Good news is no news

A British journalist visited Embach this week. This journalist is widely travelled and his work has taken him to every Continent. He specialises in writing about property and the potential for property development – often with a readership of wealthy investors in mind. The journalist stayed in an Embach home pre-built in a factory and took an interest in a “model village” showing off a range of these kit houses.

While in Embach, he was full of praise:

• ·      for the wonderful scenery around the village
• ·      for its traditional charm and working practices in harmony with nature
• ·      for the clean, fresh air
• ·      for the delicious drinking water
• ·      for the gentle dawn chorus of cock-crow, birdsong, falling water and church bells
• ·      for the sight of clouds drifting slowly past the window on a showery day
• ·      for the high quality and well-kept homes all over the village

So, when he returns home, what is he going to write about development prospects in Embach?

“Nothing. There’s no story.”

And why is this good news for Embach? Because if the village has no story to tell to Chinese investors, Russian oligarchs, British bankers or package holiday companies and hotel multiples looking for new destinations, then there is unlikely to be any significant change in the foreseeable future.

Embach’s greatest asset and attraction is not its investment potential, but what it is today; a working, farming village, with solid roots and traditional ways. Let’s enjoy it for itself and be thankful there is no story. 

Peacefully noisy life outdoors

Evening, and through the window waft sounds of the Embach band practising with plenty of drum rolls to keep the marchers in step. It always makes me smile.

The sound brings to mind a comment from the local children who visited London recently (see Turning Tables blog): Embach is a lot quieter than the city. But sit outside for an hour or two, enjoy the view and make a note of the myriad sounds that can be heard:

·      The snarl and whine of a chain saw

·      Ever present, the rush of the stream past the water wheel and down the hill

·      The putt-putt of Rudi’s old single-cylinder tractor as he makes his way back up the hill from the shop

·      The oncethmus – the loud braying of a donkey

·      The dull thud of a football being kicked and jeers of the lads on the pitch

·      A motorbike accelerates away with a rising wail

·      That bird with the sound of a wheelbarrow with a squeaky wheel

·      The church clock strikes three and then another 100-odd bongs to tell us all the weekend has arrived

·      Dob dob: mallet securing fence post after the winter

·      Cattle bellowing – maybe anxious to get out of the stalls into the lush grass growing all around

·      Hummmm, a neighbour’s electric lawn mower

·      Children’s high laughter as they exercise their bikes for the first time after the long winter

·      Clop, clop; a horse trots by

Spring is here. But quiet it isn’t – just peacefully noisy enough to let you know Embachers are enjoying life outdoors.

Spring also brings the Mayday celebrations and the erection of the maypoles – often over 30m high and put up by manpower alone. In our sister village, Lend, this ceremony was combined with the voluntary fire service parade, which also means the village band playing and marching, and speeches.

Austrians are really good at speeches – if measured by length. They begin by greeting the honoured guests. These may include the local priest and his assistant, head teachers of the schools, mayors from neighbouring villages, fire brigade commandants from neighbouring villages, other political dignitaries and, of course the mayor himself. Each gets a mention and each a short patter of applause. 

Following this there is the honouring of long service members and people who have helped in official and unofficial roles, the handing over of medals, flowers, hampers etc, and, of course, photographs are taken. The patience of the onlookers has developed through long experience.

That having been said, our voluntary fire service is remarkable for its bravery, expertise and efficiency and deserving of our time and gratitude as, in time-honoured tradition, they reward their members’ and supporters’ dedication.

 

Volunteer Firemen at their annual parade in Lend and below, the Lend band on the march