grumpy
/ˈɡrʌmpi/ : mürrisch
It’s advent time and you can hear Christmas music everywhere. The traditional Christmas carol (Wiehnachtslied) “Deck the Halls” is all about preparing for Christmas or yuletide guests:
(tʃɔ): (Haus)arbeiten
Some of my customers asked me how to improve their vocabulary so I have decided to post a new word each week with an example of how it can be used. Here is this week’s english word. Have fun trying to think of your own sentences!
(skrʌmp.ʃəs): lecker
Recently I went for a walk in the woods and noticed the abundance of nuts on the ground as they crunched under my feet. A great food supply for woodland animals such as deer, birds and squirrels.
Continue reading “Going Nuts”Today my husband I witnessed one of the most bizarre traditions of the British Parliament, the Queen’s Speech. Admittedly it was only on TV.
Amidst all the chaos of Brixit, the Queen announced on behalf of the new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, the plans of the new government in what is called the State Opening of Parliament.
Continue reading “The Queen’s Speech”
As I may have mentioned before, I have a fascination for doors, especially old English front doors. I am not sure when or where this started. It’s probably because English doors are very individual and different to those here in Germany. They have become one of the things I miss.
Continue reading “When does a door open inwards?”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”There are several meanings for the word “ramble”:
I suppose I could be accused of rambling when I write my blog:)
* The Ramblers – Britain’s walking charity which aims to protect and expand the places people love to walk and promote walking for health and pleasure. It has around 120,00 members.
www.ramblers.org.uk
For some time I have been planning to go on a „Kräutertour“ (herb tour) with author and biologist, Ursula Stratmann. Finally I did it!
Continue reading “Herbal Ramble”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”