The Lindwurm and the Dragon Killer of Klagenfurt.

I can no longer count the number of times I strolled around on the "Neuer Platz" in Klagenfurt, the Capital City of the lovely Province of Kaernten (Carinthia). I always knew that there was the monument to the brave Carinthian in the middle of the square. Some people insist that the hero is "Hercules" defending a virgin from the virgin-eating dragon. I rather doubt that you could identify this man as Hercules. Herk, to the best of my knowledge, did not have a mustache.
The other day, about two weeks ago, I again found myself on the "Neuer Platz", with my camera at the ready. So for the first time I really looked at this monument to the brave defender (Hercules or a Carinthian farmer) of virginity.
The first thing I noticed was that Herk just sort of stood there. There is no tension in his stance. His body reveals none of the aggressive nature one would expect when a man confronts a fire breathing dragon. No crouch in his knees, no anxiety in his face. No, he just stands there with his nail studded club raised above his head.... But wait... does he intend to strike the Lindwurm?
Clearly not. Our Hero just scratches his head, contemplating his next move. Should he whack this thing over the head or just go home and tell his wife: "You won't believe what I saw today".
And then it occurs to me on still closer examination: The man is scratching his back with the club. He's got an itch at the place...you know it well.... this hard to reach place, just below and in between your shoulder blades. Yes that's what he is doing. He's scratching his back.He means the worm no harm. In fact, the two know each other well. They are almost friends. Look at the way the worm-dragon curls his tail. That's the same gesture as when a dog wiggles his. And in any event. The fire has long ago left the worm's belly and he just spits a little lukewarm water. A little like a friendly dog who, after having chased the stick thrown by his master, sweats from his tongue.

I stand there, looking through my camera, viewing this scene. Any moment now I expect the man to throw his nail-studded club, the Lindwurm turning around, fetching it and bringing it back to the man, panting heavily and dripping saliva from his tongue.

That's what it is: Not Hercules battling the virgin-devouring dragon, but a Carinthian mustachioed farmer playing with his saliva spitting, tail wagging, dragon-wurm.

The "Lindwurm and the Dragon Killer"

Here they stand !
Each threatening the other with dire consequences.

The "Dragon" is called "Lindwurm"
and on closer examination it truly looks
more like a worm than a dragon.
It has lost the fire in its belly and can only
spit a weak spray of lukewarm water at our hero.

...and what a hero he is:
He is either scratching his head thinking:
"Should I whack him over his stupid head???"
...or he is having this unreachable itch
just below his shoulder blades
and his nail studded club comes in handy
to scratch his back.

On the shores of Lake Neusiedl

Lake Neusiedl is located in the Austrian Province of "Burgenland" and forms part of the border between Austria and Hungary.
It is a bout 36 km long and 12 km wide.
Why is there no "deep sea diving" ?
because the lake has an average depth of 1 meter, up to a maximum of 1.8 meters.
It is a so-called "Steppe Lake" which in the past has partially dried up. In the distant past it has dried up completely on several occasions.
There are excellent wind conditions for sailing and wind surfing. Lovely little towns nestle at its shores and "wine boutiques" on almost every corner. Quite excellent red and white wines are grown in the surrounding country side, on the flanks of rolling hills.
If you don't need high scraggy mountains and can be happy in a country with flat expanses and rolling hills, friendly people, good accommodation and very good food and wines, musical performances (Operettas on a wonderful stage in the lake at the town of Moerbisch, Operas in an ancient roman rock quarry in St. Margareten and many other smaller performances in a variety of places), then the Austrian Province of Burgenland is for you. (don't bother with your SCUBA gear.)
So, get up and go there...you'll have a great time, as did we these past two days.
Bert

Lake Neusiedl - Neusiedlersee

Favourite Pasttime: Parachute Surfing.
With a strong wind blowing,
considerable speeds may be reached.

In the Province of Burgenland
much excellent wine is grown.
Vinyards...as far as the eye can see.

Poppies grow in wild perfusion.

The VIEW

You are probably getting tired of
seeing this view from our balcony.
I don't !
This Friday we are going to Vienna
and then to the Burgenland, Lake Neusiedl.
I'll probably come home with some new views
and you won't have to look at what I see for breakfast
every day.

Roses and bushes in bloom
in our garden.

...see ya later.

My Birthday Party

24 people were invited: 24 people showed up.
This marvellous location: The Panorama Restaurant,
offering a view to the Hoch Obir.

The glass wall slides back and you sit on a balcony
under the open skies.
We had great food and the best of wines.
It was a party to remember.

Part of the panoramic view.

... a good time was had by all...

What's the point -3- ....Music at the shore....

Well, let me tell you what the point is: One simply wonderful evening on the shores of the Klopeinersee (Lake Klopeiner). A lovely lake in Lower Carinthia, about 20 minutes by car from our house in Bleiburg. The Rotary Club of this region issued invitations to this "concert by the lake". The evening started with some champagne and much seeing and being seen.
Then, at 8pm, everybody took their seat on benches placed on the shore (see pictures below)
and Ingolf Wunder made a dramatic entry by boat from the opposite shore.
The Grand Piano had been placed on a runway jutting into the lake.
Expecting the worst, I feared that everything would suffer from terrible accoustics....
Two medium sized speakers were placed on either side of the Piano and.... it worked beautifully.
The accoustics were excellent throughout the tonal range of pianissimo to fortissimo.
And Wunder played just as his name suggests. Simply "Wunderfully"...
Ingolf was borne on the 8th day of September 1985 and via a little detour of playing the violin it was discovered that he was a superior talent on the piano.
He gave his first public concert at the age of 14 in the Schubertsaal of the renowned Vienna Konzerthaus. He subsequently won a number of competitions in Italy, Germany, France, Hungary and, of course, in Austria. Concert dates brought him to many countries all over the world, including the U.S.A.
I am not an "art critic" but, as the old saying goes: "I know what I like"
And I certainly liked the piano playing of Ingolf Wunder...
...and that's the point...
Bert