Mikes Blog

A ride with Gebhard and dinner with the Speisers
Saturday 21st April

We were going to go walking at Obersdorf but ended up going to Kempten so Zita could buy something to wear for the First Communion tomorrow. On the way, in the middle of the day, a fox (Fux) walked across the road in front of cars, totally carefree. This is unusual behaviour for a fox. Maybe it has Tollwut (rabies). I have been asked to play some music as part of the Communion celebrations later in the afternoon at home. I haven't any suitable music. I go to the music shop to find something, which takes a while, and then do a little interneting. By the time Zita and I meet up again it is too late to go walking. So we drive home and Gebhard and I go for a mountain bike ride. This was through three different valleys, along pathways and bike ways, through forests and across fields. We take the route up Schwarzengrat. This is a forested hill (about 1100 metres) which I have run and cycled up many times in the past. It s about 300 metres of vertical ascent. On top is a 40 metres wooden tower with an internal stairwell. We climb this and from the top observation area is a great view over the surrounding country side and not so distant mountain ranges. We continue down the back side of the hill, a completely new and exciting forest trail for me, into Kreuztal - a valley I had never been in before. By more minor roads, tracks and cycle ways and after 3 and 1/2 hours generally fast cycling, we get home. Such interesting, varied cycling around here. Mountain biking in this area is really popular with locals but generally unknown to people outside Germany I think. I am running late and so have a quick shower and dinner before Zita and I head off the visit Renate and Elvin.

It is great to see them and also very nice that Michaela, who knew we would be there (and who had stayed with us for a while when she visited New Zealand about a year ago) came to visit as well. Our conversation ranged from the sadness and pain of the illness or death of loved ones to hilarious attempts to teach Elvin some New Zealand English - phrases such as 'Bob's your uncle' and ' A bit of a dag'.