Pigs are scarier than scorpions, and donkeys aren't scary at all

Internet access has been a little sketchy since we came back from Innsbruck, so I haven't been as loyal to blogging as I'd like. I'll post a test picture, and then try for a more extensive post with Innsbruck pictures later.

The weekend news from the castle included a scorpion found by one of the crofters. I do not consider scorpions delightful creatures, but apparently the kind found around here are mostly harmless. According to our hosts (and a few websites), the European black scorpion has a sting similar to a bee or wasp, which makes me feel better about the possibility of finding one in my bathroom. Stings are rare, as well, and it's probably less likely that one would get stung than, say, get knocked over by a pig, which is what happened to me yesterday. The damage was more moral than physical.

The top of our list of best-loved creatures here are certainly the donkeys. We took a brush down yesterday to the orchard where they spend their days, and brushed both Lila and Gina, which they seemed to enjoy. Gina, especially, seems to like (or tolerate) the toddler, and it's fun for him to have such a large and quiet animal to appreciate his attentions.