A Nice Neighbourhood!

 Bankerl sitzen...

As per usual I took the boy for his afternoon walk around the block. A long block and one that gives us ample opportunity to mingle with the neighbours.

Today I was a bit tardy in getting ready for him, but never mind, he reminded me by walking to the door and back whilst voicing his opinion at my tardiness. Yes, the boy has character.

As we walked out the front gate we encountered the little girl from next door who was walking her granny about. Yes, at the age of two and a bit, we all know who's in charge! Once she espied little Maxi, she had to come over to greet him. Lovely and it gave me a chance to have a chat about this and that with her granny. News exchanged and off we went.

About twenty meters further, the two of us encountered the next villager. Maxi is a real ice-breaker. Everyone wants to talk about and to him. Great stuff and more tidbits gathered. I feel like a gossip squirrel.

At the end bit of our walk we again encountered the little girl but this time her mum was there with her. It is nice to be able to shoot the breeze with those living next door. The four of us stood in the middle of the street ( yes, traffic is nice and gentle here ) and discussed the latest corona news among others. As we were chatting another young mother came to join our little group. Nice to have a feeling of belonging.

They used to call this ' bankerl sitzen ' which translates as bench sitting. In those days before TV's were invented or had, most of the women would meet up after a long day of hard work and sit on those benches placed at the front of houses, close to the road. 

Quite often the older ladies would tell me about the good times that were had sitting and chatting on those benches. ( Remember, those were the times without electric stoves, throwaway nappies or even washing machines. All done by hand. ) Look, we didn't sit on our bench today, but we enjoyed those few minutes of meeting up. Isn't that part of the glue that holds a neighbourhood together?

Biggi

Watering Flowers, Feeding The Soul.

 A week of nice encounters.

I know that at times I grumble about my two weeks of flower watering duty, but I rather enjoy it. Gosh, Thursday already which means my first week is almost done and so far hardly any flowers have met their maker!

My mornings are becoming quite structured and busy. First Mr Maxi gets his walk. An excited stint around the block with stops for business, sniffs and territorial business card drops. Not sure whether he would wait for me to water all the flowerbeds and containers while tied to a tree. Maybe for my second week in August he might be comfortable enough to watch his new mummy tend to the village greens!

So, after his walk I feed him his breakfast and head off in the same direction again in order to water the flowers. It isn't a lot of work, just has to be done daily. Kind of meditative for me and whilst I wait for the watering cans to be filled with water I look around me and marvel at how lucky I am to be here. 

It didn't take long this morning before the first person came along and stopped to chat. Flower duty is a good conversation opener and as the flower beds are close to the local graveyard, today's conversation revolved around it. The woman prefaced most bits with a bit of negativity so I couldn't help but say;

      " You know, I am thankful to be here because so many didn't get the chance. "

She at first was a bit confused but then realized what I meant and as it sank in, her stance and attitude changed. Yes, we are lucky to be here and even she agreed that lately the church bells have been ringing in the dead rather too often.

Off she went to do her thing and within minutes the next one came along. A man and his dog. They specially came over to speak to me, the dog couldn't be more excited to see me and by luck I had some leftover doggy treats to give her. We chatted about Maxi ( everyone knows his name  and how he ended up with us ) and the best way to circumvent two annoying fence barkers along our route.

Those conversation weren't long, and weren't about anything important but that's just what makes them important. They form bonds and give a feeling of belonging to the village and to the human race...

Biggi

Ah, Slightly Embarrassing!

 Checking up on the neighbours...

It was another icy cold morning and it took a lot of conviction to venture outdoors for a walk. There is a reason I walk round trips as once I set off there's nothing for it but to continue on. Method to my madness.

This morning I chose an old yet new route and trotted it to Eisenberg Weinberg. A new dog behind a fence chose to greet me and the whole neighbourhood with self assured barking in order to tell me who's boss around there. Wouldn't dream of going into your yard, woofy!

Christmas lighting seems to have almost popped up overnight and can be a bit blinding what with all the bling and glitz. There's always the one, isn't there? Oh well, each to his own. 

A few new renovations are going on and yet another Kellerstock is being enlarged to make a permanent home out of it. So much for keeping the authentic feel of vineyard nostalgia alive...

