Old Crank
Old Crank's JournalSchloss Neuschwanstein
We got the earlier time frame for the castle tour. I skipped it and walked around instead.
This is the first good view on the path to the castle from the shuttle bus stop.
This view is from the foot bridge over the creek.
The waterfall under the bridge
The trail away from the bridge
The bridge. Quiet now. Gets packed later in the day and year.
From the higher lookout. About a 75 mm equivalent focal length
Two closer looks.
The family ballots are in the mail.
Now we wait until June 2, for the CA vote day.
One more adulting action put to bed.
Declare victory and walk away.
Seems that Trump is going to surrender. Why the sudden interest in Cuba again.
From the Atlantic.
The outlines of President Trump’s endgame in the Iran war are now emerging. In a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday, Trump reportedly explained that the United States was negotiating a “letter of intent” with Iran that would “formally end the war and launch a 30-day period of negotiations” on Iran’s nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The purpose and effect of such an agreement should be clear: The United States is walking away from the crisis. Trump may launch another limited strike to look tough and satisfy the demands of the war’s supporters, but it would be a performative gesture. Endgame in this case is a euphemism for “surrender.”
Trump has blinked many times in the confrontation with Iran—ever since March 18, when Israel attacked the Pars gas field and Iran retaliated with a strike against Qatar’s most important natural-gas-production facility. Trump then called for a halt on U.S. and Israeli targeting of Iran’s energy infrastructure, and the war effectively ended.
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/2026/05/trump-surrender-iran-endgame/687252/?gift=hVZeG3M9DnxL4CekrWGK3z7P5ziNahM4p4Y6XS3ozvg&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share&fbclid=IwY2xjawR9SYhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEefwkLuNCyoGYVLMRka3JgSgQGycesKhTP0EHDpGFse9t04Rqh4LylPDdlPyI_aem_NzYE7UmX-Hg1Ut0X0VHDkA
See your dentist regularly
Finally went to the dentist after about 8 years. Not my favorite thing to do so I keep putting it off.
I know I have 2 damaged fillings plus a dire cleaning need.
He found a loose crown and under it was an infection.
Bummer. Out with most of the remaining tooth but ended up at an oral surgeon to get a root piece he couldn't get to.
No I have a raft of dental appointments. I will be getting an implant for the now missing tooth. Nothing but fun.
Get your regular check ups.
Alpsee, Bavaria
Near some castle that Disney used for inspiration
[
King Ludwig II lived in that center castle as a child
Re-awakening
New growth from a little walk I took while the rest of the party was getting the castle tour. Schloss Neuschwanstein there will be a picture or two later,
My funny mind.
We bought a flat in Munich and have been in it since September. We have a parking spot but the garage is being renovated until the end of this year. No big issue as we don't have a car except for the noise.
Our complex is currently repainting and sealing the outside walls of our building. That is a good thing. There is a schedule. Germany after all, there is always a schedule... The painters are doing our wing a week or so before the listed schedule. The walls have been done but they haven't as yet finished the panels separating our balcony from the neighbours yet.
So they are a WEEK AHEAD of schedule for my section and I'm chomping on the bit to have them finish up. I keep looking out the windows and wonder why they haven't gotten to my place yet. How sad is that?
My blooming neighbourhood
A couple of quick pics while walking to the grocery store before the hail came.
Trump's popularity is in the dumper in Europe
Are we surprised?
YouGov European tracker series looks at Donald Trump's popularity in Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Spain
Where I live.
Germany
April’s tracker poll found that 8% of Germans had a favourable opinion of Donald Trump and 87% had an unfavourable opinion.
These scores are within the margin of error of those for March’s survey, and therefore represent little change.
https://yougov.com/en-gb/articles/54666-how-popular-is-donald-trump-in-europe-april-2026
Bits and bobs from Paris
We were both feeling under the weather when we hit Paris. So we didn't get to ramble around like we normally do.
Will the HOA let me put this between our bedroom windows?
They objected to this.
Centre Pompidou
Profile Information
Name: RalphGender: Male
Current location: München, DE
Member since: Tue Nov 14, 2017, 07:17 AM
Number of posts: 7,304