Taxing Day

Last night covered the bedding plants being stored in the greenhouse with bubble wrap against the night's frost. The wind had calmed down and the sun shining so took off for a walk in the fields near Ottobeuren. Flash in good form, so much so that he had a very taxing look when I refused to through sticks in the water for him to fish out.

Back home opened the post, one from the parish council. Not a notice of prosecution or fine for yesterdays trespassing but the annual "Dog Tax" invoice. Sure I have described this several times but ....... Dog tax is a discretionary parish tax, the proceeds of which can be used for any purpose the council chooses. i.e. each council sets the amount (can be zero) and use it for the office Christmas party.

In Sontheim, first dog: 40 Euros, 2nd: 80 Euros and each further dog 100 Euros. Dogs used for official hunting, dogs for the disabled, dogs for herding animals and dogs used for breeding are excluded as well as one guard dog per house in an isolated position, commonly taken to be about 1km from the next house. Council agreed to give Flash 50% discount as there is a house about 700 meters away - luckily they don't know what a bad guard dog he is. However, I was very pleased this year to be paying the 20 Euros for Flash. I guess Luna's 80 Euros goes some way to recompense the villagers for the air pollution she exuded yesterday.

Angie home early and wanted to ride. Put Flash in the car and joined them when they were on a track. Although we allowed him to get out and join them for a short walk, he didn't want to. Back home, he did walk around nervously awaiting their return.

Blip is of Angie, Luna & Sultan in the dandelion covered fields where MrB's bees are busily collecting their pollen and nectar. His beehives are just out of the shot at the top of the photo.