See la vie – Private party in the vineyard:
The winegrowers of the bavarian part of the lake of constance did a private party in a vineyard for their friends last sunday. Great day, weather, wine, sound, folks, organization, and food. I hope there will be See la vie 2.0. Thanks a lot to the winegrowers Deufel, Haug and Lanz.
Valle Maira – cemetery:
Between Celle di Macra and Palent we found this old cemetery in the mountains. I can not say exactly which church/cemetry it is. Even with the ma, be-cause the density of the churches in this region is so dense. It could be Addolorata, Vergine Assunta or Anna e Giuseppe (please comment if you know it for sure).
I was fascinated by the quietness and peacefulness of this cemetery and the rustic beauty of it. I do not know exactly where my fascination for cemeteries comes from. It it the quietness, the look back into time or simply the fact that the shortest way to school in my childhood was through the cemetery?
On this particular one, most graves had a photo of the loved ones on porcelain of the gravestones. The newest graves dated back to around 1940/1950 so the time when most of the inhabitants of Valle Maira left it. To say sorry for disrupting the quietness of this place I placed a flower on the latch of the gate.
Valle Maira – Maira Valley hiking:
We just came back from hiking in the Maira Valley / Valle Maira a forgotten jewel and rediscovered luckily. It´s often revered as the a black spot in Europe be-cause of only 2 inhabitants per km2 but it is recovering from that status. Before and after the WWII the area was more and more abandoned and houses and land were left behind. The Schneiders a german couple found this jewel around 1980 and with the help of some extraordinary personalities from the valley they founded the Percorsio Occitani a connection of treks and posto tappas (shelter and some of best food + wine on this planet).
We met great people there, had a glimpse into a forgotten culture had great food and wine and will for sure continue this amazing experience within the next years. The combination of extraordinary trekking, culture and good food (wine) is just too unique!
Back from holiday:
Yes we made it back and even had a great time! Updates soon – stay tuned…
be-cause is on holiday!
For the next 10 days “probably” no updates. We will go hiking, eating and taking pictures in one of the most uninhabited areas of Europe.
The closest guess in a comment will get a present from there – I promise!
Longhorn skull belt buckle by Feinschmuck:
Not officially announced yet but available now. Available in bronze, bronze aged, or bronze plated with silver (gold if you desire is possible as well).
Neighbors new Rooster and his 5 chicks:
About 2 weeks ago I woke up by the crow of a rooster. It´s common when I say with Maria but not at home – so i was a bit confused. My mother told me later that the neighbor got a rooster and 5 chicken.
Guess what – I love it! Today I finally said hello to him as well. The neighbors are old school farmers who are retired but still have about a dozen sheep and now some chicken. Great den and they got lot´s of grass to feast on to get fat. The rooster is still young but already huge. He got a crown shaped comb. Probably a cockgame kind of breed.
Damn Yak “Gift” – Gorilla Shoe – Made in Canada:
I was a bit jealous when Eric posted the images from his parcel he got from Japan today, but when I came home from work there was one for me as well.
Some weeks ago Chris from Damn Yak asked me if I´m interested in a deadstock pair of boots, made in Canada. Before that mail I promised not to buy any more shoes/boots for a while. But his offer was more like a generous gift so I had to have them. Even they were labeled half a size too small I took them.
If they will be abused for work or have an easy life will be decided within the next weeks by wearing them in.
Chris, thanks a lot for the boots and the nice postcard. Even that we never met in person I know we would have a great time. Let´s see it might happen either in Canada or in Europe.
He made me this pouch a while a ago and brought my attention to the great swiss army backpacks.
Check his website – he is definitely one of the good ones!
Hiking to the Mörzelspitze:
We just did a short hike to the Mörzelspitze. The dogs (Kitty and Paul) accompanied us on this foggy and mixed with sun and clouds tour. Nothing too spectacular on this hike but it is just about 30 minutes to drive from Lindau. Heading towards Austria – Dornbirn and drive up to Ebnit. Great rivers and rock formations on the way up to the beginning of the tour. About 4 hours and I would say about 800m in altitude maximum. A picknick at the summit (close to it) and on the way down a Rüblikuchen (carrot cake). A nice day outdoors with the dogs and feeling of accomplished something.
Vintage belt buckle from Amtraq being feinschmucked:
When we visited Uwe from Amtraq at his showroom in Munich he gave me a vintage belt buckle from his personal collection. Feinschmuck did 3 reproductions in bronze. One was just polished, one was darkened (angeranzt) and one is being coated with silver (still in electrolytic bath, images will be available soon). Which one you like the most?
be-cause - style, travel, collecting and food blog 