Firefighting

No not from last nights curry. It was hot and I was somewhat surprised that my innards dealt very well with it - no problems at all.

Angie had set off with MrsB to the local flea market in Sontheim which is incredibly popular in this part of the world and takes place about every two months from spring to autumn absolute highlight for her. So no riding for the horses or dogs. Instead, I also set off towards Sontheim with the dogs, knowing that I could get a Blip at the 3-day long event to celebrate the 135th anniversary of the village voluntary fire brigade.

During May, June and until mid-July, the whole of Bavaria is celebrating some event or other. There are town, village, hamlet, clubs, societies etc all putting on an event, usually connected with putting up a massive marquee and drinking lots of beer. The slightest excuse will do.

Usually two sides to these events - daytime for the seniors with brass bands from the area playing and then in the evenings it's handed over to the youth for a band/DJ etc.

When we got to the site after the walk, all the local fire brigades with their flags had paraded their way to church and following the service had downed the obligatory few litres of beer. The members from other villages were on their way home (drink/drive) leaving the marquee to be filled by the local residents. One of the extra photos is of the flag bearers from the hamlet of Frickenhausen stumbling over the car park, the other of the beer serving area - more voluntary beer pourers than guests. The main Blip shows the brass band on the stage, on the left the various flags from the groups still there. It is more or less obligatory for all fire brigade members from the area to turn up and in dress uniform. There are quite a few in the photo but hidden at the front and not wearing their caps.

Quick Blip and headed homewards aware of a strange feeling in my back.
Spent the afternoon and much of the evening horizontal, simply KO. Got to miss a Blip meeting taking place in the house. Hopefully, we can get together soon and this time armed with the yet again honey-less meeting!

Well, the reason for the (light) pains but above all the lack of energy turned out at exactly midnight on Monday/Tuesday to be a rather nice sized kidney stone. Have had the occasional smaller one the last few weeks. Not unexpected as they were clearly visible in the last ultrasound sitting in the left kidney waiting to pop out. When I suspect a stone may be on its way, I use a filter from the hospital but otherwise, I have little idea if stones have come out unless they are very big.