Wednesday 29 July 2020

Built On Sand

Actually, made of sand: This year's sand sculptures in the palace grounds of my home town have "Animals" as their theme. (Last year, it was Fairytales; you can look at them here, if you like.)

As always, we have come across them quite by chance, not having thought about the "Sand Worlds Festival" being on. With our season's tickets, we can just pop in and have a walk in the palace grounds any day, even if just for half an hour, or using the park as a shortcut when wanting to reach the parts of town that are East of the palace, such as the hospital and cemetery.
I'm not overly fond of this one, too much of a caricature for me.
Beautifully made, look at the ears!
The whales and dolphins left me a little sad - their set-up reminded me too much of the poor beached animals that we sometimes hear and see about in the news:
 


 

A gathering of pets.
The mouse was my favourite.

These two - Äffle & Pferdle (monkey and horse) - are famous cartoon figures in this part of Germany. They have been appearing on TV since 1960 in short clips at the start and end of the adverts block and soon became a firm favourite for viewers of all age. They talk in our Swabian dialect, and their little clips often depict one of them making a funny or silly statement which the other one comments on - and sometimes their statements aren't quite so stupid at second glance. Sometimes they sing - and one of their songs has become a big hit (Hafer und Bananen-Blues - "oats and banana blues").
 



We enjoyed our Sunday afternoon walk (this was on the 19th of this month, when O.K. was here for the weekend); there were people about, but it was not exactly packed, as it would have normally been on such a day, with busloads of tourists crowding the park.

Today is an important day for me: For the first time since March 17, I will be working at the office of my bread-and-butter client. I know they have all the measures in place you would expect, and I do not feel uneasy, just strange - after so much time working from home, I am going to see the people there face to face again instead of on video calls. I wonder how much dust my desk has collected!

22 comments:

  1. Some of those would make fantasic jelly moulds.

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    1. Those moulds would then make giant jelly!

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  2. Don't think I've ever seen sand art except at a beach. Some amazing creations.

    Good luck being back at work face to face, rather than by video conferencing. Can understand why you feel a bit strange about it all. Hope all goes well.

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    1. All went well, thank you. I didn't go to the canteen but bought a sandwich at the nearby bakery.

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  3. Those sand sculptures are really fantastic! What talented artists! Good luck at work! Be safe!

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    1. Thank you, Ellen. Public transport is the biggest challenge, as the trains are almost as full as "before".

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  4. Amazing works of art, all of them, but I too feel that the fish and other sea creatures seem a bit out of their proper element on dry land... I think I like the lion the best, and the other African animals. I also like the happy frog - it looks like it's balancing something on its nose? what is that? - Hope your Office Day went well!

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    1. All went well at the office, Monica, thank you.
      The frig (it is probably meant to be a toad) has a smiling caterpillar sitting on its head. Something of an odd arrangement, but that's artistic license for you!

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  5. They are so amazing! I like the elephants and African animals best, I think, but I admire many others. so lucky to get to see these! And I am glad to hear your face to face with a real client went well!

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    1. The elephants are done beautifully, aren't they.
      It was good to see a few people face to face. Most of the office rooms are empty, but they plan to have the majority return to the work place after the summer holidays.

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  6. Oh my goodness, these are absolutely wonderful! What talent! I love them all but like you I thought the little mouse was very cute. I also looked back at the fairy tale sculptures and enjoyed those as well. It is quite special that you have this each year to look forward to. Thank you for sharing!

    I hope your day at the office went well. I bet it was nice to see your friends and co-workers face to face for a change!

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    1. You are welcome, Bonnie, I'm glad you like them. I would never pay admission to see them, but when they are there and I happen to be at the park anyway, of course I have a look round. Some years I like them more than others.
      All went well at the office. There weren't any friends for me to see, but it was nice to see some of the people I have been working with for a long time and have only heard on the phone or seen on video calls since March.

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  7. These are all incredible! I remember you posting sand sculptures in the past here on your blog. How amazing! It's too hard to pick a favorite, but I really like the lion.

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    1. The lion has the majestic look one associates with those animals, doesn't he.

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  8. Once again - the sand sculptures are awesome. I like the sound of Äffle & Pferdle. True German heroes. I see what you mean about the marine mammals - beached.

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    1. Äffle & Pferdle are Swabian heroes! Germans outside our area or otherwise not familiar with our dialect will have a hard time to understand them, and probably not 'get' their humour.

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  9. I'm not quite sure how I missed this post but I'm glad that I popped back a post (to see if I'd recently commented on long German words) and found the sand sculptures. They are always magnificent and I never cease to be amazed at people's talents.

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    1. Commenting on long German words? Here is one for you, Graham: Immatrikulationsbescheinigung :-)
      I admire anyone who can create something like that, no matter whether I like the finished work or not.

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    2. Enrolment certificate - literally. How about Donaudampfschifffahrtselektrizitätenhauptbetriebswerkbauunterbeamtengesellschaft?

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    3. I saw that word in your comment on YP's blog, Graham. To be honest, I am not sure that it really exists or is a term really used in the German language; I have never come across it. But there really are some VERY long words, especially in legal documents, which I see plenty of in my line of work.

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  10. Those sand sculptures are very cleverly land realistically produced. My favourites would be the smiley frog and the "pile" of animals with the turtle. I have also seen some amazing works at the seaside only to be lost when the tide comes in.

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    1. Yes, Linda, the ones here at the park last a bit longer than ones built at the seaside. To withstand (light) rain and wind, they are sprayed with a mix of glue (like what is used for wallpaper) and water. It gives them a thin, invisible coat.

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