Towards the end of my loop I happened to land up outside a house where I do know the residents even if only very casually. Coming from a different angle I took the liberty to glance over the fence to see how they have laid out their garden. Yes, yes, I know I am nosy but isn't that the point of village life, seeing how others live?

One corner of this garden had shiny Christmas deco and I kind of slowed down to take it in whilst also looking at as much of what a glance over their fence afforded.

I almost jumped a foot when all of a sudden a voice boomed out:

                                      " Good morning Birgit! "

Well, awkward and slightly embarrassing. The only thing to do was to nonchalantly mutter a cheery reply and hot foot it back home. Might give that route a miss for a week or so...

Biggi 

Building Frenzy In Our Village.

A boom in the midst of a slow down?

You know, one can't drive anywhere without having to conduct evasive tactics. Take this afternoon, when driving back from the Lagerhaus I couldn't believe my eyes when a huge building crane manoeuvred out of the mayor's yard. It was so gigantic that it stopped traffic for a while. Well, I was the only traffic after all, it being a small village.

Around the corner in Dorfstrasse a whole roof had been dismantled yesterday and today  a new wooden ready made structure was substituted. Yikes, never mind flying cats but now also hovering pieces of roofs. That is the house which started the whole new electrical pipeline procedure ( they dug a trench alongside our road to lay new cables ) which has made our road seem like a mud lane. Trust those Viennese to want the latest and fastest technology. Apparently the next generation are moving in for weekends and decided to upgrade house and internet speed. I suppose we'll all benefit.

Wherever one drives, even in Oberwart, building is happening. A good sign and a sign that Burgenland is finally getting the respect it deserves. Can't compare the pleasure of living in Burgenland to the hectic pace of a life in Vienna.

Whereas a couple of years ago many houses were for sale in our area and often were on the market a couple of years, now they are snapped up at the rate of knots. Building ground is sparse and I suppose that is why so many have decided to either add another level on top of an existing house or renovate an old one. I must say that it is rather fascinating to watch a roof be hovered in and assembled within a day. Technology indeed...best to drive slow and carefully around our village for the foreseeable future...

Biggi

Magic Mornings.

Rural routine.

In a way it is a good thing to walk the same route every day, well most days, as it frees my mind up to wander and discover left brain stuff. The tranquil side of our brains?

The whiff of horse manure must be one of the most pleasant rural perfumes about. Not the pig variety though...that is beastly and makes me shudder to think of these poor trotters stuck in their own manure. A horse and several donkeys live along the main village road and one or the other must have been responsible for the perfumed air. Nothing makes one feel more rural than stumbling upon anything horsey. Especially us girls as we tend to relive our youthful obsessions with riding horses.

A couple of paces further along two stellar red roses were valiantly standing their ground despite being close to wilting away. Summer is their heyday too and while birds are lining up to travel to their summer home, roses fade away after a mere season.

Most of the telephone wires have started to moonlight as platforms for troupes of swallows organizing their roll call for an early departure to warmer climes. Brave little souls, aren't they? At least this year they don't have to compete overly much with a gazillion planes. Corona does have some good points.

Today was the first Saturday of the month and that meant a barrage of tractors purring along to Höll in order to get rid of a whole lot of bulky rubbish. Gosh, there seems to be an never-ending supply of old mattresses, sofas and nightstands in our village. Without fail each and every first Saturday of the month the trek to the rubbish dump ensues. Hope they didn't forget to check if the mattresses had been used as banks.

Saturdays have such a nice and relaxed feel about them as most households fire up their engines an hour or two later then normal affording time for leisurely family breakfasts, lingering over newspapers and generally catching up and reconnecting with each other. Makes everyone more friendly when I run into them!

Mornings like today are wonderfully grounding and a great way to escape all the paraphernalia associated with 2020...

Biggi

Villages Might Just Have An Advantage In The Social Distance Stakes.

A village where everyone knows your name...

It took a few days or perhaps weeks before everyone came on board and changed their thoughts on corona from it being just like the flu to the virulent killer it is. Only yesterday I noticed a highly disguised person walking to the local shop. Scarves, hat and face mask!

Slowly but surely the reports of people one knows being struck down with this virus are circulating and coupled with the daily news stream from all over the world, the social strictures are more than being met.

For the last two weeks I have been doing food deliveries around our villages for those older folk who are most at risk and thus I can be seen driving along the neighbourhood roads. The local shop opens for the afternoon at three o'clock and that is when I go there to fetch the various deliveries.

