Brewing.

The minutiae of life, wonderful and perfect.

Bob left for work at half past five this morning but not before he checked his weather app. Amazing how detailed it can get and often I think that it must be far fetched to be so particular but honestly, today the nefarious prediction of 100% thunderstorm and showers bang on lunchtime, have proven right. Who could have imagined that when only this morning the temperature gauge hit over 30 degrees and sweat was dripping?

Well, here I am sitting in a dark kitchen. You know that dramatic clouded over sensation due to loss of sunlight that can only predict dire and at times ominous weather calamities. Thankfully the temperature has dropped and afforded a respite from heat. Bob's in two minds about the heat. Despite yearning for it during the bitterly cold winter months ( don't forget that he works outside all year round ), now that it is here he at times wishes it to Jericho. At least this afternoon he will get some respite.

On Saturday we helped my parents bottling wine, it didn't take more than a few hours, and as Bob and I were cleaning the wine barrel outside next to the road, a few Eisenbergers drove past and hooted in greeting. More for Bob than me. One particular jaunty driver gave an enthusiastic wave which was directed at Bob.

I love the fact that so many people around our area ( the vineyards Bob works in are scattered far and wide in Burgenland ) like and respect Bob. Turns out that this particular jaunty driver is a man of over ninety who lives on his own along one of the vineyards that Bob and the team have to tend. At times Bob will cut his lawn, at times just offer a friendly greeting and at times ( during winter ) accept a Stamperl Schapps.

The fact that he is over ninety and lives comfortably on his own, still drives and tends a big vegetable garden is amazing and something to aspire to. These little fleeting moments of village life are so special and they do give us a sense of belonging and having grown roots in the right place.

Biggi

Bits And Pieces From Food Prep Find A New Use.

Leftover solution in our vegan household.

We are off for a visit to my folks for the first outside B.B.Q. ( with ample space for social distancing ) of the year. Let's see how we can manage and then perhaps make more plans. In order to protect them, Bob and I haven't been inside their house since the middle of March.

Thinking of what to bring for the grill, I came up with skewers ( kebabs ) of mixed vegetables and marinaded tofu and that is what I prepared not even an hour ago. Long skewers filled with a medley of veggies and colour and hopefully flavour too. That is if they don't disintegrate over the grid!

As per usual I was overenthusiastic and had plenty of half cut carrots, onions, peppers and marrows dotting the various plates I used for prep. As I was about to whisk them into the bin, I decided to rather put the whole lot into our blender and whiz them into a sort of paste. Often I make veggie burgers and need fillers for them. This leftover motley crew of shredded veggies are perfect for that and it didn't take long to blend them, put them into a container and off into the fridge. Quite proud of my new invention.

Being a vegan household makes everything so much easier. Food keeps so much better and obviously goes so much further. As for the other vegetable peels, apple cores and uneaten food that gets thrown out...it goes into a special bin which gets taken behind our barn where we have a compost heap. Have had it for so long that Bob was thrilled the other day when he turned some of it and discovered the nicest bit of compost and earth for his vegetable garden. Slowly but surely these two former city slickers are getting it right.

Biggi

A Morning In Paradise.

A delightful and mysterious looking start to the day.

Seeing the moisture float upwards in layers of fog was breathtaking. What a beautiful morning in Eisenberg.

The wild chamomile is still in stealth and night mode with petals facing towards the ground.

Deutsch Schützen shrouded in mystique almost making it look like a seaside town.

The old chapel standing proud while keeping an eye on its surrounding parishioners. Striking colours appear almost naturally with the various fields and trees harmonizing together perfectly.

If you look carefully you can spot the top of the Eisenberg range in the background...a hot day in store for us when only the tips are visible.

A stretch of the road I walked on and a snapshot of the glorious view that accompanies all of my walks in this bit of paradise. That cluster of trees in the middle used to be an old dumping ground many many years ago and I often wonder what treasures are buried underneath it. Yesterday's junk-tomorrow's antiques. Another mission on the cards perhaps?

Biggi

Just Because...

Wheat, roses and more...

A feeling of contentment and ' it's all going to be alright ' are invoked by this purple diva.

A yellow stunner, perhaps a rose of sorts stands proud inside the local war memorial.

