David (S), I'm surprised you didin't brought our famous goat up this year! You have been good at following it last years, if I recall correctly. They erected it former Thursday, and this was the sight we got when waking up today: (Edit: Expired link of burned goat removed) Strange thing that they can't protect it better.
I would have got around to it sooner or later, Christer, but how sad to see that, especially so soon. But at least it's saved me anxiety of logging on each morning for the next few weeks wondering if it's still there or not. I just can't understand it, anyway. How can the town council go to the bother and expense of erecting it every year just for that to happen, time after time. Apart from anything else, it's just a complete waste of money. Odds on, they'll re-erect it as well. And I thought that the United Kingdom had the monopoly on complete arseholes. I'd put them naked in the stocks set up in front of what they'd done, sitting on pine needles and leave them there until Twelfth Night. Bah! - humbug...
Well, call me a cynical, but I wouldn't be too surprised if the council actually aren't too unhappy every time this happens. Of course there are some money lost in the flames, but the town surely gains alot in the publicity it gets! There are not many small towns in Sweden that get this international fame once (when the goat gets down) a year. Pity though for all the people that put a lot of efforts into the building of it. I think you're right about the re-erection. Since it got burned down so early, I would assume the same. One week of a living was quite short, even if the record probably is when it got up in flames just six hours after its completion.
Exactly one year ago since I made this topic. I just bump it, because the link to the web camera works this year too. (It got burnt last year, and that's what we saw in the webcamera I commented in my first post up here.) Apparently two men tried to light it with petrol at four o'clock this morning, but got scared away by some bypassers.
Oups, in the first I didn't notice your post above is one year ago but I remembered to have seen the goat on the webcam earlier. Curious about the goat I found the complete history here (in english): http://www.merjuligavle.se/English/VISIT-GAVLE/THE-CHRISTMAS-GOAT Maybe there are some answers given...
It went as usual. Someone managed to set it on fire tonight. I wonder how they do. the goat was newly sprayed with water to form a really thick layer of ice as a prevention. It can't be that easy to get the fire started, but they have managed before even when it has been fireproofed chemically... (Webcamera)
I've made it a habit to check it each day and am saddened to see it gone. I guess the attempts to burn it are as much a part of the tradition as the goat itself.
Wow! Yet another year has passed on this topic. Doesn't time just fly!? I will continue on this old topic. Newcomers might need to read all above this post, and also make a search at Classic Camping Stoves, which might end up in this five year old thread for one. The goat has been up for a couple of weeks, or so, by now. ...so here goes again. Let's see how he will manage this year. As usual they claim that they have had him fire proofed... Link to webcam
Well I ******g hate Christmas but I just can't understand the mentality of the idiots who would spoil it for those who enjoy the festival - especially the kids. B'stards...
Damn, I actually started to like the beast since last year and we(my sons)followed it from here. Its probably kids who set it on fire David. "I wonder how they do. the goat was newly sprayed with water to form a really thick layer of ice as a prevention. It can't be that easy to get the fire started, but they have managed before even when it has been fireproofed chemically..." with a gasdriven blowtorch made in china Claus C
Depends on how you define 'kids', Claus. I was meaning the younger ones who still see the wonder of Christmas. But the authorities in Gavle apparently tolerate this anti-social behaviour so it carries on year after year. I just don't even bother to log onto the webcam and haven't for the past few years...
Yet another year has passed, so time to bring this old topic forth again. Here is the newly erected Christmas goat of 1914. Let's see if he survive this season.
Geez, Goat burning...is that sacrilegious or sacrificial? We watch all our goats in Canada with great care. Ian
Well... Not stranger to call Canada your homeland when living in Michigan, than signing off your posts with Ian when your alias says Robert...
I was just too polite to mention that as well! Also that you appear to be existing in two different centuries...
Yes, must get around to clearing that up... I'm not far from Detroit if that helps... I will have something for my American friends soon. How to change the handle...How do you know my middle name isn't Bob
Yes, that's what David and I talk about just above... I chose to not correct my mistake in order to keep his comment about me living in two centuries consistent. Sometimes I actually feel more at home in the former century...
