Jakobsweg - Way of St. James

No one will believe me but it's true - A certain Gregor Himmler adopted/bought/named the storm low "Schorsch" (George!) which blew over us today. Low Tino is sitting over the UK and heading our way tomorrow. (Greetings to ex-boss Tino & family in Florida). Had rained very hard overnight, all the fields full of water but no flooding as such. Wind unpleasant so short morning walk.

Late afternoon, the dogs & I went to Ottobeuren to take a walk in the sheltered Bannwald, the subject of lots of past winter Blips. Just as we set off, I noticed the two backpackers taking a break at the carpark and strangely one had rock climbing ropes attached to his waist. Apart from the normal Bavarian "Gruss Gott" greeting, I asked if there were any cliffs to climb in the forest and so we came to talk. Thomas & Bernhard, who come from the area, are starting off on their way along one of the St. James' Ways leading to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, sadly in the news following the appaling train crash in July.
A charming pair and it was great to meet them. They don't yet know how far they will go, taking it as it comes. Sadly lows Schorsch & Tino aren't making their lives easy but hope it gets better. After we parted, it occured to me I should have given them some money to light a candle for me in some special point along the way or at least buy themselves a pint of beer when they reached their goal. When we returned to the car to get my wallet, they had sadly moved on. I had given them the Blip address and hope one day they will see their photo (even if it isn't any good). Would love to hear how they got on.

When we finished the walk in the woods, we spent quite some time playing "sticks" on a field overlooking the Basilica and enjoying the wonderful sunshine which had appeared, even if it was only a temporary break before Tino arrives.

Now those who don't believe my "Schorsch" story. I have mentioned it on Blip before, but all highs & lows are named in alphabetical order. 2013 lows have male names. Through an official site, one can reserve a high or low letter of the alphabet and then name it. This is used by all weather forecasters in Germany. Here is the list in English.. It's quite interesting to look at the highs & lows list. There was not a single High in May, 5 in June and 4 in July but luckily 7 in August. The high on 30th July was named "Antonia" as is my daughter and the day was/would have been my mother "Antoinette"'s birth day. Now there's a coincidence.