Magische Mühle

Tonight’s show was in the Magical Mill in Einbeck. The mill was built originally in 1752 and renovation began in 2000.

So far, they have created a lovely social room for meetings and opened up the main area for a stage and seating.

The acoustics in this space were perfect for Ray’s music.

While Einbeck may be very well known for its beer (the Einbecker brewery was founded in 1378 and is one of the oldest in the world that is still operating), we hope that this magical mill will become well known as a place where musicians can stop for an evening’s entertainment.

Travelogue

Today’s journey was long, all the way from Flensburg in the far north of Germany near the Danish border and over four hours driving down to Einbeck which is still not quite half way down the country.

We stopped at a rest area for lunch (can recommend the goulash which is available at many Autohofs and is very nourishing). I noticed someone waiting to hitch a lift which is unusual these days. He was a Gesellen or Journeyman. There is still a tradition here for carpenters and worker in other traditional crafts to travel for three years and a day after finishing their apprenticeship, working odd jobs in exchange for room and board. The custom, called Walz (or Wanderjahre/Wanderschaft) nearly died out but saw a revival starting in the 1980’s and now there are some 500 journeymen on the roads. The rules are strict: they must be single, childless, debt-free, carry only a knapsack, and no cellphones. Traditionally they can’t return within 50km of home during the journey.  Journeymen wear distinctive black corduroy suits, wide-brimmed hats, and carry a gnarled wooden staff, still recognizable from centuries ago. I was too far away to get a photograph and he was picked up by the first car that I saw go past.