Boandlkramer

Our deep depression last night was made worse by the news mid-morning that Sepp had had another cardiac arrest and that he would be getting a temporary pacemaker today and they would be taking a bone marrow sample.

Somehow don't understand what is going on. Sepp went into hospital 15 days ago with the diagnosis of a very poor blood test. 14 days ago then the coloscopy and still no diagnostic result. Lots of side issues as the bowel was punctured during the coloscopy - blood poisoning, peritonitis, liver and kidneys not functioning well, water in both lungs, heart, breathing ...... and only now is the bone marrow being tested, a basic, relatively easy but very important test of the blood.

So after checking up with the rest of the family, Angie yet again set off for the hospital. I was feeling awful myself so didn't do much, simply waiting for some news which eventually came late afternoon.

Sepp is sitting up, talking, ordering people around, joking, watching TV, drinking by himself, wanting pen and paper to write ...... which he then gave up and dictated an invitation to the family to attend a party he was planning for Christmas time.  The pacemaker was not fitted as further checks showed he wasn't that acute.

The mood was so good that after yet another demand from Sepp to have something or other, which had included getting his bed and room furniture reorganised so he had a better view and a crate of beer, Angie suggested she should bring a pack of cards and a bottle of Cherry Schnapps. Sepp didn't catch on straight away although she was referring to something he has always joked about - The Boandlkramer (or Boanlkramer)

It's very Bavarian - "Boandl" deriving from "bones" and "Kramer" from "trader", the Boandlkramer is a male who will politely knock on the door, apologise for his presence and say he had been forced to look by. He is himself a very pale, ill-looking figure who comes to visit you to try and do a deal on buying your body. In other words, "Death" and I guess the closest in English is the "Grim Reaper" but in Bavaria, one has sympathy for him because he looks so sick, helpless and close to death himself.

There are no doubt loads of tales of what then happens but the aim is to trick him. So out with the playing cards and trying to win while filling him up with Schnapps and hoping he gets drunk and fails to do a trade.  

A Bavarian who is visited by the Boandlkramer would be surprised but not shocked but he wouldn't allow himself to be simply "collected", only if he was ready and prepared to go. There are numerous written works, films and recently a very popular comedy film on the subject.

Sepp smiled and nodded agreement. And the afternoon turned to evening and Sepp couldn't get enough of it. Angie eventually had to say she needed to get home but he insisted sister Sigi stayed on.

What more can you say? Tomorrow is another day and on past performance, a good day has almost inevitably been followed by a bad one. However, Angie's spirits when she got home suggests that just maybe, Sepp may be at a turning point where his body is now fighting back and very importantly he has declared he isn't ready for the Boandlkramer.

Blip is of one of the two streets in our new village 30km/h speed zone. It forms part of one of our standard dog walks. Don't even put Luna on the lead as the chances of a car passing are very small.

A lovely red sunset and the weather forecast is saying we have a good 10 days of wonderful Indian Summer in front of us. Dry and temperatures around 20°C, ideal for the traditional walks and rides in the Alps.