It’s been ages since I wrote anything here. I’ve had lots of ‘moments’ which I should have recorded but I didn’t, and now I can’t remember them!
I’ve decided to use this blog like a diary – whenever anything happens or I am inspired by some weird and wonderful fact, I’m going todrop you a line.
After the terrible time of Corona (known as Covid in England), which actually seems so long ago now, I decided to reduce my English For Fun business to a bare minimum. I still meet with my “walk and talk” friends regularly to chat in English. Conversation is never boring and often ‘throws up’ some question about vocabulary or a difference between Germany and English culture.
I recently made a “StoryDoor” for a friend who loves holidaying in a campervan.
What do people mean when they talk about a “campervan“, “camper” or “mobile home“? Generally it depends on the size and amount of luxury it has.
Does it have a fixed roof, a rising-roof or a “pop-up” roof? Has it got a toilet or shower? What kind of bed(s) does it have? Has it got a built-in kitchen?
The word “recreational vehicle (RV) is used more in America.
I know it’s not quite the season to talk about Christmas but, after visiting Dublin in March, I felt an explanation was due as to what a “pantomime” is.
According to Wikipedia it is
..a British institution. Pantomimes take place around the Christmas period and are nearly always based on well known children’s stories such as Peter Pan, Aladdin, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty etc. Pantomimes are performed not only in the best theatres in the land but also in village halls throughout Britain.
Pat (me) standing in front of St Patrick’s Cathedral
The Graham Norton Show
In November 2022 I was sat on the sofa watching “The Graham Norton Show” on English TV. Apart from being an entertaining chat show with interesting guests and never a dull moment (especially with the red chair when people get tipped backwards), this programme is usually worth watching just to catch up with the latest films, series or books etc. This particular evening it inspired my husband and I to book a trip to Dublin.
“Molly Malone” (also known as “Cockles and Mussels” or “In Dublin’s Fair City”) is a popular song set in Dublin, Ireland, which has become its unofficial anthem.
Who was Molly?
It is unclear whether this song is based on a real woman. Molly was a popular name in Ireland in the past, derived from the names Margaret or Mary. The song is about a hawker who sells fish from her barrow whilst walking through the streets of Dublin.
In Spring of 2022 Nuts went on holiday to England. The headteacher of a primary school in Plymouth, Devon had read about Nuts and invited her to meet her pupils to tell them all about the StoryDoors.
A (not so) Common Red Squirrel
It is very unusual to see a red squirrel in Great Britain and they are considered to be endangered. The bigger grey squirrel was introduced into the UK from North America in the 1800s and since then the smaller native squirrel has diminished in number. There are still a few places where they still live (e.g. Scotland) and these areas are part of a red squirrel conservation project .
You can imagine how thrilled the school children were to hear of the visit of our little red squirrel, Nuts.
For Nuts her trip to England was also very exciting because she had never been abroad, never mind on her own!. A big adventure! There were lots of things to organise before she could travel. Together we made a list of all the things Nuts should take with her.
Nuts’ rucksack
Passport
Wordbook
Map of Devon and Cornwall
Map of Europe
Family portrait
Favourite books
“Ich packe meinen Koffer und nehme mit……“
Passport:
Before Brexit it was so easy to go to England because you only needed your German ID (Personalausweis). When you travel from Europe into the United Kingdom now you must have a valid passport (Reisepass). Fortunately we were able to get one for Nuts relatively quickly.
Wordbook:
Nuts can speak English well but she decided it would be good to have a vocabulary book with her just in case she need to check some words. She also thought that it would be fun to teach the kids some German.
Maps:
A map of Devon and Cornwall was essential. Nuts planned to explore whilst staying in Plymouth which is full of nautical history. Dartmoor national park with its wild ponies is not so faraway. The counties of Devon and Cornwall are famous for their wonderful beaches – perfect for building sandcastles.
To show the English children where Nuts lives, she included a map of Europe. Maybe one day the boys and girls would like to visit Witten!
Nuts’ Favourite Things:
Nuts packed a photo of her twins Fluffy and Flustered to look at when she felt a little homesick, and, if she got bored, she could always read her favourite books.
With love from Witten
Doors for Nuts’ new homes and her cache of acorns.
Finally everything was packed into Nuts’ “StoryDoor” suitcase and off she flew to Plymouth.
Nuts is back again, having had a wonderful time. The teacher said;
The children absolutely loved (Nuts’) story.
Their reaction was so cute… they loved the idea that (Nuts) lives in a different county…
Drake Primary Academy
Nuts and I are planning a visit to England this year – maybe we’ll get a chance to drop in on her new friends.
Recently one of my friends passed away. The last time we spoke was on the phone and it was clear that we would not see each other again. Naturally, this was not an easy conversation but her words still resonate: “Pat, sei nicht traurig, alles ist inOrdnung.” (Don’t be sad, everything’s fine).
