As we went to breakfast I passed a painting on the wall. It was a single Poppy, and I love these bright red weeds. So I asked the manager about it. She told me the receptionist’s (part owner) mother painted it plus all the great castle paintings lining the walls. I’ll see her mother tonight to see if she might do a painting for me;  I love her style and similar Poppy passion that I have. I don’t know what they said but the guests took an eating pause and a lively discussion ensued. I will use this moment to remember to put together a poppy photo book. 

The part owner offered to take us up into the surrounding mountain forest where she lived – an offer too good to resist – but we did cause we’re here to walk but we’ll make an exception to be with our English friends who arrive tomorrow. 

An older German couple directed us up a mountain path which took us through this beautiful forest to a small village where the hotel owner lived. A 14 km walk up into the mountains was superb especially without the pack. It made it all the richer having befriended a local. Shafts of light pierced the forest canopy as we passed some recently cut trees. I noticed how careful they were in cutting their trees – hardly any on the track but when I explored a bit further I saw where they had taken the carefully chosen few. 

We explored the little village with its huge sheds used more so in the past for keeping farm supplies, grain and machinery. I also noticed how quiet it was and reflected for the first time, the lack of dog barking. It had become a normal past time to watch for aggressive barking dogs in villages in other European countries, but not here. 

Another more narrow track led us down past a dog and his owner, the dog was carrying a tree (I exaggerate a little) and wagging his tail came up to me laughing. But when he saw Corrie he swung towards her hitting me on my legs, then my painful cry had him swing back to apologise, and he whacked Corrie and then……you know the moral……

It was a coincidence that we left the top of the mountain and headed down. There were lots of interesting looking trails so it was hard to make up our minds. Finally we chose a narrow forest track and it was covid safe because there was no-one there. I said hello to about ten people but not to ask directions because we could see the town steeple.

The platz continues to excite us with their variety of history making architectural delights, one that really stands out is the one we have seen so many of – the English Tudor style building. It graces at least one platz in every town I can remember or like our recent home, in many of the platz and outside as well. I am curious about its agenda in Germany.

Tonight it was Carbonara ( Schinken) spaghetti for dinner and a white wine. I talk about this particular meal cause we ate at a two seater table on the street with people walking past. The waitress who served us was from Venice as was the man in the ice cream shop. So these two Venetians have come to work in Germany because there are no jobs in Italy and the ice cream man is frozen out of a job for three months starting in October.

A long walk in the River Tauber Park today with my kms still ahead of schedule, so back to my Poppy House before seeing the artist of the Poppy weed and I will share my five years of Poppy collecting with the receptionist’s mum at 8.30 in the morning, to be picked up later by our friends and taken to our new home in Rothenburg.

By the way I forgot to tell you that Corrie carried my pack for half a day when I was struggling and I know my pack is very uncomfortable for her, so I am very grateful for that.  I would not have made it otherwise. She seems to just power along regardless and if I was asked to choose someone I could rely on, on a long walk, it would be my wife.