Sun & Shadow

While living virtually in the forest has its advantages,  at this time of year it's not so good for sunshine hours.

Been an absolutely beautiful day, -9⁰C at 9am but then got up to around ÷0⁰C which is a lot better than -0⁰C!

The left photo was taken at home at 3pm as sun dropped behind the trees, the right one, exactly an hour later, was in Ottobeuren as we set out for an early walk.

Sadly, in Germany private sales & use of fireworks are the norm. In 2020 and 2021 when fireworks were banned due to Covid, private sales were only €21million for New Year, bringing massive financisl problems for the industry. 2023 it had recovered to €180million and was expected to increase a further 15% this week. Fireworks can only be sold on the last three working days before NYE, i.e. they started on Saturday and there were massive queues. All supermarkets, Aldi, Lidl & Co do massive business.

It is also only legal to fire them between midday on NYE and midday New Year's day. But of course, several people don't stick to the rules and as most pet owners know, this leads to problems. NYE afternoon it increases gradually and so tried going for an earlier walk away from village's & towns. Didn't work - 5 minutes into the walk, several went off in the distance, enough to scare Luna. At least she had done her business.

Healthy New Year everyone... and if it's Happy that's a bonus. If you also have Good Glück that's a blessing. I have my doubts when I look at politics, both in Germany & further afield.