Franz to the rescue

Today the "C" word is allowed. This evening the Nuernberg Christkindlesmarkt opened at 18:00. It's one of the best known and a favourite of the Americans and Japanese but by a long way not the most visited. Bavaria is the largest state by area but not population. The largest state by population is North Rhine Westfalia which incorporates cities like Cologne, Duesseldorf & Dortmund all three of which have double the amount of visitors each to their Christmas Markets than Nurnberg. But as they say here it's not about "Masse" but "Klasse" - I think you can work out the translation. So tonight I opened one of the bottles of local Swabian/Allgaeu beers J & Barry didn't manage last month, a dark 5.5% alc. Altenmuenster Winter Beer apparently ideal with lamb or casseroles as well as blue veined cheeses and even chocolate deserts. Sounds an ideal beer for the UK - lamb, stilton & chocolate pudding.

Understand that in a part of Berlin with a high immigrant population (not Swabians I point out who seem to be the most unpopular immigrants there) the council has said they cannot hold any "Christmas markets" as the wording may offend - instead they have to be called "Winter markets"!

Before downing the beer had to do some work and as mentioned yesterday, Farmer Franz came at the crack of dawn (8:30) to bring us a bale of haylage for the horses as my tractor's diesel is frozen. Thanks Franz who did this despite feeling unwell - a touch of cold - maybe he could use the eggs & honey we gave him to make a warming egg nog with a dash of rum - get well soon.

Otherwise normal day, temperature just above freezing and a good flurry of snow predicted tonight.

Have a great weekend one and all and enjoy your winter markets.