A Sunday in München, or the day Clive threw away his wallet…

Jo and Annette were away early on a bus tour to Neuschwanstein et al.

After a reasonably timed Royal breakfast, Craig and Yvonne appeared to head straight back to the Augustiner Braustuben. Hector and Marg went to a café overlooking the Glockenspiel, for a change. Was it really only three weeks since we had last been there?

It was safe to go for a bier, Bernard ! was there too… what is going on? This is the man who is so strict with himself except when he is not.

As the rest arrived Hector and Marg made a swift exit. We were going to the Tiergarten. The Zoo!

What an amazing spectacle! On entry we saw sheep, goats, Marg became excited and photographed a squirrel.. We can see these in our back yard. This was usually followed by a cat then a dog. Stupendous!

Ah, the bear compound…” Bären im Winterruhe” the sign said… I know what Ruhetag is…ah, hibernation! Exciting! Are there any animals in this zoo? Eventually we found the bird like animals who like to eat fish and swim, but Bernard will not let me identify them by their correct name in case I offend someone.

Six o’clock at Mango was the rendezvous...Howard and Tracey who had been touring obscure bier houses were waiting.

The lamb madras all to myself.

The rest arrived, some looking more tired than emotional. Steve propped himself on the end of the table. He had seen enough of the others?

After the curry there was only one place to go…Dr Stan was not with us to give us the hard stare and disapproving look. Steve and Hector lead the way; Marg went off to phone Scotland, all of it judging by the time she was away.

Only one Southsider made it to the Hofbräuhaus, the rest retired gracefully for an early night. And so a quiet night was had with the remaining crew, joined eventually by Jo and Annette. I remember our last trip with this company; Jo likes to drink other people’s bier, especially mine.

Once upon a time the Hofbräuhaus was a riotous night out. Alas, no more. The band play only traditional music – great, but only a few pieces at a time and there is nothing to get one wound up at all. A very sedate night it is. Bring back Reinhold Frank!

And so we went to Andechs, this was the last time Clive had his wallet.

Do you have Spezial Hell?