25 - 31 October 2010

This week Caspar has particularly enjoyed spending time with his young cousins. On a family walk he was overheard to say, as he led the two boys over a crevasse, "Stay close to me, because if anything happens, I think I'm responsible". They followed him over the crevasse and into the garden with the ferocious dog, back out of the garden with the ferocious dog, and then Hamish fell in the river.

18 - 24 October 2010

We have reached the conclusion that 'the book' that we are always endeavouring to do things by, is an incomprehensible tome. High on a small dose of entrepreneurial spirit we visited the Wirtschaftkammer (Board of Trade) with a modest money making idea, only for the wind to be sucked out of our sails with a bureaucratic vacuum cleaner. Of course we can run a little business which will require us to perform simple tasks such as book a hotel or drive a minibus, but only after the required three years of training and study. It seems that it is not only the French who don't have a word for entrepreneur.

11- 17 October 2010

It can be pretty quiet in Maria Alm at this time of year. Evan and Gemma, visiting for a few days, popped into the tourist office to ask if anything was going on at the weekend, and were possibly not suprised to be told that absolutely nothing was going on at the weekend - and then were again surprised to find out by chance that in fact Maria Alm was hosting a meeting of choirs at the weekend with 800 singing visitors from far and near, some with big hair and fur coats, open air performances, gluhwein, schnapps, associated merchandise. It would not be an exaggeration to say, given that this is just a little village, that something was going on at the weekend. Maria Alm is becoming infamous for the unusual methods of promotion employed at its tourist office. Popping in with a simple question or request is a 'must do' experience for all visitors.

4 - 10 October 2010

A flying visit to England at the weekend for Justine and Simon to attend the wedding of friends Polly and Rufus. When not sitting in traffic on the M25 they enjoyed wonderful company, food and music at Hampton Court Palace where Rufus is organist and the nuptials were celebrated.

27 September - 3 October 2010

The 41st Oberammagau season is over for another 10 years and, after a two year beard and hair cut embargo, the villagers will probably be keen to get new coiffures. After being crucified (and boy was it convincing!) 5 times a week for 20 weeks, in front of 500,000 visitors (tickets at €125 a pop - that should build a village hall or two), Jesus also really needs a holiday, as do the 2000 other villagers who were involved in the production. Although maybe not the hairdressers; following their recent slow period they are looking forward to a boom and have a special offer on - the longer the hair the greater the discount. We said goodbye to our last guests and went to find out what the big deal was. And it really was a big deal.