Category: Living in Germany

Carry on Camping

Camper or Campervan?

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.

One thing it is NOT, is a “caravan”!

Continue reading “Carry on Camping” →

Mushroom Picker Stick

Ollie the Grey

Jamie Oliver has been an inspiration for my son and I for many years. Recently Jamie challenged his Instagram followers to make him laugh in these difficult Corona days.

This was the photo he posted of himself holding a hand-carved walking mushroom picking stick. How good would it be to have a mushroom picker’s stick signed by Jamie and Gennaro Contaldo?

Is it Ollie the Grey from Lord of the Rings?

I couldn’t resist! Time to get the creative juices flowing. The pose reminded me of Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings, hence the name Ollie the Grey.

Continue reading “Mushroom Picker Stick” →

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Here I am sitting in my garden under a tree. We may only have a small garden but in it there are 3 trees. When we first moved in there were 3 little ponds. Next you’ll be asking if we have 3 little pigs.

Unfortunately I haven’t inherited my family’s green fingers. No pristine English lawn with its fresh green grass. My father must be ‘turning in his grave’ at the sight of our patch of moss. Oh well! You can’t be good at everything.

We live in a village on the main street and there is a constant flow of traffic during the day, so I can’t say it’s quiet. We are lucky, however, to have visitors of a furry or feathered kind, especially early in the morning or in the evening.

Continue reading “All Things Bright and Beautiful” →

Stereotypes

National Stereotypes

It is all too easy to categorise people according to their nationality. Putting people in pigeon holes (Leute in eine Schublade stecken) and assuming that all are the same can lead to misunderstanding, intolerance and narrow-mindedness (Engstirnigkeit).

One thing I have learnt is that we all have prejudices, conscious or unconscious – it is human nature. I can understand my friends here who still think that English food is terrible, having had a bad experience on their school exchange 40 years ago.

Continue reading “Stereotypes” →

Panting or Crocheting

I recently had a bit of an embarrassing moment – a typical “Pat faux pas”. I was listening to two fathers reminiscing about attending “pre-natal” classes and how their respective partners were encouraged to breathe or “pant”.  All part of the preparatory exercises for childbirth. I was quite, however, surprised to hear them talking about crocheting.

Continue reading “Panting or Crocheting” →

Bricks

Ruhrpott history

In my attempt to become a “better”, more knowledgeable “Ruhrpott Kind”, I recently went on a jolly to our local mining museum. It is literally just down the road from me. I have been before but never paid any real attention to the site other than when we visit the “Oldtimer Festival” to look at the classic cars (not necessarily an event for old men- which is what most English people would understand from the expression “oldtimer”).

Continue reading “Bricks” →

A Sweet Tooth

People often talk about having a “sweet tooth“, but what do you have if you prefer savoury food?

I don’t think it would be wrong to say that, as a nation, the English have got a “sweet tooth”. Brits are famous for their sweet cakes; such as, scones, Victoria sponge cake and apple pie – but the days of eating them everyday, for most people, have gone. Thank goodness!

Continue reading “A Sweet Tooth” →