Emotion Before Perfection

The Slow Blog

Weekly English and German
Wöchentlich deutsch und englisch

February 2019

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132 BOOKS 201902 22.02.2019 09:07

The book – Tractor Pulling 25 Jahre Team Kaiser RÜCKBLICK - in German language (with its photographic material, it is also interesting for non-German speaking fans): written by Stephanie and Rainer Hartmann for the pulling-fans, with a preface from the legendary track-speaker Ulf "The Voice of Race" Schnackenberg. The authors are co-founder of SRSmotorsport and as part of SRSmotorsport they supported and accompanied the Team Kaiser in the last three years.

They published already their first book, a summary over the season 2017. As in the first book, the story ist mostly told by pictures and not by boring lyric. It is mainly about the stories between full pull, victory, disappointment and technical problems. It is a look behind the curtain where a regular spectator cannot get.

The Hartmanns have not been with the Team Kaiser in all the 25 years. Therefore they have been allowed to have a deep look into the Kaiser´s private picture collection. So, the most pictures from 1993 until 2015 are from the Kaisers themselves. Since 2016 Stephanie and Rainer got part of this sport and collected a lot of pictures, which they share to all interested people.

The book is a mix of information and entertainment; and sometimes something to chuckle about. A well-made balancing act between sports and family. A plus for the pulling community and a recommendation, not merely for the fans from Pulling-Team Kaiser.

For those who want to read more: you are invited to have a look at blogposts 38 TRACTOR PULLING and 83 FULL PULL – ON MISSION WITH TEAM KAISER and please see the recommendation, too. Enjoy yourself!

See you next Friday. - God bless you, all the best! The Castiron

Many thanks to all who made this blogpost possible!

Recommendation: https://www.pullingteamkaiser.de/

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131 THE CASTIRON’S FAVOURITES 201902 15.02.2019 10:27

When I’m 64. The Castiron likes to share some focal points of this song’s content with you. According to Wikipedia, the Beatles recorded it in 1966 at the Abbey Road Studios; it was the year when the father of Paul McCartney grew 64 years old. When I’m 64 has been one of The Castiron’s favourite songs for quite a few decades.

When I get older losing my hair, will you still sending me birthday greetings?

Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64?

You’ll be older, too and if you say the word, I could stay with you.

Send me a postcard, drop me a line, stating point of view, indicate precisely what you mean to say.

Give me your answer „Mine for evermore“. Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64?

Happy birthday to all who celebrated or will celebrate the 64th birthday this year! And: already in 2006, Paul McCartney reached the age of 64, he, the former Beatles’ band member.

See you next Friday. - God bless you, all the best! The Castiron

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130 NORDSCHLEIFE 201902 08.02.2019 10:20

Some months ago, once again a trackday on the Nordschleife, beautiful weather but not too hot, best conditions on one hand and on the other hand the fact, Nordschleife is and will remain Nordschleife – The Castiron and Eleanor V, the Ford Mustang, were ready to take the challenge; one experience seems especially noteworthy.

The left hand bend „Metzgesfeld“, close to 100 miles per hour. Shortly before, The Castiron has been overtaken by some faster cars. Arrived at this bend’s apex, the situation was as follows: two of these cars on the right-hand side in the meadow, one vehicle and Eleanor V still on the right track. No difficulties, so far.

Then the car in front of Eleanor V caused a rather unforeseeable challenge for The Castiron: the driver slowed significantly down, probably to stare at the cars beside the track. On the other hand, The Castiron had decelerated his Ford Mustang – as usual in such a situation – just as little as necessary; immediately, it became quite unpleasant!

The sudden differential speed of the vehicles demanded a reaction! Braking? No chance! Passing the other vehicle on the outside of the bend? Space enough, but too long of a distance, not possible! Passing the other vehicle on the inside of the bend? Too little space, but a short distance through the meadow on the left, possible, done – and thus, avoiding of a quite serious accident! Conclusion: do not count on the other driver and be prepared for everything, as far as possible.

You must know what you are doing, when you are traversing a meadow by car. Do it as straight as possible and with as little steering movement as possible; and very, very important: smooth, smooth, smooth! In addition to all this, thank the Lord, the meadow was dry.

Last, but not least: keep in mind, do not underestimate the manifold challenges of such a day and remember, it is a trackday, not a race, with quite various participants – also including those who are staring at incidents while needlessly slowing down, instead of driving on normally. Regrettably, it is a common practice, especially in daily traffic, too; do not stare, focus on the point!

See you next Friday. - God bless you, all the best! The Castiron

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129 PHOTO STORY – THE MONCH 01.02.2019 09:40

Main picture. The Monch, as we know it from the north side, already slightly white powdered, but yet very well accessible. Here, the view from the station Eigergletscher. Our ascent route leads from the Jungfraujoch along the mountain ridge (right side of the picture) to the peak, via the west ridge.

Picture gallery photo 1. The west ridge revealed in all its splendour, as you enter from the Spinx-Stollen into the glistening morning light. What a beautiful tour, very diversified, an alpine tour with a quite challenging level of difficulty, with third level climbing sections.

Picture gallery photo 2. The route goes partially across the north side (approximately 2200 yards of difference in altitude down to Wengernalp), or on the south side on a dry and slightly warm rock. Very often we find ourselves right on the ridge, which is all the times broader than my shoe soles.

Picture gallery photo 3. The mountain guide demonstrates it works; often almost vertical sections, rocks in beautiful colours, well stepped with pleasant grip. The altitude marks its presence, we are close to 4400 yards. As we started the tour without acclimatization, now I need various pauses for breath.

Picture gallery photo 4. Then we change definitely to the north side; upwards along the steep firn flank, anchoring some ice screws as safety device. Under the climbing irons, we feel the blank ice below the thin snow crust, step by step.

Picture gallery photo 5. On the top of the mountain! In each direction the terrain descents steeply. Wonderful mountain scenery – all are present, neatly lined up. No big bang theory – made by the Creator. In the foreground the sharp ridge for the way down, on the northern side blank ice, southerly little corn snow. Going along both sides of the ridge, just on the front points of our climbing irons, we are secured by a short rope.

Picture gallery photo 6. Descent along the east and southeast ridge, the view towards the Jungfraujoch, on the left before the Sphinx-Stollen the trace of our friends from Far East, behind the Jungfrau and the Rotalhorn. On the right side of the Jungfrau further high mountains: Balmhorn, Altels, Doldenhorn, Blüemlisalp, and ...

Picture gallery photo 7. Back on the Jungfrau’s corn snow, south of the Monch. Our ascent’s ridge with its typical bevelled tower (to the left in the figure) – to the right of it the entry. Despite the beauty of the glaciers and the firn, you can recognize the significant decline of the ice.

Picture gallery photo 8. Downwards to Grindelwald by train. In the evening sun, the Schreckhorn shows itself from its most beautiful side; another reason for continuing to mountaineer. This might be a further project.

Many thanks from The Castiron to Ueli!

See you next Friday. - God bless you, all the best! The Castiron

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PS We were taken along to an alpine tour: traversing the Monch – one of the most well-known mountains of Switzerland (from the gigantic trio Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau).