Mystery

Angie set off in the morning to meet family for a walk & lunch. I could have gone but didn’t want to spoil my day! The main focus of attention was an AfD fan and with the best will in the world, I wouldn’t be seen in their presence even if a freebie lunch was on offer.
 
So Luna and I set off to Ottobeuren and a lovely walk around the Schickling route. Every Sunday afternoon they have a guided tour of the estate and the artwork of Erich Schickling. His major interest was stained glass and on a wonderful sunny autumnal day like today, the works will be seen in their full glory. As most of his commercial work is in churches throughout Bavaria (but also Rio), they will probably all be glowing today as the high pressure sits over the state. But there was a breeze in the cool morning air and change is on the way.
 
I have ended up showing a photo of the small Schickling bell tower as an extra photo. We were too early to hear the midday Glockenspiel, a lovely classical music bit, the name/composer of which I have forgotten. This is just one of many buildings on the estate used for musical/art/religious events.

 
Then popped into Ottobeuren itself to see if there were any “Kirchweih Fest” events or symbols on display. Was rather disappointed that the only one I found was a solitary red & white flag hanging out of one of the Basilica bell towers. Not sure why red & white are the colours of Kirchweih. What I did notice and what puzzled me was the round, clock-like “ornament” that the flag was attached to. Both towers have this on each of the four sides. The circles are marked at the quarter hour positions with – I,II,III,IIII (not IV). There are no hands or pointers. I can not fathom out their purpose. Any ideas?
 
And being within whispering distance of Mert’s Kebab shop I dropped in for the first time since they have moved to the new central marketplace location.  A lovely friendly young Turkish couple, even more Bavarian integrated than I am. Hearing Mr Mert on the radio a few weeks ago talking about having to shut his shop for the pathetic AfD demo in the town provoked me to demonstrate for the first time in my life. One of the cardboard signs on that demo but held by a very white-skinned. blonde German girl read “AfD supporters secretly eat Kebab”! €4 for a good portion of cooked meat in a pita stuffed with fresh salad beats any €4.29  BigMacand I certainly enjoyed it while I wondered what Angie was eating.
 
When I was writing about the background to the Kirchweih festival, I tried to find out if there was an equivalent English feast. And indeed I did but with a very unexpected result.
 
Do you know where the word “Bridal” originates? From beer!
 
In medieval times Bride-Ale was the wedding of a couple used to raise funds for their future life. This and lots of other interesting facts are shown on the very short Wiki page “Parish Ale” which also shows “Church Ale” was the equivalent annual Kirchweih event being held on the church’s Patron Saints Day and used to raise funds for the upkeep.
More proof if any is needed that the UK and the Rest EU have far more in common than most would think. Was nice to see 700,000 Brits showed yesterday that they know that.