Farewell to the Barn

Today I am off to the Schwabische Alb.  Yippee!!  The High Country.

And back to work for Bear. Have the couple of weeks he has had off turned him into a Deutsche Lounge Lizard or will he be right into the sheep action?? Either way I will be out there with Georg, dogs and sheep.  

Exciting stuff. Just what I came for.

But I am truly sorry to leave the Barn. I have loved it. So here is a rather self indulgent sentimental send off, for the true GSD/sheep herding fanatics;

Leaving is Hard to Do

I am now leaving Lampertsweiler and all the other Weilers, Bergs and Dorfs. And it would seem that I am moving to the land of the ingen.
Having visitors has got me out and about, normal things have made me seek out facilities in the town (eg hairdressers and the best Backerei) and I am now settled and very fond of my new little part of the world. I am now quite happy to speak German, although it mainly consists of apologies for not being able to speak it!! And my German has a strong visual element!!

So here is a fond Farewell, just a few random pictures that speak to my growing nostalgia.

Bad Saulgau is rightly proud of its 4 Stork nesting pairs

I still love seeing all the Feldscheune as I drive around.

Local scenery that is part of my daily life



The daily activity of a big dairy farm

The local TV did a little piece on the farm stay where I am. If you look you can see Kermit! I was there but did not realise it at the time:      Drehers Erlebnishof

Its April!! Already?

I am now celebrating my first month here and I am in a state of disbelief. Have I really been here this long and has so much been happening?

Over the last week and a half I have had visitors (Martin and Wendy). It has been a good time for me to have visitors as most of my afternoons are free. I can even do a few touristy things. 

I have to tell you that Kermit has been ill. He is not young and his bones are a little brittle. When Martin arrived I had a bright red VW van. Naturally he was disappointed. However, Kermit rallied like the trouper he is and Martin was able to have a "fan" drive.

A benefit (??) of having Martin and Wendy here was that they both like the German food and wanted to try all the local specialties so it gave me a respite from the steamed vegies I have been having. It might get me into trouble though. I have found that I do like their dunkle beer and their breads and cakes.

Bear is missing Martin after a few days' rest. He is looking for the long runs through the countryside. He will get no runs from me!! Just strolls!! But he will soon be back at work. I go up on Thursday (13th) to Hausen an der Lauchert, just out of Magerkingen.  And Georg and the sheep will turn up a week or so later.

Marbach Horse Stud

Georg and Margot gave me an absolute treat by taking me to Germany's oldest State horse stud.

The Stud has several properties. We saw mares and foals and the Stallions. There were also several working arenas but the young horses were at another location. 

The arena for the annual Stallions Assessment was there but I was very disappointed to hear that it is held in the first week of October. I have commitments in America then.

But it made me determined to find somewhere to ride as soon as I move and settle in.

Many different breeds are at the Stud. Here is an Arabian grey. The stud has an old bloodline courtesy of the Duke of Wurttemberg.

Naturally the Stud is very proud that they had a horse in Germany's Eventing team at London and Rio. 


Here are a couple of links for the horse lovers  Wikipedia  and Magazine Article

Guest Contributor 2

Let me introduce you to my most recent visitor.

This is my friend of many years, Wendy. And she came from Wales to have a long weekend with me.

Eating and Drinking:

With Richie:

And even with the Sheep:

LIFTOFF

This last week my nephew has been here visiting and teaching me how to use a photographic drone.

We made these two videos. No sheep. Just Bear and Kermit!






And to end the blog here is a video that was meant to be a photo!! And as you can see I did have my glasses on. The complexities of the modern flight deck..........

Introducing De Crespigny

Those of you who know me well know that I am fascinated (obsessed) by stories of aircraft failures and crashes. A very foolish interest for a person who travels by air so often. 
But I love the drama and the complexity of the investigations and I admire the determination of the aviation community to find, and learn from, the causes of all aircraft faults and errors.

And without a doubt I am fascinated by air travel. Leaving the ground. Leaving the planet. (If I were younger I probably would sign up for Mars)

So, when my nephew Martin and I somehow came to the conclusion that I needed a Drone (photographic only) and that it would need flying skills I naturally referred back to a hero of mine, Qantas QF32 pilot Richard De Crespigny. 

I now introduce you to the newest member of the Bear and Alexa in Germany Blog team  

Herr De Crespigny: (aka Richie!)

This little beauty is now going to give me tons of fun and no doubt it is going to get me into lots of trouble!!!

As you will have seen from the previous blog, Martin has been out here training me. I admit there have been a few rocky moments but here are some of the results.

Lampertsweiler

Drehers Erlebnishof. My Balcony is on the left behind the duck pond.

Learning the Ropes

Bear and Alexa

Guest Contributor

I would like to thank all the generous words that have been in the Comments, as well as some interesting information given.

But I think that a change is as good as a holiday so I am going to offer all my visitors the opportunity to contribute to the blog. A sort of Comments in a Guest Book. There will be no given criteria, no "suggestions" and no minor censorship. BUT my Contributor will have to remember that although he has changed his citizenship Rupert Murdoch is still my nationality by birth and I have the ultimate power of COMPLETE deletion!! I have the password to the Delete button. 

So, my first visitor and Correspondent is my nephew Martin who has come over to set up the blog's new gizmo.......the Drone.

As part of the new generation of multi media creators Martin has chosen to present his blog the "modern" way-via the 21st century pen and paper.....YouTube