Chim Chim Cher-ee

Chim chiminey
Chim chiminey
Chim chim cher-ee!
A sweep is as lucky
As lucky can be

And this sweep will be in London tomorrow! He flies with family from Memmingen to Stanstead & spending a few days in a B&B to do the London sightseeing tour. His first visit to the UK.
Sweeps have a special status in Germany & in part more rights than the police. They can insist on entry to all rooms where he suspects there is a fireplace/installation & if refused can return with police & key service and that without a courts approval!
Officially thanks to the European Council much changes on 01/01/2013. Up to now the country was divided up into sweep territories each with an official sweep who was the only one who could (had to) undertake the cleaning, emission tests & approval for new installations. It was a monopoly, had the advantage that you never hear of chimney fires whereas the UK has some 10,000 p.a. and I think the house fire insurance is much lower than in the UK. Naturally he is also responsible if damage through fire or suffocation. So twice a year Mr Dischl comes to visit, cleans & checks our open fire & central heating. It's good to keep "in" with him as he is also a parish councillor!
So if your in London the next few days & hear someone speaking German, with a sooty mark on his cheek and a faint resemblance to Dick van Dyke, shake his hand & ask for a bit of luck. His forename is Guenther not Bert.
PS Mary Poppins was made 1964 one year before yesterdays tractor. Made the mistake of calling 1965 tractor "old lady" - wooops someone in the household was also "built" in 1965. Probably McDonalds the next few days.
Have a great Haloween.