The shop also happens to be across the road from my parent's house and so I can keep a watch out for them and drop off anything they might need. I don't want them to go out to public places at all and even the odd afternoon drive through the vineyards tends to elicit a frown from me. My my, how the times have changed...it used to be me trying to sneak out unseen but now my it's my folks' turn and they time their drive around the vineyards so that I don't notice their car missing in the driveway. Murphy's law I tend to run into them when they least expect it...in the vineyards.

Yesterday afternoon whilst driving past my neighbour's gate, I noticed her standing in it and stopped to have a two meter distance chat through the car window. I was amazed when she mentioned seeing my car constantly scooting about, and kind of hinting that I wasn't keeping to the stay-at-home credo. Perhaps I should get a big letter stamped by our mayor!

Burgenland is the smallest and most rural county in Austria and also has the least number of corona cases. By far, which makes me wonder whether it might have something to do with everyone being aware of everyone else's conduct and business...those transgressing the social distance credo are quickly met with a frown and an inkling of becoming fodder for neighbourly phone calls.

Of course it also helps that most of us in the country have big gardens and those can be used for daily exercise. Just this morning I met an elderly gal walking up and down inside her garden, never crossing the swell onto the street. We had a quick chat ( at a distance of course ) and I could see she was heading for a serious case of cabin fever, but both her sons live in the village and thus can keep an eye on her and make sure she has enough food to see her through.

Biggi

Helping Out.

Grocery run.

Our community has roughly about 1200 souls split over five villages, Eisenberg being one of them. Many are pensioners and have suddenly earned a new title; corona virus risk group and have been advised to stay home as much as possible even forgoing the treat of buying groceries at the local shop, which now that I think of it, doubles as VNN ( village news network ). Health comes first and that is where I come in.

When the announcement to ' shut down the country ' was made almost two weeks ago, our mayor set to work and organized a viable way for most to shop without facing the danger of being infected while grocery shopping. The good old fashioned phone, to phone in orders. One step away from the ubiquitous online shopping but when one considers that most don't have smartphones or computers, a very reliable method. Villagers can phone in their order until 12 pm and have it delivered from 3 pm on. From yours truly.

Payment is made either via electronic or bank transfers so that no cash has to be handled. For the last week or so I have been driving around our neighbourhoods handing out grocery boxes, dressed with a face guard ( couldn't find a mask ) and doctor's gloves. Everyone has watched enough television broadcast by the health department to obey their caution. When I ring the bell, I put the box outside their door, step two meters away and wait to see that they are home before driving off.

There is something comforting about delivering groceries. And it is nice to get the smiles and thanks from everyone. As the week has progressed I have found that everyone is getting more used to the new curfew and more relaxed in the process. The groceries ordered are getting more relaxed and appropriate as well...biscuits and treats are making many appearances in the grocery boxes.

Life has changed, people are changing and realizing that a nice bar of dark chocolate shared with a loved one is just as good as going out for dinner...if not better!

Biggi

Another Silver Lining To Our Staying At Home.

Our volunteer firemen shine.

Just after lunch I looked out the window and saw a barrage of heavy black smoke pirouetting across the top of our neighbour's roof, more than the normal ' burning of backyard twigs ' would make. Add to that the high wind speeds we've been having all day. Yikes, it needed investigating.

Walking up our garden I soon realized that it indeed was a proper fire and hotfooted it back inside to phone my neighbour, whose parents live near where the plumes of smoke were emitted. She told me that the news had spread and that the fire was in someone else's yard and that the siren had been sounded.

Taking a warm jacket I hastily walked up the road to see and stumbled upon what seemed like most of our village looking on and almost the whole fire department at work in their respective gear, holding the high pressure hoses while dousing a burning garden shed. Gosh, the flames were stubborn and I must admit to having a twinge of fear lest sparks made it to our barn or house.

Most of our firemen must have been attending ( Bob couldn't because he was at work a long way away ) and thus tamed the beast soon enough. Thank goodness for all of us being quarantined at home because on normal days hardly any of the volunteer firemen would be at home.

