Fog gone, cold coming, they say.

As it got dark this evening, it started to drizzle lightly and was trying to turn to sleet. Don't think it will come to much but just be unpleasantly wet for the next few days. The proper cold weather isn't due until next week. Let the horses on the field next to the house before we have to close it while it is so wet.

Today is a religious "Bank Holiday" but then again not. All very complicated but except for the State of Saxony, it was sacrificed in 1995 to partly finance the then introduced State "Care Insurance" which pays for care of the elderly & sick. It's 1 of 5 such insurances all employees have deducted from payroll, the others being health, unemployment, pension & work injury. It pays for care at home or if not possible at own home then in an old age home. Children of elderly are however legally required to financially support the parents before the insurance kicks in.

In Bavaria it remains a holiday for schoolchildren causing problems for the parents who have to work normally. Has led to some institutions and companies declaring it a "family day" and allowing children to be brought to work. In Saxony employees have to pay an extra 0.5% of their income in to the fund to compensate for having a free day.

So another normal hard working day here .......

Hope you all survived Wednesday & now packing bags for hols or rejoicing in the downhill run to Friday.