Medieval

Some may think an implement to fire boulders over the castle ramparts at the invading hordes of infidels. Not quite but given the result of todays German election might have explained the result.

No today was Ottobeuren's autumn market which I have Bliped several times in the past. Loads of street stands for food, handcrafts etc and even more oldtimer tractors.

Angie shot off there early in the morning to get some fresh bread and - a very tasteful "and" - a couple of roasted mini Pork "Schweinshaxe" from our butcher of choice, Fischbach who also opened today for warm snacks.She brought them home together with their potato salad and a pot of gravy. Lunch was sorted!

While there she bumped in to our forester (see yesterday's Blip) and explained our problem. No problem, he will come and have a look. Seizing the opportunity he tried to sell her some game meat, mainly deer and wild boar. Not only is he responsible for the trees alongside our property but he is also the official gamekeeper. The Bavarian State Forestry Commission has "discovered" a new source of income and is now very strongly in to the meat business with their own set up - from gun to oven, with their own slaughterhouses, butchers, chilling, packaging, marketing and sales. Ottobeuren is one of the main Commission offices in Bavaria and we could now buy our needs directly from them. Angie declined the offer of a tasting saying she had our lunch from the butchers.

In the afternoon we both went to have a look around the other stalls but being somewhat late and the odd sprinkling of rain, most were packing up. Including the Ottobeuren Voluntary Firebrigade who had amongst others, their 1902 , 22m (72 ft) ladder which was in service until 1981. The boys from the brigade were only too willing to pose for the photo and send greetings to their colleagues around the Blip world. They also have further old timers including a 1944 Dodge WC62 they bought in 1950 from the US Army in Munich and converted to a fire engine. It was retired 31 years later in 1981 and is undergoing an extensive restoration - somewhat costly as spare parts have to come from the USA  but apparently the truck was quite popular and there are still parts to be found.