A little while later I had to head out to Deutsch Schüzten for my afternoon food deliveries and couldn't help but smile when I passed the fire station...there they were, everyone's cars parked hastily but orderly on the verges showing that most came to help as soon as the siren was sounded. A huge thank you to our fire department because without them it could have been horrid, and definitely not what we need at a time like this...

P/S: It was great to see all the spectators keeping their two meters of distance from each other.

Biggi

Our Village Is Starting To Get Fit.

A popular route.

Solitude is slipping away on one of my favourite walking routes. It has been discovered or should I say re-discovered by some locals. A perfect walk with nary a hill to be seen when the shortened version is taken, loads of open fields and the odd entertaining troupe of deer quivering on the sidelines ready to hop to safety.

Naturally I am thrilled that more and more early morning walkers are making use of our absolutely stunning array of walks if for no other reason as not to be classified as that crazy gal walking all year round. I think I rank only slightly below our other year round outdoor fanatic...the runner.

Running into people along any of the walks is not a bad thing as it gives one a chance to exchange a few words more often then not about the state of the weather, the cuteness of a dog or the beauty of our environment.

My personal favourite route has now grown to at least five other walkers using it regularly. Not everyone starts at the same end thus we can avoid those slightly awkward situations where one doesn't know whether to join them or find a higher gear and motor past. Morning walks are a great way to center one's thoughts and prepare for the day ahead and in this stillness have an opportunity to appreciate Mother Nature.

Spring and summer could tempt more villagers from the safe environs of their comfortable homes in order to venture out into our picturesque surrounds, thereby ensuring a healthy future. Regular walkers have the edge on lounge lizards, not forgetting that healthy outdoor glow that many would pay a fortune for...

Biggi

A Village On The Move.

Our social club's excursion through the woods.

Once a year our village's social club organizes a long walk through our various vineyards and or forests. Usually around this time of the year and as this is the third one we've been able to walk with it was rather shocking to see the change in weather. Two years ago we slugged it through snow and cold rain and only were kept warm by Schnapps and Glühwein, last year it was kind of nice but still cold in contrast to today, where it was sunny and warm all the way through. Middle of February no less!

The nice weather must have played a factor in the amount of people who showed up. Almost 70 or so our mayor told us, came along. Part of the walk was new to both Bob and I. A long stretch through the forest proved to be magical although rather difficult trying to evade broken branches, puddles and pine cones. Stunning and magical to walk among such tall trees with the sun bearing down upon us through the bare branches.

There were pit-stops along the way and in true Burgenland style they served beer, spritzers or water. Coffee and tea are so not thought of here. At the third stop we had vittles and beer and another chance to mingle with people we would normally not meet. That is one of the great aspects about these organized walks. An opportunity to get to know our neighbours a bit better. I love talking to people and finding out more about themselves, their work or their family. Brings a bit of depth to them.

All in all we must have walked about 12 or so kilometers amid our beautiful bit of Burgenland but in the end, when Bob and I attempted to walk the last stretch home we threw in the towel and phoned my parents if they wouldn't mind to pick us up and take us the last bit in the comfort of a car. Thankfully they were happy to fetch us and thus we were saved from the last 4 kilometers...not such fun after sitting down for lunch.

A nice day indeed. Sun, exercise, friends and Bob...

Biggi

Beautiful And Serene Village Life.

Away from the hustle and bustle.

Those living in bustling towns, surrounded by hordes of people and being constantly on the go from here to there won't understand the sheer pleasure living in a small village means. Utter bliss.

Living in a village with less inhabitants than a modern high rise, translates to normalcy interlaced with peace and quiet. Just what the doctor ordered. Life is to be lived after all.

Rather quaint how small our community is. Take today for example. I was on the way to visit someone but driving along the main road I noticed her car outside one of the houses. Her friend's house. Yes, here one can memorize number plates and learn where other people's best friends live. Marvelous exercise to hone one's memory skills and also a wonderful way to be in the know!

Even a short trip to the local bank means a whole lot of smiles, greetings and conversations. Information exchange the old fashioned way, lingering long enough to find out about the other person's live, children and spouse. Moments like these are getting fewer and fewer in the modern world where bending one's head to read one's palm is becoming more and more normal.

Naturally there are drawbacks to living in a fishbowl. Rumours spread like wildfire and privacy is often only contained behind a big hedge. Yet, isn't that what makes it so very attractive...one is still cared about enough to be talked about and despite everything, neighbours still help each other out...

