Bleiburger Wiesenmarkt - Kids' Day

There is no worry about Bleiburg's succession.
Just come here on the First Day of the "Wiesenmarkt"
(Market of the Meadow) and you will find 'Kids' galore.
Today will be the official opening and I'll tell you more about this Festival.
Here are a few (a very few) pictures of today's proceedings.

Fourth Bridge

Talk about a Bridge!

This is 4th bridge over a swampy area in 

Moremi National Park

in the Okawango Delta, Botswana.

Die Freyung

It happened in 1393 that the ruling Count, or was he a Duke?.......

In any event it was then that the Citizens of Bleiburg received permission for the first time to hold a "Market Festival."

It was an event. of such considerable significance, that it is still celebrated yearly on this date. 

Two weeks later the "Festival of the Meadow" was held, which today is the biggest Country fair in this area.
Think about this for a moment: Columbus, on his way to find a route to India, stumbles upon what later was called "America." He "discovers" America in 1492.
When it comes to "Discoveries" Columbus is a bit of a late comer.
Because the People of Bleiburg discovered the joys of a party almost 100 years earlier.
They were so happy to have beaten Columbus to the punch, that they are still having a ball during the "Wiesenfest!

In this "Planting of the Freedom March" into the town square,

first, of course, comes the music,  followed by the bearer of the "Freyung"

then comes the Mayor  and other town dignitaries

and then, everybody else who wants to be there.

The Ladies and the Gentlemen of the local Costume Club

come in the lovely costumes of times gone by.

The most important part is the cart with which the huge jug of "Met"( honey-wine) 

is brought to the party.

The Mayor, having had the first "sip of Met"

declares it better than ever

and certainly drinkable.

This concoction is brewed every year by 

Mr. Gottfried Stöckl, 

the towns acknowledged best 'Konditor' (sugar baker)

Group photos

with everybody who wanted to be in on the fun.

Transmission Interruption

Sorry, not to have posted in quite a while.
I am very busy writing a book about all my African Safaris    
talk to you soon....
Bertstravels asks for you patience.                             

Pacific Theater of War.

There is a great deal of News emanating from the various News Media, regarding the bombing by the Allied Forces of  the two Japanese Cities: Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
A quick summary of what led up to these devastating air attacks is, I believe, called for.
None of which is ever mentioned in the News Media.
It is always stated that the Allies ( USA) bombed those two cities with horrible results:
On August 6, 1945 an Atomic Bomb was dropped over Hiroshima, killing an estimated 90,000 to 140,000 people.
On August 9, 1945 a similar bomb was dropped over Nagasaki, killing 40,000 to 80,000 persons.

So far are the reported facts, and special Memorials for those killed are called for.

What is never mentioned are some additional details:
1.) Japan, by its bombing of Pearl Harbor, started the entire calamity. Plans, to  conquer USA possessions as well as territories claimed by the Netherlands were well under way. 
2.) The Allied forces, USA, United Kingdom and Canada had experienced very high losses and estimates regarding additional losses ranged fro 1.7 to 4 Million casualties of which 400,000 to 800,000 would be deaths.
American studies, as well as the estimates of the Japanese General Staff suggested a staggering 5 to 10 million casualties to be suffered by the Japanese forces.
3.) After having defeated the German Forces, who, on the 8th May 1945 signed an unconditional surrender agreement, Japan was offered the same unconditional surrender document, which the  reigning Emperor, on the advice of his Generals, rejected, although a terrible devastation was threatened
4.) A renewed  call to surrender was issued to the Japanese on the 7th or 8th of August, after the Japanese had experienced the result of the first atomic bomb attack. This renewed call was ignored by the Japanese with the devastating result of the second atomic bomb.

As terrible as it all was, I believe that some of the facts should be known and considered.

Bertstravels
hates all wars

The Little Mountain Brook

Despite air temperatures in the mid 30s,

this mountain brook has his own ideas

regarding comfort levels.

.

it comes in at about 10 to 12  degrees.

I took a shower here, but had nobody to hold my camera.

Wrong way Corrigan

What is this man doing wrong?

He sits on the normally designated "rear seat"

which, when you are alone makes the front of the Canoe 

rise high. So, even a gentle breeze will turn the boat.

He should be sitting on the front seat, facing the stern.

Because he is now more weight centered, the canoe will not rise so high above the water and it will be easier to control it.

*****

The biggest mistake he made, however, 

was that he did not ask my advice.

This red streak in the water is not a spill from an oil tanker.

But it is a reflection of a red umbrella

in the green waters of Little Joe Lake.