SchwingEriffic

SchwingFest started today (actually, I think it started yesterday, but whatever) so Reto and I wandered down to have a look around. There were heeeeeeaps of people and it was really hot. We saw a bunch of (prize) cows (including Dobi, the super-prize cow, who sadly wasn't as stunningly ginormous as I had thought), plus a bunch of other (inanimate) SchwingPrizes. It seems that businesses donate prizes, so there were pieces of furniture, coffee machines, tool kits, bikes, skis, barbequeues, a bunch of cow bells (as pictured),and my favourite, a fairly large bonsai bush. Actually, I'm not sure if the bonsai was a prize or if it was only there for decorative purposes, but it was definitely the pick of the bunch.

We also went and watched a bit of Steinstossen, which involves being a big boofy man and throwing big rocks. It's quite simple, really. All you have to do is pick up a big rock, wave it about above your head (for maximum danger in the event of gravity taking over), run at a big sandpit

let go of the rock while simultaneously pulling a funny (tormented) face,

and then, when all the throwing is over and done with, you have to carry the rock back for the next bloke to hoick.

It seems sensible that this sport does not have the equivalent of tennis's ball boys.