“American artist, photographer and professional wanderer who, after 20 years of roaming, put down roots in a 100 year old Bavarian farmhouse and fell in love with the Alpine village and its residents (both 2-legged and 4-legged).”
Sankt Nikolaus is coming… put your shoes out!
So have you been naughty or nice? On the eve of December 5th, all across Germany, excited children put their shoes outside so Sankt Nikolaus can fill them with wonderful gifts and treats. It is traditionally the shoes are filled with items like oranges, various nuts, chocolate coins and possibly cookies like cinnamon spiced Speculaas.
On December 5th in Schliersee, Old Sankt Nik likes to do things a bit different and with a bit of an alpine flair. In Schliersee, he might fill your trusty old hiking boots with local Almkäse or mountain cheese produced high on the mountain by one of our local farmers from our happy cows. Or he might tuck in a beautifully hand carved wooden Edelweiss from one of our many talented wood carvers.
I awoke bright and early on this crisp and sunny December morning to find my much loved and much tested hiking boots filled with local hiking magazines, some maps, fresh fruit to tuck in my pocket for when I headed out on my daily wander. And as an added bonus brand new trekking poles to provide stability and motivation throughout the year. Last but not least a beautifully printed Schliersee lens wipe which Old Nikolaus must have purchased at our local tourist office. Just perfect for wiping off the bitter water spray which always coats my lenses while photographing the icy Neuhaus waterfall.
This year I must have been very good because I did not receive a visit from Krampus, who is Nikolaus’ evil looking helper. He must have just passed me by. Phew! Better luck next year Krampus.
Laura Boston-ThekAmerican artist, photographer and professional wanderer who, after 20 years of roaming, put down roots in a 100 year old Bavarian farmhouse and fell in love with the Alpine village and its residents (both 2-legged and 4-legged).
Winterizing your Ride
On the day we moved to Schiersee, as the moving company was unloading our truck to the back drop of the wintery Brecherspitz mountain, I kept hearing one word in German mumbled under their breath…” Schneeloch”, simply translated to English as “Snow Hole”. I think they thought we were absolutely crazy to move from the historic downtown of a city to an old alpine farm house surrounded by trees and mountains. That is not how we saw it at all. We envisioned snowy mornings, sipping coffee by the heat of wood stove and jumping into winter boots to make the first foot prints in the fresh snow. We are two years into our alpine adventure and Schliersee has not disappointed. Call me crazy, but most days I feel like Alice in a Wonderland.
Our first snow since becoming Schliersee residents, one of our neighbors called us and told us to grab our sleds and come over he would show us the best local sledding spots. Mind you it was a blizzard out and our sleds were ones I had found on a trash pile that I used for decoration but that was not going to stop us from joining in on the winter fun. We did take some mocking from our friend who had what I can only describe as the Ferrari of sleds. It was all sleek and sturdy and he swore you were able to actually steer it. So began our search to find the perfect winter sports car…I mean sled.
On the advice of many locals we were told to go make a visit to the Schliersee Radhaus and talk with it’s very knowledgeable owner Felix Wolf. He was amazing. He took my husband out back to an extra warehouse absolutely full of sleds. He explained to us that the Gasser sled made in Tirol was really a lifetime purchase. Most German families will have a range of sleds from sleds for the baby on to adult sleds. It was a big investment but for us it was an easy decision. We love winter sports but with both of us having joint issues this was a great way for us to have a fun winter sport we could do together.
I felt very much like Goldilocks trying to choose my sled. My husband’s was too big and heavy and others just didn’t fit me right but Felix brought out a young boys sled that was “just right”. He took our sleds in the back and sharpened our rails and explained to us how to properly store them so we could enjoy them for many seasons to come. Another thing I really appreciated about Felix from Schliersee Radhaus was his emphasis on sledding safety. He didn’t just sell us our sleds he explained to us basic courtesy while sledding and important gear we would need. He asked us to make sure to always wear a proper skiing helmet. Having enjoyed two wonderful sledding seasons, we have been witness to several accidents where sledders were ill prepared and we are grateful to Felix who prepared us correctly.