Biggi

A Cacaphony Of Hoovering.

House Music.

I juxtaposed my walk with an early shift ferrying customers to our local practitioner. Friday being one of the popular days for medical visits. Honestly, I am much more comfortable with early morning walks and felt like a werewolf at no moon or a vampire at the beach. Just not right.

The birds were more chirpy ( obviously they've had time to shake off early morning blues ), the fields were teeming with tractors and the traffic was horrendous. Well, for us that is. At least ten cars passed me! What is the world coming to...

So, I set out at bang on ten a.m. and braved a teeming village. Pretty sure folks thought their watches were broken! Walking down Dorfstrasse it started. A domestic concert of note. My gosh, if one could hear a hoover through those thick walls then it must have been a hardy week on the dust and dirt front.

Well, good for her I thought but then, the house two down on the left joined into the fray and emitted a slightly less shrill hoover ditty. She must be a lucky owner of one of these modern Dyson lookalikes which frankly I wouldn't mind having myself. Goodness me, when I heard it not mere seconds again in the very next house I realized that Friday must be designated Hoover day.

Obviously I can't say for sure if a cunning Hausfrau hasn't recorded a hoover session once and from then on awarded it hours of looping each and every Friday. Walls have ears and neighbours even more so. At times I try to picture these enthusiastically cleaned strong holds of village order and compare them to ours. At least any errant specks of dust and dirt get a warm welcome with us and are allowed to stay as long as they like.

Biggi

Funny Moments Are Really The Spice Of Life.

A soldier smiles.

Most nights when I can't sleep I defer counting sheep for a healthy dose of Medical Detectives. A real contradiction for sure what with it being a reality program about past crimes. Murderous and horrendous ones, but despite that I do prefer it to mindless shopping channels. Often I drift in and out of sleep and take in the odd gory detail but also hints about how to stay safe. I know, I know...

This morning felt right for walking along the Hungarian border and I was blissfully alone apart from birds, mice and the odd deer. Towards the end of my walk, just as I came up to the little chapel of Eisenberg I could see a car approaching me. First thought went to last nights program but then reality returned. Nothing so nefarious here and besides, the car was an army one complete with dark muddy colour and two soldiers in the cab. Safe indeed.

The closer they got to me, the more I hugged the side of the lane in order to give them ample space to pass me by. Often the soldiers are fresh out of school and aren't very experienced drivers. So there I was making a wide berth to the left when suddenly the car did the same. What on earth? Where they trying to run me over? Would anyone find me?

It took a split second for me to comprehend this driving manoever. The driver wanted to reverse into the parking space next to the chapel and as I happen to have stopped he thought nothing about driving within a few inches of me before reversing into his space.

Only a split second was I worried and somehow it must have shown on my face. Not sure if I jumped too but the passenger picked up on my emotions because he gave me a big guilty grin and waved his hand backwards trying to show me that they had had no intention of gunning it for me. Naturally I tried to pretend that at no time I was imagining myself stuck to the car's fender and nonchalantly waved back, nodded sagely and carried on walking.

I must say that it made my day. For once a soldiers showed emotion as usually when I pass them they only manage to nod a stern greeting. This whole episode made me realize how often we misconstrue each other's actions and of course I had to laugh at my imagination...but suffice to say, I wasn't the only one thinking along those lines...

Biggi

Eisenberg Had A Traffic Jam.

A wedding is had.

Rather funny to be stuck in traffic in our little village ( there are only about four hundred of us ) culminating in a traffic warden swinging his arms as if he was in Piccadilly Circus. Only thing missing was a whistle and cap.

We were on the way to Oberwart to start off with a nice bit of lunch. Yes, at the Chinese of course and as we only left home at half eleven you can imagine that the first twinges of hunger were felt. More so with Bob apparently.

It started already as we wanted to turn into Hauptstrasse. A whole caravan of sedans driving sedately through our village nose to nose, with drivers mostly in suit and tie. I couldn't see the women as they were on the other side to us. But surely, that was wedding attire? I cautioned Bob to not split up the caravan although, he couldn't see my point. Suffice to say that the only counter argument I could come up with was that it just was bad form.

