Unstitched

Every day this week have had to go to Memmingen for a docs appointment - Monday to have half my ten stitches removed, Tuesday a simple quarterly chat with my Internist as no problems. Didn't take the dogs as never quite sure how long they have to stay in the car and anyway we had done a good morning walk. Today the appointment was midday to have the remaining stitches removed so could only do a short walk. As the other appointments had only taken 20 minutes, took the risk and the dogs came along.

All worked out well, parking spot in the shade even though only +1°C, windows open and again all done within 15 minutes. As the dogs rarely get to smell what their city slicker colleagues are up to, we then did a walk around the town. Only had one lead but luckily with a hook at each end. Actually didn't need a lead, they hardly moved from the first corner wall. They seemed to love it and I was overjoyed that I didn't need the little black plastic bags in my pocket.

At the scene of the Blip, there was a duck couple (Dagobert & Dorette)  in the stream behind me which I was planning to photograph when the dog Blip was in the can. Just as I took this shot, they took off flying no more than a meter from me but I or better said, the camera was too slow to catch them in flight, so no duck Blip for RedFlash to show to her pair in London.

The building in the background is the former Tax Office built in 1495 and now home to the very Bavarian named "Hamptons" cafe. (see extra photo) - People were sitting outside but sheltering under the arches as there was a slight breeze.

The stream in the Blip was an essential part of the fresh and waste water system for the tanners mentioned in a Blip last week. Since 1465 it is emptied annually in summer to clean it of the rubbish but before doing so a competition involving 1600 men (no women) jumping in the stream dressed in medieval garb and armed with hand nets, fighting to catch the biggest trout and be proclaimed "Fish King" for the year. Attracts around 30-40,000 spectators.

Especially all you East Anglian Blipers  -  book a Ryanair £20 ticket from Stanstead to Memmingen stay at a hotel (about £60 for a double room- not per person), a day strolling around the medieval town and then the next day take the train (£18 unlimited use of entire Bavarian rail network and can take up to 4 more people for £4 per person) for a days sightseeing in Munich. Don't come over a Sunday if you want to shop. And on request can arrange a Blip meet - for free.

PS The Fish King event is still done because the stream is emptied, the event makes quite a bit for charity but is not without it's critics - Womens and Animal Rights (two separate, unconnected issues). There are strict rules as to how the fish are treated - none are killed on site and must be put in a bucket with a given minimum amount of water. Rules for women are still being drawn up by the mayor and councillors but are expected to follow the rules for fish.