Felix shared some of his tips about buying and storing your sled:
- Store the sled standing up in dry place
- If you see rust starting on the rails, which is natural, give the rails a good wipe down with course (50 – 80 grit) sand paper and then apply a very light coating of oil
- To keep rust from forming on the rails during storage cover the metal rails with packing tape
- ALWAYS wear a helmet
- Have as much fun as possible!
If you are coming to Schliersee or Spitzingsee for sledding and are ready to commit to your sled. Drop by the Schliersee Radhaus and talk with Felix. Don’t hesitate…Winter is just around the corner. For more information on Felix Wolf and the Schliersee Radhaus:
https://www.facebook.com/SchlierseerRadhaus
Laura Boston-ThekAmerican artist, photographer and professional wanderer who, after 20 years of roaming, put down roots in a 100 year old Bavarian farmhouse and fell in love with the Alpine village and its residents (both 2-legged and 4-legged).
Frauenbund & Santa’s Workshop
In my search of Santa’s helpers in Schliersee, I stopped by Gasthaus Seewinkle on a windy afternoon right before first Advent and the opening of Schliersee’s Seeweihnachts I had an insider tip that a group of Santa’s helpers from the Frauenbund in Schliersee would be gathered and busily preparing their items for their Christmas market stand.
The very talented women of the Frauenbund, a group of 15 women and one very handy man, used their many skills to help earn some money for their many social causes to which they contribute. The Frauenbund in Schliersee is a Catholic organization with 115 female members.
These wonderful women take the work out of Christmas preparations through their delicious hard work. They have lovingly and traditionally made various Christmas cookies as well as hand sewn pillows and decorative hand crafted, delightful poinsettias. Many vintage style of religious ornaments so delicately created with an obviously skilled hand.
If that isn’t enough of a choice, deep in Santa’s workshop Martin Huber, also known as head elf, has been hard at work cutting decorative holiday items from wood to give your Christmas that warm natural touch. I saw rustic birch wood hand painted Santa figures and various wooden festive votive holders.
I highly recommend a visit to Schliersee’s Seeweihnachts with it’s festive lights reflecting on the lake. Grab your first fragrant Glühwein of the season and drop by to see all the friendly ladies from the Frauenbund and their many hand crafted decorations. These items are all very unique gift ideas. You won’t find anything similar on Amazon and the money you spend will go to help many great causes they support.
Having just come from taking photos of the ladies in their Santa’s workshop while they were packaging up an incredible array of beautifully decorated Christmas cookies. As a kind gesture they gave me a tasting of their cookies for me to bring home to my husband. He said they were absolutely amazing. Poor man lives with a gluten free wife so it was a real treat for him.
Schliersee Seeweihachts will be held 26-27 November at the Schliersee Kurpark directly on the banks of the Schliersee. The times the market will be open is from 2 pm to 8 pm on Saturday and 12 pm to 8 pm Sunday.
For more information:
www.schlierseer-weihnachtszauber.de/seeweihnacht
Laura Boston-ThekAmerican artist, photographer and professional wanderer who, after 20 years of roaming, put down roots in a 100 year old Bavarian farmhouse and fell in love with the Alpine village and its residents (both 2-legged and 4-legged).
Leonhardifahrt – The Blessing of the Horse
The grinding sound of wagon wheels, bells and low whispered prayers while steam rises in the morning light from the backs of beautifully liveried horses…that for me is Leonhardifahrt in Schliersee.
On a crisp autumn morning in November, the wooden carriages begin their procession to the St. Leonhard Chapel in Fischhausen. Each hand painted historic wagon, decorated in the old way with straw, flowers and religious themes is filled with gloriously dressed men and women.
This colorful procession is to honor the work horse and livestock. I know your thinking another event to celebrate the cows? But of course. Why not. They certainly deserve it. This centuries old farming tradition gives thanks to the patron saint of livestock, St. Leonhard, with a blessing by the church.
