Schmuddelig

Actually not an official word to describe the weather of the last two weeks but one some use. A sort of German, perhaps Bavarian equivalent to the Scottish "Dreich". It should be used to describe the state of things: tatty, dingy, grubby. Well that's how the weather has been the last two weeks.

Two weekends ago the local ski-lift businesses in this part of Swabian Bavaria were as pleased as Punch to get their businesses open before the flash resorts in Upper Bavaria - Garmisch Partenkirchen etc. However it didn't last, the Föhn wind came from the south, driving temperatures up to 20°C for a day or two and it otherwise stayed rainy, damp, cool and nasty and worst of all brownish green alpine meadows.

At long last today the sun came out and the thermometer shot down. At midday it was only 0°C and with wind chill it felt like -10°C. We fled to the Bannwald forest for the walk, seeking out it's protection from the biting east wind and with the trees leaves now fallen, we did still manage a good soaking of sun rays.

The Blip is taken from the car park overlooking Ottobeurens basilica. Looks quite small. The town is below it on the other side. Quickly took the photo before jumping in the warm car, knowing I wouldn't be getting out to take another photo today. Even dog walk at dusk with the dogs was in another forest and the temperature down to -4°C and dropping.

Someone I know is still praying we will have snow drifts and storms by Friday. I do too but hope it's gone by next Monday. However I fear not.

Would have liked to have photographed the Alps for Pep in the UK who is still fighting her Myeloma, her main weapon humour. Thinking of you Pep but the Alps were not to be seen today.