So, we formed the tail end of the long caravan of wedding guests and had to also drive sedately through one Eisenberg to get to the other one. The Eisenberg Weinberg and that is when it started. The caravan slowed down immensely which of course drove Bob mad. Yes, he was hungry and as most women know, men are not at their best when running on empty. Nerves do tend to get frayed, quickly!

As we finally drove around the last corner out of the village, the plot thickened with a bunch of our local firemen acting as traffic officers helping guest of the wedding find parking. Yes, one of the young local lasses is getting married today and clearly accompanied into wedded bliss by oodles of friends and family. Eventually we made our way to Oberwart.

About three hours later on our return home, we couldn't believe it when we turned into Dorfstrasse yet again. There was a sea of cars parked on every lawn, driveway and verge. Gosh, can't wait to see the photos...

Biggi

A Slice Of Early Morning Village Life.

The watering saga continues.

It was just after six this morning that I was manning my watering station outside the fire station. Rather apt indeed. The two watering cans were already full and as I was approaching my first flower bed, I saw one of the local students walk to her bus stop. Lovely in summer but imagine catching the bus at six in winter? Yikes, but do it they do.

When I refilled the two cans, I had the opportunity to stare out into the road and wasn't disappointed. Gosh, early mornings are the hub of activity. A school bus idled past and apart from the driver most of the kids were nodding off to sleep or perhaps the deed of staring at one's phone resembles nodding off...

Two more cans dispersed and back to refill them. Next the bus to Vienna came past and it was rather full of people. Vienna and back every workday must be a tough pill to swallow. There it must be nicer to sit in the bus during winter than in summer. Two and a bit hours baking before and after work can't be much fun.

Today the beds were thirstier than yesterday but all those numerous refills gave me a chance to notice things and people. A car sharing crew drove past with everyone apart from the driver lolling their heads comfortably against the window. Still asleep and not prepared to take any unnecessary time away from the cloudy surrounds.

The locals were a bit thin on the ground apart from some farmers cranking up their loud tractors. The odd car drove up to the cemetery for their own watering duties and apart from that I didn't encounter anyone set on keeping themselves healthy but perhaps I was too early. Getting up at the crack of dawn isn't everyone's cup of tea...

Biggi

A Mellow Last Day Of A Long Weekend.

Another day in paradise.

Today was the official start to my flower duty and so far so good. Seven in the morning saw me schlepping several filled watering cans to the various beds languishing thirstily in front of me. There is a watering station next to the flower beds, so it actually was easy to do.

All in all I must have used about ten full watering cans but I must confess that it was a bit nerve wrecking trying to find the happy medium. My track record of keeping flowers alive isn't too great! To douse or not to douse? Ah, the intricacies of village life.

As my luck would have it, the head prefect of the village committee has her bedroom windows in full view of these flower beds and even though I hoped she was still sleeping in, I had a niggling suspicion that she was keeping an eye on me. Just for good measure I dead headed a few of the beyond help flower heads and think I did a fair enough job...

Watering done I carried on towards my favourite route and was met with brilliant sunshine, buzzing, twirling and the odd bark of a dog. A morning far too nice to stay in bed although a few might have decided to revive their vitality after a Sunday spent at the Burg Frühschoppen.

Often when I walk this way I encounter an older gentleman and his dog. He or rather both of them are always in the best of moods and even today he showed me a lone poppy which he thought was the bee's knees. What a nice change to have a conversation with someone who loves life, appreciates everything it has to offer and is as mad about his dog as we are about our cats. Just goes to show that it again are the simpler things in life which make a life well lived...

Biggi

I Cracked The Nod To Water The Plot.

A week of trust.

Just like anything of importance, this one came by post. Personal post but post nonetheless. After lunch the other day I ventured outside to check the postbox and lo and behold, a notice was there. Hand delivered it seems. At first I took it for some pesky advertising but when I perused it a bit closer and realized that I have been called up to village duty. A week's worth of daily watering the village flowerbed on display.

As nobody had phoned me about it, it sort of arrived out of the blue and thank goodness I didn't throw it in the rubbish because it would have taken a few days before anyone would have noticed the missing link in the watering chain.

As it is they are taking a huge gamble with me at the weekly helm, as plants do tend to meet their maker much earlier than necessary. But, for the good of the village I will be extra vigilant.

