Heavenward

Angie off early to GP but today I lingered with getting out for the dog walk and she was back within half an hour. Then out for the walk, dogs enjoying the snow even if Flash had a few difficulties with snow collecting in his front paws and a fall on a very icy bit of tarmac. All four stretched out in all directions of the compass. Embarrassing but only for him and he looks at one sadly while he waits to be lifted up. However crunch up a bit of snow in to a snowball and he is dancing around like a puppy waiting for it to be lobed in to the air. Bless his very big paws.

Farrier was due today and Angie had in anticipation got out last years "Grips", rubber strips about an inch wide in horseshoe form that are placed between metal shoe and hoof and thus fixed by the nails. Through the flexibility of the half inch rubber overlap in the inner side of the hoof, the snow is "flicked" out before it gets packed and the horses stand on stilts. Don't cost much but as they are not subject to any real direct wear, they usually last for at least 2 winter seasons.  However Richard phoned to say he was unwell and postponed the visit. Luckily no heavy snow expected in the near future.

Rest of the day somehow boring, one or two minor jobs done and a bit of fun sorting out winter clothing from old boxes and cupboards. Seem to have enough stuff to equip Germany's entire Olympic ski and sledging team. I had been on standby waiting for two parcels which according to the tracking Apps would be delivered. One with the standard German Post which is very reliable and one with Hermes, a service which seldom works well due to staff turnover. Postman Pat came as expected (extra photo) much to Luna's joy. He said they were now in "full stress" but the Post still just coping whereas the private services were on the verge of collapse and in certain areas were now refusing to accept parcel shipments. Does anyone consider or value the "social care" service provided by the old fashioned postman? He knows his customers and is probably the first to spot when an elderly person is in trouble or indeed be the only person who has regular contact with them. Our postman must be the best in Germany, always a treat when he is forced to bring a parcel and knock on the door.

A news item this week said that while Munich's paper refuse collection tonnage had sunk dramatically in the last 5 years or so, the volume had increased proportionally dramatically meaning in effect the refuse lorries were collecting and driving around the city with air. All due to very little paper being used, no more catalogues etc - now all online information gathering and ordering with an explosion in cardboard boxes which many don't bother to cut up and fold together.

Hermes did arrive very late just as I walked down to the road to check the letterbox just in case it had been thrown in. In the distance I saw the van parked up by the last house (700m away) and then the van came down the road and I stood out on the road. The driver had been Googling to check the address. My Blip Grandfather in the UK, Nogbad is currently fighting with Parcel Force to get a delivery. Today they surpassed themselves by sending him a letter by post saying his address didn't exist!!!!!!

At 6pm advent started for me with the opening of the Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt  (Nuremberg Christmas Market), if only on TV. The city fathers have been under great pressure to open the market earlier but they are still sticking to tradition and waiting until the Friday before the 1st Advent Sunday. Good on them. OK - the stands make a bit less sales this year due to the reduced number of selling days but I doubt the profit changes much.

Somehow ended the day on a "down" note. Recently some good progress made on a the odd issue which today took a knock. Knew it would happen and had warned of it but still disappointing. Will hopefully be sorted quickly.

Anyway now the word Christmas can be used and I will look at Blips that have such motives. Have out of protest been avoiding any so far. Normally the progress through Advent is a slow one but this year it will reach it's peak within the next 8 days!