wo sich Fuchs und Hase gute Nacht sagen

Where fox and hare say goodnight to one another.
(or maybe Haggis and Wolpertinger)

A bit uninspired after yesterday's wonderful day. Felt a bit like the weather, undecided: constant very light snow and temperature at +/-0°C so not settling.

Looking for inspiration set off in a new direction for the dog walk. Coincidentally to the general area where a friend shot himself by accident two weeks ago when he slipped from a hunter "high chair" . His funeral was exactly one week ago.

The area is very forelorn, agricultural and a bit run down. Lots of small hamlets with smallish old farms. No sign of life anywhere but of course the weather didn't encourage hanging out the washing and weeding the garden. There is another more common expression for such an area than the title of this Blip, but it includes a word which doesn't raise eyebrows in German but could lead to my having to walk the Blip plank - the latest episode in this saga at least gave me a good laugh today..

Didn't find anything of interest, so set off across fields and along the edge of forest. Much of the forest was young thick plantations, ideal for wild boar and as the area seemingly doesn't attract dog walkers, cross county skiers, bikers, nordic walking groups let alone more than one car an hour, I suspect there are a few around. (MrB has a much longer list which includes Naturist walkers....)

I think MrB (our hunting friend) said last year some "mouflon" wild sheep were spotted in the area and coincidentally as reported on radio news today, there is a difference of opinions whether the 8000 odd mouflons in Germany should be allowed to live. They are not native having been imported from Sardinia/Corsica about 100 years ago. With the wolf slowly finding it's way back in to Germany's forests they make ideal food for them and the hunters are keen to encourage them. However the forest owners, mainly the state, are complaining about the amount of tree damage they do. I am open minded (don't accept the tree damage plays a significant role) but suspect they would be better off in the more mountainous rocky area along the alps as this is more their natural habitat and gives them a chance against the odd wolf.

Bit like the report on German TV recently saying the British Royal family had declared war on the grey squirrel. However not as bad as todays's news that the German owned supermarket chain, Lidl,  is having a Burns Night special with 8 yd. kilts this week (to allow time to practice a twirl or two) and freshly shot haggis from Thursday.

However it seems this offer is only available in Lidl stores in Scotland so I  wonder if Tochterpleach would like me to ask MrB if he would keep an eye out at the weekend in case he sees one - they are very rare here, just like their Bavarian cousins, the Wolpertinger. Being a Sassenach I have no idea how long one needs to hang a haggis or whether it can be eaten fresh. I did have a haggis once in South Queensferry - I think it was either the victim of a juggernaut or fell off the bridge and drowned.