We were excited to return to Munich to visit our friend of many years, Renate, who lives at Ebenhausen, which is south of the Bavarian capitol in Germany. After a two-hour flight on Easyjet - the 'only one piece of luggage in the cabin' airline - Renate picked us up for the one hour car journey south to her village.
The next morning (happily I slept in) then woke to the sounds of a band playing nearby. It turned out to be the day the village prepared for the painting of the May Pole. It takes weeks to prepare for the raising of the pole in May. Laurie and Renate had gone shopping for fresh bread rolls for breakfast so they were already watching the parade by the time I got there!
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| The band played as the pole was brought into the village of Ebenhausen |
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| The 30 - metre long log is carefully moved along the street. No traffic control here! |
We were surprised at the length of the tree. It was about 30 metres long. It took ages to go past us as the tractor had to move very slowly. With precision driving the tractor, trailer and further down the length of the pole another trailer carried it along the little street.
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The pole is carefully moved into position on the racks built for the purpose
The ground was very soft but the large furrows made by the tractor were quickly levelled, gravelled over and a pre-made shed put in place. This is to provide shelter for the 'guard' who stays all night protecting the pole from being plundered by any neighbouring villagers who want to take it for their own village! If the pole is stolen negotiations begin involving large quantities of beer and food!!!! Note the timbers in place for the roof over the pole.
This is the pole we saw last year. The poles last five years then they are replaced. The cut outs along the pole represent professions carried out in the village.
The process was very interesting and an incite into the culture of this part of Germany. Maypoles can be seen all across Bavaria and May 1st is the celebration day with dancing and much food and beer.
The next day we headed for a walk along the shores of Lake Stanberg. This beautiful lake is a mecca for Germans in the summertime. We parked a long way from the lake so we had a decent walk. It was lovely.
Not sure what the sign refers to….maybe wind surfing?
The properties along the lake shore are worth a fortune
Our long walk to and along Lake Stanberg took us to a little village called Sebald im Ammerland where there is a wonderful fish restaurant which only has outdoor seating. It reminded us of the La Dolce Vitea weekend in the King Valley where we have many times sat at tables at Pizzini's enjoying home made fare.
Laurie, Renate and Sabine at the outdoor restaurant which reminded us of Pizzini's
It's a family business where each sibling has built a house for their families on the property
It was a beautiful setting and we had a lovely traditional meal which we chose from a display in the shop
Now this is a wood pile
Next we head for a day's skiing at the Austrian resort of Kuhtai.
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