Green accents amid a field of future bread. To me the sight of a budding wheat field holds an hypnotic attraction.

Pink geranium posing to perfection in front of the big grey base of the memorial.

Roses clad in a coat of raindrops looking mighty pretty with their splendid petal pattern.

The odd one out. The lone wolf or perhaps the lone voice of reason among many conformists. Regardless, rather a nice image to celebrate the start of yet another weekend...

Biggi

Musings On Life.

The world seems to have lost its sense.

What is happening to our world and life as we know it? Who would have guessed a year ago, in sunny summer of '19, what a catastrophic year was in front of us? Pandemics, recessions and an end to life as we knew it.

At times I think that it will all blow over and the status quo that we were used to returns. Living life as we mapped it out in our youth and how generations did it before us. Even the normality of going off to work which we all took for granted, thought of as boring and to be endured, is now not a given anymore. Job security is so precarious that all of a sudden most are jolly glad to be heading off to work, as mundane as they previously thought it was.

In a time when jobs can be gone in a matter of weeks, I find it rather curious and ludicrous how everyone is feverishly trying to go on holiday to other countries and places. Italy and Croatia are firm favourites to many Austrians and come hell or high water, they are going to have their week at the seaside. Whatever next? Surely the aim of the game is to firstly be thankful to even have time off work, secondly, conserve the piggy bank and third, if a holiday at all, then why not in one's own country. So many nice places, so many appreciative tourism businesses who need your custom.

Here's hoping that soon we can all look back on this time as a lesson learned, an obstacle overcome and a hint taken...

Biggi

Trims For Hedge And Bob.

Midweek madness indeed.

Two weeks ago I managed to trim one part of our hedge ( at least 50 meters in total ) and today I thought that the second half was in order. Finally we have got rid of the terrible storms and for the time being sultry summer weather has descended. Splendid for garden work. Once I had gotten back from my walk and had taken Miss Maus for hers, I started.

Wheelbarrow, shears and clippers in tow I got to work. Our hedge is natural, overgrown and not conformist and I aim to keep it like that by cutting it by hand. None of those lazy modern electrical sheers. Surely gardening should be a workout? Not that I haven't had many offers to use other people's, but I get a kick out of sculpting the hedge one meter at a time.

Never uniform, always individual and most certainly more interesting than the manicured property circlers that are favoured by everyone in the village. Two hours, one passer-by ( very important as my work effort will be retold! ) and plenty of bugs later, the hedge was done and I was finished! Felt quite nice to see the before and after side by side. I even outdid myself and cleaned the ground underneath it. Great workout, mentally and physically.

As for Bob, he has taken a liking to my ability to use the clippers on his hair ( otherwise he would wait for Albert to do it and sport long hair ) as well as realized that corona is still an issue when cutting hair and doesn't want to endanger Albert. Never mind, I am rather getting the hang of it and might branch out by creating a short style for my honey...

Biggi

Our Summer Schedule Has Kicked In.

Early birds indeed.

You know, I actually love this time of the year despite the extreme heat. Thought I left that back in South Africa but no, it has followed me here. Mid 30's in the Northern Hemisphere isn't really the norm, but it is better than the colder north up the road.

The heat in fact is why Bob and I have this summer schedule. To at least try and escape some of the hot afternoon sun Bob starts work at six now, which means that he leaves the house by about half past five and comes home at half past two. Yes, we are now officially the early birds. Nice.

Getting up so early, we set the alarm for half past three, gives us time to acclimatize for the day ahead, enjoy a nice cup of brewed coffee, catch up on the news and spend time talking about the day ahead, the past or the future. Both of us aren't those; jump up, get dressed and rush off to work people. Give us time to greet the day with reverence and sedate leisure.

Most of the year we have supper at seven'ish but since yesterday, six'ish is the new time we eat supper. Which in turn means that I start cooking earlier, not to mention feeding our three hungry cats an hour earlier. Yes, the whole family has fallen into step.

Getting up early is divine. The day seems that much longer and today, the first of the early ones, I couldn't believe it when I was showered and ready for the day by a quarter past eight and had already a long walk, half an hour gardening and a load of washing ( already dangling on the line ) behind me.