On Wednesday I surveyed my new work station and contrary to what I thought, these flower beds seem endless indeed. As long as I don't forget one of them although I doubt that will happen. As soon as Bob ( and mum for that matter ) heard the news that I've been allocated a week's worth of watering important flower beds, he already has taken it upon himself to go and check up on my handy work. Surreptitiously of course but drive past them he will and check if the beds are wet, as well...it might be quite funny when Bob and mum meet at the Eisenberg flower beds. ' Oh yee of little faith...'

Biggi

The Lure Of Labour.

One of life's little pleasures.

Village life holds many forms of relaxation. Either by participating in it yourself or by proxy. Is there anything more relaxing than watching someone else do work? Living in a village affords one the pleasure of talking with people, be they arbitrary, friends or family. In fact, not talking to people is a form of bad manners. Whereas in a big city one would be taken for a weirdo, here in our small village it is part of the village rule book. Taking an interest in others and what they are up to, and if one does have to share tidbits than hopefully correctly!

Nothing stays a secret and even the most banal stuff becomes public knowledge. Take this afternoon for example; I was helping my parents put a new coat of paint on their veranda ( a most punishing design when it comes to painting it ) and as it was a sunny afternoon, many villagers were out and about. A few stopped to shoot the breeze while at the same time relaxing along with the movement of our paintbrushes.

There is something special about watching others do mundane work. Be it the momentary joy of knowing one isn't doing the work oneself or the hypnotic repetition of seeing paint being applied which might be a little bit more fun than watching it dry!

Personally, I think that doing odd jobs outside the house makes one more approachable, more down to earth and it forms a nice conversation opener. How could it not? There aren't many occasions that we have the time to sit still and just be or rather just paint and how nice to have an occasional audience to exchange pleasantries with.

Biggi

A Village On The Move.

Who said that never the twain shall meet?

It was advertised ahead of time and just for good measure and to cut out any excuses, every villager received a gilded invitation in their postbox. A village walk through thick and thin...or rather through forest and uphill with generous breaks in between.

It wasn't a walk in the park as those from Eisenberg had approximately 10 km ahead of them and those unfortunates from Deutsch Schützen a dastardly 14 km. Meeting in the middle...not so much.

Bob and I had the easy 10 km leg of the walk and mum the 14 km, but neither posed any problem to us nor any of the other walkers. And plenty there were. At least fifty, which is a record for sure. The troupe was made up of nordic walkers, fast walkers, walkers, amblers and those counting the steps to the various watering holes. One would be mistaken for naming them after the infamous 19th hole of golf courses...let's just say that nobody was thirsty for long.

The weather was glorious and most of us couldn't believe that it was only the middle of February. As soon as the early morning chill had evaporated we mostly took off our jackets, scarves and caps. I remember the same walk last year was quite different with minus temperatures and heavy snow. Yet, walk we did!

The pit stops in between numbered two and gave everyone an opportunity to chill, relax and recharge as the uphill leg of the walk was sneakily left for the after lunch slot. Knowing that the only loo would be with an open view made me content with mere sips of water. Easy for the boys to take cover behind a tree ( although, many forgot their audience and merely used the first unoccupied tree. Eyes straight ahead was the name of the game for us gals ) to recycle their beer.

The walk was a success for the village and hopefully the word will spread so that next year even more will join in...

Biggi

Men Enjoying Life.

Neighbours.

This afternoon ( after Sturm Der Liebe had finished, the local staple ) I went to visit one of my elderly Eisenbergers and was surprised but also thrilled to see his neighbour sitting at the kitchen table with him. Company for him and a happy one.

They were shooting the breeze accompanied by a tot of Schnapps. Brilliant, why not indeed. Fortunately I had driven there so that gave me a valid excuse to decline an offer of a tot.

One could see that they have been neighbours for years and were as comfortable with each as if they were brothers. They were finishing each others stories and all in all it was a great afternoon.

Men of course can divulge almost as much gossip as we women are known to. Quite amazing to realize that men see more than we give them credit for! It was very amusing not to mention, interesting, to find out the latest on dits from around the village while trying to keep up with the thread of families.

A lot of local siblings have through the generations married not much further afield than perhaps two villages over which tends to make conversations littered with mentions of cousins, sisters or uncles.

It was nice though to see the two of them make the most of a cold and miserable afternoon and their laughter made it a pleasure to sit and listen for a while. A great reminder to enjoy the little things in life.

Biggi