20*+C+M+B+201?

Today a public holiday in Bavaria - Three Kings Day - or more commonly in English, Epiphany. The day when the village youth visit all the houses collecting money for a children's charity (this year focusing on children in Kenya) and writing in chalk above the doorway, the symbol blessing the building. Have explained it more fully in previous years.

Always a bit of a waiting game as the day is actually variable and also the time unknown and they have to take a van ride out to us. I think they must have come very early today when our gates were locked and we didn't hear the door bell. I had prepared the door by rubbing out the "6" from last year too - so now we have to wait until 2018, not a happy thought being "unprotected" in this seemingly uncertain and turbulent year.

Time also to take down the Christmas decorations including the sign made by my daughter last year. However in our household I have no say in this matter and so don't be surprised if you see the odd Easter Blip with the decorations still in place.

Angie was out riding in the afternoon and did spot the village Three Kings  but only from a distance. Not sure how she managed to get out in the cold - at 5:00pm when I took Flash out for his walk it was -18°C and even got to -21°C when we got back. See extra photos