Another advantage is the sheer bliss of almost being alone on the road. Instead of noisy cars I hear chatty birds, giggling squirrels, braying buck and the odd dog barking a leisurely greeting. A privilege to get up alongside nature. So, summer we are ready for you and enjoying every bit of it.

Biggi

For The Love Of Animals.

Friends not food.

" The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. "
Mahatma Gandhi

" If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow;
but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much. "
Mark Twain

" A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. "
Josh Billings

" Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened. "
Anatole France

" I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior. "
Hippolyte A.Taine

" The dog has seldom been successful in pulling man up to his level of sagacity,
but man has frequently dragged the dog down to his. "
James Thurber

" All animals, except man, know that the principal business of life is to enjoy it. "
Samuel Butler

" You cannot share your life with a dog, as I had done in Bournemouth, or a cat, and not know perfectly well that animals have personalities and minds and feelings. "
Jane Goodall

Biggi

A Perfect Burgenland Day.

Sun, summer and rural pulchritude.

The road home, the road of possibilities and the road firing one's imagination.

Eisenberg has a special magic. The sky mostly seems bluer, the fields richer and the budding vines more abundant.

A bit of a image cleanser...a neighbouring fence bejeweled with pink roses. A breath of fresh air.

Perfect symmetry between planted fields, hunter's perch and surrounding landscape. A fabulous sight that greats me most mornings on my walk regardless of it being winter, summer or any season in between.

I had to do them justice and show you some more. Aren't they divine? How little it takes to bring forth a feeling of happiness.

A view onto the Hungarian side of our Eisenberg, stunning and again bejeweled by many vineyards that are at the heart of Burgenland and of course, Eisenberg.

Biggi

Interesting Conversations.

One just has to ask.

The main reason I went shopping in Oberwart yesterday was in order to go to a tiny yet amazing shop there. An Asian shop, filled with all the ins and outs of a good curry, Chinese stir-fry or dried beans. Bob and I discovered it a while ago and have become hooked on the Mango Chutney sold there. Rather Bob has.

I don't get there that often so when I do, I stock up. Plenty of chutneys, hot sauces, curry spices and dried legumes. The owner was sitting there and as he rang up the goods, he asked me what restaurant we had. Eh, no, my husband just loves this stuff and as we life far away-Eisenberg- we like to have spare.

" Ah, Eisenberg, I know it well. I do a taxi service at night and often drive guests to and from The Ratschen. "

We started chatting about odds and ends and our love of curries. He asked me whether I would like to purchase some yams, which he had just got in. Isn't that some sort of sweet potato I asked him. No, he thought not but as he had made the effort to show it to me, I bought a piece. Heavy like a log, but I am open for new taste sensations.

Once I was home I looked online and found out that I must cook it like I would a potato. Fair enough, easy. Bob, once I showed it to him did what he usually does. He researched it in detail and thank goodness he did. The devil is in the fine print. Turns out that if eaten raw, yams are slightly poisonous, a little bit like arsenic. Ooh, luckily he told me as he knows my love of using raw vegetables for salads...Honestly, after all this info, I am a tad bit hesitant to cook with it but as millions of people the world over do, there really isn't anything to worry about.

Taking the time to strike conversations with people is fun, interesting and sadly, old fashioned. Yet, I like it and thus know who to call if I need a taxi and how not to eat yam...

Biggi

Again, The Odd One Out.

Here today, gone tomorrow?

Yes, looking at most of my fellow Burgenlanders, it seems that the corona virus upped sticks and left for good on the 14th of June, the day that we didn't need to wear a mask anymore in public. From Sunday to Monday almost everyone dropped their masks and with frivolous abandon went out into the public.

Perhaps I watch too many news and documentaries not to mention reading the various articles written about corona virus and its ability to trick so many into false security before it softly sneaks up on them. Yikes, hardly anyone wears masks anymore and the other day I was the only one at our local shop with a mask and the butt of many a joke,
raised eyebrows and casual dig of; " Of course she would! ". Don't they listen to the experts opining on the effectiveness of masks in regard to viruses? Mask do help and don't cost much in effort or money.