When I first moved Schliersee this was the one event of the year everyone was talking about. You can imagine my excitement when I started to see these ancient wagons being rolled out of barns all over the area and the decorating beginning. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning and this event did not disappoint. From the incredibly detailed local costumes to the polished to perfection, colorful livery and the endless stream of proud and prancing horses. This is one event you can’t miss.
After all the carriages arrive and are lined up to make their passage past the ceremonially dressed priests and receive their blessing everyone parks their wagons in the field behind the chapel. This is a great opportunity to get a close look at all the beautiful details that goes into each carriage. There is a small church service held outside with the beautiful backdrop of our local mountains. Some folks gather in the small baroque chapel, another site not to be missed, and say their prayers in the smokey Frankincense scented interior.
For my friends and family, we like to head over to the Wasmeier museum for a beer and a meal afterwards.
The event begins at 9 am on 6 November 2016 at the Leonhardi Chapel in Fischhausen. This chapel is located on B307 just passed the lake in Schliersee and before you reach the train station in Neuhaus. This road will be blocked on the day so arriving early or taking the BOB train is recommended.
If you would like more information about Leonhardifahrt, please click the link provided: http://www.schliersee.de/sommer/kultur-lebensart/tradition/#c1471
Laura Boston-ThekAmerican artist, photographer and professional wanderer who, after 20 years of roaming, put down roots in a 100 year old Bavarian farmhouse and fell in love with the Alpine village and its residents (both 2-legged and 4-legged).
Autumn Traditions and Time Travel – part 2
I met Hartl once more at his breathtaking lake side farm early in the morning while the dew was still glistening on the grass and the fog was beginning to lift revealing the mountains once more. After our long jeep ride up the mountain passing several groups of hikers heading up Bodenschneid in this perfect wandering weather.
We arrived at the Alm early that Sunday morning and Anna and the other Hirteren (herders), Sennerin and farmers were calmly preparing the cows for their festive procession down the mountain, through the town and back to the farm. It is rather amazing how calm the cows remain even once they have received their large ceremonial bells and the head pieces. The calmness is attributed to the care and calmness of the Sennerin and her many helpers. If the humans remain calm, the animals follow suit…for the most part. They are animals after all and can be very unpredictable. Like humans each animal has it’s own distinct character.
Looking timelessly beautiful in her Trachten (traditional clothing), hair braided in the traditional way and decorated with Edelweiss. It was very obvious Anna was leading this show and with pride, as she should be. Very few famers in our region had a successful season this summer due to extreme weather. Once all the selected cows received their decorations, and everything was put just right, Anna began to lead them home. Of course the cows had ideas of their own and ran in different directions but through the skill of Anna and her many helpers the cows were once again quickly organized and down the mountain, through the forest they went.
Their journey took the group along ancient wandering forest paths of which I can only imagine hundreds of years of farmers traveled before. For over two hours they negotiated these mountain paths cheered on by the many hikers and cyclists they passed until they reached the edge of Schliersee and we on the homestretch to the picturesque farm in Hausham.
Once everyone had entered the farm and the cows were brought once again into their lush green pastures the business of deftly removing the decorations began. They are removed quickly and with care even if the cows seem to have difficulty giving up the pretty decorations. Part of the history of Almabtrieb as being a way to give thanks for a successful season but also it is important to hang the decorated bushes, head pieces, on the outside of the stalls to continue to bring the herd good luck.
The Baurernhof or farmhouse was situated with the mountains in the distance and was truly spectacular. Hartl and I were given the great honor to join the family and all the helpers in a magnificent meal on the sun soaked terrace surrounded by the delicious scent of warm vine tomatoes ripening. For this time traveling wanderer it was a life long dream.
If you would like to visit Rainer-Alm
http://www.bergwandern-für-senioren.de/huetten/index.php?gebiet=2&huette=213
For a wonderful farm house vacation or amazing cabin in ski season:
http://anderlbauer.schliersee.de/unser_hof/unser_hof.php
Laura Boston-ThekAmerican artist, photographer and professional wanderer who, after 20 years of roaming, put down roots in a 100 year old Bavarian farmhouse and fell in love with the Alpine village and its residents (both 2-legged and 4-legged).