Last day

Kate had actually wanted to go for a Greek meal to celebrate her birthday and I had recently been told by a friend in the village that the Greek restaurant in Ottobeuren was excellent. On Saturday we went there to book a table only to find they were closed for 4 weeks while the owners took their holiday, no doubt to Majorca or somewhere similar.

Yesterday on the way to the PYO strawberry field happened to spot the friend (an organic farmer who has a herd of Limousin beef cattle) driving out to mow a field for hay. I stopped him and asked what his Greek friend had in mind clearing off in the main Ottobeuren tourist season. He shrugged his shoulders and said "that's the Greeks" . He also added he was in a rush having being tied up all morning with the village kinder-garden children who had spent the morning visiting his large collection of tortoises. I jumped at the opportunity to ask if we could have a quick look the next day and he of course agreed.

So early morning we went over. He has been a pretty successful breeder of tortoises for many years, one of them is 27 years old and last year broke out by burrowing a hole under the wall and within a few hours had made it to the road next to our house, about 800m. Luckily someone driving past saw it and knew where it belonged and was able to raise the alarm. It took two people to lift him in to the car. I think he is the middle one in the extra photo.

He also has loads of other such weird creature including I think Colorado Toads which can be used to extract cannabis and some US citizens have been arrested for using the secretion for "recreational" purposes.

An interesting tour in their winter heated quarters which are to all intents and purposes a large room in the house with a large terrace glass door and a walled garden. Very civilised but given Ingrid and Walter's love for animals not surprising that they have such luxury - thank you both, we all enjoyed it very much.

Then not too much time left before having to pack up and leave for the airport and flight back to Ireland.

I don't need to say how very happy the family have made me over the last week and together with Angie for all her work in the background, a very big thank you from me for taking the time to come,