Well... first impression is ok....

I went out for groceries at noon. And brought Millie a mess of big shopping bags. I hadn't seen her in over a week, and she was closing up her stand with her husband. She always loves getting big shopping bags, for when she sells potted plants, so they get a bit 're-cycled' that way, you see.

And she wanted to know all about Peter, and I told her he was on his was to Gamlitz as we were speaking.... And added that 'The Venerable' had looked it up on Google Earth, and said he remembered being there, and how beautiful it was.

And she gave me this absolute horrified look, and exclaimed, 'Oh, please don't tell me he's getting old age dementia as well!!!???'

I bust out laughing. I said, 'It may be over twenty years ago, but the fact is, he was there.' It was his first visit, and we were at some friend's place in Leibnitz, and my friend took him on a fast tour of what is called the Weinstrasse. Because there are so many vinyards. 'So he does remember.'

'And he has good memories of that trip.'

And he went up three notches in her already high estimation. And she gave me a whole mess of tulips to cheer me up. I thanked her, but didn't want to keep them in my mess, actually. Am always so distracted, they die on me in record time.

So I meandered over to the tobacconist, and gave them to my 'angel'. Michaela. (She is somewhere here on the blog wearing angel wings and a halo during Fasching three years ago.) So I explained I hadn't bought them, and that I just felt like passing them on and make somebody happy, and she loves flowers. She is a very nice young lady. And it made her happy, which was the point.

Went on to the supermarket, and who should pop up behind me but W. Yes, French Foreign Legion guy. And returned my keys, so that I can now get in the front door to the square, after manouvering over sheer ice to get out the back way for a month. I said, 'Oh, thanks, have been asking you for weeks, and now I get them after all the ice melted.... but I didn't break a leg, at least.' He is still in a clinch with his ex, she has filed two lawsuits accusing him of attacking her, and he filed one for slander. What drama, hey...

So all that held me up a bit, and was thinking, 'He probably tried to call, and am out messing around.' So I called the home, and asked if he had arrived ok. The young lady in the reception desk was very nice and polite, which is a good sign. He didn't pick up, so she said, 'He might be asleep, should I run up and look?'
'
And I said, 'oh, no, no, no... Just say that Mr. B. called.'

'Oh, I just heard he is being bathed.'

'Ok, will try later, thank you.'

While writing this, he called... He said The Venerable' was right, it is very beautiful there. And said he finally had a tee-vee. And in the background a nurse said, 'flat-screen'. (It is the same in German.) 'Flat screen'. Uh-huh...

And I said, 'Well whaddaya know, hey, next it will be with Dolby. 'Who would have thought it.'

I contacted my indefatigueable ex-colleague E. who lives in Leibnitz, which is on the way there, and asked her to see how often the busses to Gamlitz run from the main square. And said, 'Maybe we can go for a corfee on the return run, and I can see you on a break, and meet your family.'

I will probably go on Thursday.

Have a lot to do beforehand.

He sounded ok, and that is good.

And oh yes... Dad, I think if you use Google Earth and write in 'Schattenweg 489', you will see where I will be going to. I don't like that name... shadow way, nope don't like it. And if you decide to go to Leibnitz, add Römergasse 3. Yup, you were there. But put in the city and country name first, and then the street and number. It should get you there.