Today saw me in Oberwart and apart from one or two pensioners, I was the only other one wearing a mask in the various shops. In a way it makes me angry that most don't think it through. The government merely said that wearing masks wasn't the law anymore but appealed to all of us to use caution and be vigilant. The summer tourist season has started and many people from near and far are spending time in our area.

We all saw the huge demonstration in Vienna a few weeks ago where over 50 000 people attended. Vienna is a commuter city and most weekends hundreds of thousand Viennese head for home. In our village as well. Half at least work and live in Vienna during the week and are home weekends. It wouldn't be so far fetched that unknowingly the corona virus came along for the weekend, only too happy to stay on while spreading around.

Perhaps I am overly cautious but, I would rather be that than be an asymptomatic carrier of the virus. Family and friends are far more important than feeling irritated by wearing a mask.

Biggi

Tales From Our Garden.

A medley of plants and more...

Tall stalks of beauty that are surely cousins of Les Daisies in front of the old pigsty, now home to one or other of our tomcats.

An overflowing barrel of purple potato leaves...let's hope that this year we will get to see a grown fruit from it. Decorative though!

A thirsty or reflective lavender? We have just had a morning of heavy rain, thus filling all of the rainwater barrels in our garden.

Another staple of and in our garden. One of our resident former feral cats in session. They both look so much alike that I can't tell you who is who or who has eaten once or ...again. Still vary of me.

Our lettuce is nice and comfortable in his new patch and spreading out...

Some watch grass grow, but we've taken to keeping an eye on our lettuce!

Biggi

The Deceptively Simple Moments In Life.

Bits and pieces that nourish the soul.

Each year a flock of sheep rotate the various meadows and even though they look similar, sadly they are not the same! Catching sight of them though does the soul good.

Wheat, the breakfast of champions. I have been watching the wheat fields changing shape and of course colour as the stalks ripen. Odd to think that this makes the basis of bread.

A real black sheep? An elegant turn away from me but still proud and regal. Too pretty to eat.

A tiny flower being guarded by tall stalks of wheat. Simple nature, big impact.

How droll is she? I watched her find a yummy branch and leap to bite the lushious leaves from it. She honed in with precision.

A velvet carpet of nature. Soon no more but soon regrown...

Biggi

Feeling Grateful In Times Like These.

We need to remind ourselves to count our blessings.

" We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses. "
Alphonse Karr

" Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude. "
Ralph Waldo Emerson

" Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others. "
Marcus Tullius Cicero

" Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart. "
Henry Clay

" In every class of society, gratitude is the rarest of all human virtues. "
Wilkie Collins

" For me, every hour is a grace. And I feel gratitude in my heart each time I can meet someone and look at his or her smile. "
Elie Wiesel

" Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed.
Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude. "
Denis Waitley

" Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcended moments of awe that change forever
how we experience life and the world. "
John Milton

" Feeling gratitude and not expressing it
is like wrapping a present and not giving it. "
William Arthur Ward

Biggi

My Darling Husband Created A Vertical Herb Garden.

Something borrowed, something old, something blue and something new...

On Saturday morning Bob mentioned something about making an herb garden for us and that was the main reason for driving to Güssing. Getting various herbs from the nursery. Well, yesterday afternoon I realized what a great project it was and how marvelous it is.

Over winter we had ordered pellets in big quantities and thus got two of those pallets for storing them on. If we hadn't taken them, the Lagerhaus would have just thrown them away. So, Bob has recycled one pallet. He painted it blue, hung it on our house wall and bejeweled the lot of shiny pots. I can't stop looking at it every time I walk past it. Love it.

He chose a sun blessed spot on our house wall, which should turbo charge the growth of the various herbs and two flowers. Yes, two pots have lavender for beauty and the bees.

Isn't the look amazing? Painting it blue is not what Bob would normally choose, but he hit on the perfect colour to accentuate the growing plants.

Fodder for pasta, pizzas and salads...

One empty bucket awaiting occupancy. Bob, what a fabulous D.I.Y. project. The colours are extremely soothing, not to mention eclectically stunning...I look forward to the next project.

Biggi

Everlasting Poppies And So Much More.

Taking the time to look.

A dash of romance and mystique thrown in. There is so much history embedded in a mere barn. Who wouldn't love to find out...

How nice to see a bee partaking in breakfast at Poppy's Diner.

