MY BAVARIAN LATE SUMMER 2011 - MEMORIES

The author in the shade beside a stream, which will feature in more comments on this post...

A tholos on top of a hill one sunny day. Pretty rococo, isn't it?

Sunning themselves by the stream. In landlocked Bavaria, it's not unusual to see this in summer.

Though the bravest ones go for the rapids upstream (though it's illegal!)

A panoramic shot of the Hofbräuhaus...

A closer look at the Hofbräuhaus: the regulars' table. I was not by that table when I got drunk and caused that lamentable, pitiable outcry!

The fresco on the Hofbräuhaus ceiling features the regional coat of arms and regional flag, aside from a few church towers and a cluster of maypoles.

Lastly, here's a veteran you've got to know! The writing on the pedestal, in German, reads:

 "Jean 't Serclaes,

 Count of Tilly,

 Bavarian military commander"

. Though he merely was a Bavarian by adoption (followers of this blog are aware of the fact that he was a born and bred Walloon!), serving as "Hand of the Elector" of sorts (did you spot the Game of Thrones reference?) to Maximilian I.

The portrait shows him in the prime of life, when his cropped locks and remarkable goatee were still nutbrown (OK, you have to imagine that!). He is wearing his battle suit as a high-ranked officer of the Tercios, with a Spanish-style frilled collar and a shining breastplate.

Though he has been more than beautified (the real Tilly was much more slender, giving him the appearance of a frilled lizard!).