Bodabira-Club, Attahausa - Part 1

At the crack of dawn, Angie disappeared off to Augsburg with friend Kathi to go to the biennial (every two years - biannual is twice a year) Americana Western Horse Riding show & tournament, the largest in Europe and even attractive enough to have horses flown in from America to take part. I am sure some of the 354 odd trade stands will manage to lighten her wallet and as usual, she will meet a number of old friends she hasn't seen for two years.

Weather was good for spending the day walking around the fair site and for me and the dogs, was also quite pleasant for the morning walk around Erkheim. Nice to see Flash on good form again.

Late afternoon set off for the beekeeping supply shop about 15 minutes from here. It's only open on a couple of days a week and for only a few hours, so had to be sure I got there before they closed. Need sugar fondant so that the bees can build a supply of winter food. The late honey they make - Honeydew - is not very suitable as it is high in minerals and can cause diarrhoea. Complicated these bees!

Late, as usual, was driving out of the village when I spotted the scene on the Blip and recognised it as the village "Potato Club" in action. Had often heard about the club but knew very little and had never seen them at work. Quickly jumped out and walked over and was greeted by lots of friendly faces but with only 30 minutes until shop closing time and 15 minutes drive ahead, I could only quickly take a few snaps and said I would come by tomorrow when they do the sorting and sacking and find out more about the "Club".

In the Blip, the two sons of the farmer who provides the field, machines and shed as well as being one of the founding fathers. The tractor is a 1952 Deutz F1L 514/51 with 15 hp and 1330 cm³ towing a Lanz LK20 potato harvester. I forgot to ask how old the harvester is but it was built to be pulled by horses. These first harvesters (sling/centrifuge) were first developed by the Brits Hanson and Coleman in 1852. A plough breaks open the ground and the rotating spring tines throw the potatoes to the side to then be collected by hand.  In the background the helpers with buckets collecting the crop.

Managed to get the bee sugar and then went down to the nearby farm where our geese came from in the hope the sheep farmer may be there for a quick chat before I took the dogs for an evening walk around the farm. Luckily he was in just about to sit down for an evening meal with two of his friends - sheep dish of course. He insisted I stay and I joined them for a beer (I had sensibly brought along my own bottle of 0.00% alcohol-free beer). Just before dark said our goodbyes until I return soon to collect a male Höckergans (Brown/grey Chinese goose with the bump on the top of its beak) and the fellow who raised our two. The farmer wants to get rid of his flock, most have gone since our visit a few weeks ago and he would like this one to live on for a while.

A quick walk around the farm, the sheep were far in the distance so couldn't check Luna's reaction. Then dashed home phoning Angie to see if she was home and said I would collect a curry take-away. Turned out the takeaway was closed for its summer hols, a not uncommon practice in Germany. So ended up with a frozen Pizza and heard all the tales of Angie's clearly great day. I didn't ask about the wallet and simply ignored the piles of full carrier bags in the hallway!