THE PROPOSAL
My favourite consignment
It was Monday the 10th February 2003 late morning the phone rang, I answered. It was Klaus from Scheffau Tourist Office. “Servus Franz” he said to me,” I’ve got a special consignment for you, have you got time this evening to bring your horse drawn sleigh to Scheffau? He asked. “You´re in luck, I´m free today” I replied. “Good, then can you be at the Gasthof Weberbauer at 7pm? and drop in at my office just before, I´ve something I need to give you. “Said Klaus.
In between two of my booked rides I gave the brasses a quick polish. At 6 pm I picked up two of my nicest blankets and the new seat rails. With Corrado as the lead horse to the left partnered by Lorenz saddled to his right, both with shiny white manes and roughly the same size the two Haflinger fitted perfectly together. During the winter the 5-year-old Lorenz had really got used to pulling the sleigh with 9 year old Corrado.
At 6 o`clock I set off with them both. Following the Weißache brook and through the snowy winter woods a beautiful winter wonderland opened before us. The Sleigh was completely on skids and the fresh snow crunched beneath us. Just the horses and I all alone. For miles around the only sound was the jingling of the horse bells and above me the starlit sky and the half moon shined down on us.
We carried on past the Schnapps Brewery and continued onto the old road still crunching through the fresh snow. Kaiser Max peeked out of his window as we passed his house. In no time at all I was passing the Wilder Kaiser Gasthof, only a short distance up the road and Id be in Scheffau village. I slowed the trotting Haflinger to a walking pace so they would sweat less on arrival and be less steamy.
As I approached the Scheffau tourist office Klaus came dashing out with a red rose in his hand. “Here you are Franz, tuck this away on your sleigh, the man will ask for it later. You´ve made good time”. He commented. A few minutes later I stopped in front of the Gasthof Weberbauer. I was just thinking of something appropriate to say when the couple emerged from the Gasthof. He was a tall guy wearing a dark long coat, the lady in question was wearing an anorak, shapely with rosy cheeks. We chatted briefly about the consignment and then they boarded the sleigh. They wrapped themselves cosily in the two blankets and Corrado and Lorenz started the journey in the direction of the villagenursery slope.
I could sense it; it was in the air and I didn´t have long to think about it. Already as we passed the back of the church, I could see the lit torches lining the way left and right more torches on the slope, it couldn´t of been more romantic.The torches on the slope were in the shape of two intertwined rings.I stopped next to the torches and the couple dismounted from the sleigh. At that moment Michael asked me for the red rose then hugging his girlfriend Connie to him he led her over to the two rings. I was really touched. Honestly at my own proposal I wasn´t so romantic! I will let you use your own imagination regarding the next few minutes, its not always necessary to describe the details. Needless to say, as the couple returned to the sleigh, I was allowed to be the first person to congratulate them. To him I said, stay healthy and keep your strength for the next 10 children! I then produced a bottle of schnapps for a small toast.
We then carried on our ride in the direction of Blaiken. As we reached the Lindenhof Lorenz suddenly came to a standstill and refused to go further, it didn´t take me long to realize the reason was because the two horses belonging to Bettina and Toni were still out.After a little encouragement I persuaded the two horses to recommence their journey. We returned to the village allof us in a wonderful mood. Ireturned the couple to their GasthausRecherhofwhich boasted at least a meter of snow on its roof. We wished each other warm goodbyes and luck for the future.
I travelled back into the village and who should I meet but Hannes the bossfrom the Hotel Alpin.He assumed if I was in Scheffau with my horse drawn sleigh I really must have a quick drink with him. I pulled over the horses and covered them both with the blankets. I didn´t just receive a lager shandy as I requested it was accompanied by a pizza. As I tucked in heartily, the boss of the reception Tanja fed bread to my horses. As I returned to them Lorenz neighed at me as if to say “Now its time to go home!”In the best possible mood I guided my two beautiful blonds home to Ellmau. They were keen to put a spurt on and I was thinking to myself how lucky I was to have the luxury of galloping through the beautiful evening winter wonderland alone with my horses. From the Muhlberg Bridge I continued once more along the Weißache brook and then a walking pace to dry the horses off before reaching home.
As we reached home, we wasted no time getting to bed.
I wish an equally romantic proposal to all those who get to read my story!
Heartfelt Greetings
Franz Köck
Fiaker (Horse drawn carriage driver)
* the names of the happy couple have been changed