A whole ensemble making one red siren stand out.

Before corn turns golden it has that shimmering touch of diamonds about it. At least when the morning dew is energized by the awakening sun.

There is such a feeling of tranquility and joy created by a simple country lane. Enticing to go for a walk, isn't it?

Deutsch Schützen at times reminds me of a scene from the African countryside. Those trees planted so straight and purposeful all those years ago often leave me speechless at the sheer luck of being able to see them everyday...Life is good.

Biggi

Vegan Discoveries.

A little bit of shopping adventure and surprise.

Bob wanted to get some herbs for planting and we did a quick run to Güssing in order to peruse their garden center. In anticipation of doing an off the cuff shop, I had taken a cooler box with two frozen bricks inside it. Unless it is the depth of winter each trip to town warrants a cooler box. Thirty minutes to get home can defrost many things that shouldn't be.

Anyway, today was another scorcher of a day and by ten o'clock we were already into the 30's. Yikes. We found the garden center, a local nursery actually, and felt good supporting it rather than the big chains. Every bit and bob helps the local shops.
Once done, we took a quick turn to Hofer / Aldi because one never knows what bargains will be had. Our staple of vegetables is usually marked down on Saturdays as Sunday isn't a trading day.

So we had almost done the circuit when we found ourselves in front of the frozen compartments and couldn't believe our eyes when we noticed a new range of Vegan ice creams in it. Vanilla, Strawberry or Chocolate flavour... both of us were dying to get one but didn't like the odds of getting back home without it having melted past what's edible. Never mind, there's always a next time!

What I love though is that slowly but surely vegan products are becoming staples rather than exotic one offs. That vegan ice cream is being stocked in Hofer can only mean that veganism is now main stream and here to stay...yeah.

Biggi

The Hills Are Alive With Tourists.

Wonderful appreciation of our area.

A hot summer's afternoon on a long weekend can only translate to plenty of activity on the lanes and by-lanes of our village. Even a short drive to Deutsch Schützen proved to be an adventure. Bikes of all description and everywhere. From the humble old fashioned bicycle via e-bicycle to the comfortable Harley. Not to mention those annoying hovering skateboards that are trendy with the younger crowd at the moment. You can't hear them and thus extra caution needed whilst driving. Suffice to say, the tourist season is alive and well.

This morning I couldn't believe my eyes...the village has a professional clay tennis court which to this day I have never seen in use until eh, today; it was used by a couple here for the weekend to play a game, set and match. Marvellous and about time too. The lady even wore proper attire of white skirt, shirt and shoes. Great, and another activity to put out as lures for tourists.

A bit further down the road from the tennis court were two camper vans that had obviously stayed there overnight. On the picnic table the start of a leisurely breakfast in the sun was being prepared. As I rounded the corner I got a whiff of freshly brewed coffee and thought how magic it must be to breakfast alfresco with a camper van in tow. Life couldn't be any better.

Tomorrow's weather will follow in today's footsteps and see a boon in ice cream sales at our local shop. It almost felt unreal to see the dashboard temperature gauge announce a sultry 32 degrees. They have said that this summer will be the hottest on record and by the looks of it, they weren't and aren't wrong. Gosh, out of Africa into Austria.

Biggi

Mist, Cherries And A Nice Morning.

A quiet walk in the early morning.

When the sunlight highlights a side to Deutsch Schützen as the mist rises, even the aspect of being hidden in early morning mist is a plus....not for those living in it though!

A bunch of chamomile cheerfully getting ready to greet the day. The petals are still deciding whether to open up and face the day. A sea of calmness on the side of the road.

The road to Höll seems unending, interesting, a bit spooky but inviting nonetheless.

A cheerful crowd welcoming in the start of another warm summer's day. A bevy of purple beauties dotting the burgeoning day with images of pulchritude.

Finally the cherries...what more can I say apart from being lucky enough to have a dozen cherry trees along my walk, trees to pick the low hanging fruit and cherish the thought that in shops a kilo of them would sell for more then ten euros. One particular tree near the end of my walk stands abandoned in a meadow near the side of the road. Today I came equipped with a small bag and picked enough to add to my muesli and some for dessert. Yummy, sweet and divine. Living the good life in the country.

Biggi