Fasching Festival Fun

When we first arrived in Frankfurt in January, I kept noticing racks of

costumes for sale in supermarkets with 'Fasching' above.

I was intrigued, it was way past Halloween, what did it mean?

I asked a work colleague of my husband, a local traditional festival, he said,

big parade in Weisbaden on the 2nd of March. 'Do we dress up?', I asked

'No, I never do' he replied.

We had no internet, no Google to advise.

So my little family set off on the train to Weisbaden on March 2. I felt a little under dressed

when I noticed everyone on our platform.

There were bears, pirates, cows and fairies.

We arrived with the parade in full swing. 

Colour, atmosphere, all set in a beautiful Weisbaden.

This group was handing out sparkling wine..to the adults.

Lollies (sweets/candy) were thrown to the children from passing

floats pulled by tractors. 

The carnival cry of 'Helau' being called by one and all

Some lollies were consumed on the floats!

Multi-tasking at it's best...

Lolly throwing, bouquet holding, cigarette smoking!

There were bands playing music.

So many colourful costumes.

A wonderful carnivalesque atmosphere!

Most people were in costume, kids and adults alike!

Since we have had internet access, I have discovered that 'Fasching' is a pre Lenten celebration, which is a time for everyone to 'let off steam' before the fasting begins. Was a fabulous celebration with everyone friendly and having a great time. I can't wait for next year now...and I will be dressed for the occasion!

Stay tuned tomorrow for more costume fun!

All about Fasching!

Honouring the Women in my life on International Women's Day

I am fortunate to have so many inspirational women in my circle of friends. Women who nurture and work hard, provide support, shoulders to lean on. Women that have loved and lost. Women who are doing it tough. Those who have survived and are now shining through. Gentle, kind and loving friends. Women I love spending time with, going on adventures, solving the problems of the world over a glass of wine...or two.

Women from all walks of life, young and old. Women to laugh and cry with, share good times and bad. Awesome women from all over the globe. Most of all, I am lucky to have my two beautiful daughters. They are both incredible, caring and kind, smart and vibrant. I am so proud of the young women they have become.

To my girls and all my women friends in my life now and those I haven't met yet.

Happy International Women's Day

We are Strong, We are invincible, We are Woman!

Let's make the world a better place, do something today for a

Woman less fortunate, donate, smile, forgive, help.

Forty Winks Friday...Oh for the simple life!

These nappers probably all have mobile phones, jobs and homes to go to.

They choose to have a quick nap on a park bench to recharge

before getting on with their day.

They take advantage of  the many park benches in and around Shanghai,

taking a leisurely break from the stresses of life. 

They may or may not have internet access at home. They probably don't have Facebook

or a Blog, as they are both blocked in China.

My family has been in Germany for nine weeks today,

without internet access for about eight of those weeks.

The time we had internet, it was slow and unreliable.

In some ways it has been lovely, time to spend together as a family without gadgets

interrupting our lives. It has been difficult to lose connection with 

family and friends, to find our way around our new life in Germany

without Google to advise, direct and translate.

Finally, we are back online!

I, for one am very happy to be connected once again.

Now I can finalise my accommodation plans

for my upcoming visit home to Perth.

Looks like I won't be joining my Shanghai Nappers

on a park bench after all! 

Forty Winks Friday, The grass is always greener

On my first visit to Shanghai, I was pleasantly surprised how much green space there was. 

In a city full of skyscrapers, concrete and buildings as far as the eye can see, there are small parks in every neighbourhood for exercise, socialising and a mahjong game or two. Larger parks such Fuxing, Zhongshang and Century are popular for young and old. Full of people enjoying life, the ladies practising Tai Chi, men flying kites, couples ball room dancing. There is always much happening, badminton games, kids playing, musicians filling the air with soul. I loved spending time with family and friends in Shanghai's parks and of course I could always find a napper or two!

Some came prepared, ready for a nice long nap.

Some were happy to lie on the soft grass.

Once read, a newspaper makes a pretty good blanket.

A soft place to nap after a hard day at work.

If you can't find a stretch of green lawn, a few low lying shrubs will do just fine!

Wild boars and forest walks

My little family was in the right place at the right time when our new

home came up for rent, just as we started looking for a house in Germany.

A lovely house in a great location, close to school, work,

Frankfurt...and it's on the edge of a beautiful forest!

I love walking our dog through the forest every day, the air so fresh my

Shanghai friends would be gasping for more.

I was a little worried, when I kept spotting these 'wild boar' signs on my first venture into the forest.

 I imagined the signs were to warn of nearby wild boar. 

We have had one run in front of our car,

so  I know they are in the forest!

Through the lovely winding track we walked,

signs warning of imminent wild boar sightings.

The dog stayed on his lead.

Every hundred meters or so there was a sign.

There must be quite a few wild boar in this area, I thought!

I hoped the owner of this glove didn't meet up with an angry swine.

I then came across this sign, the rectangular symbol, I know it from a walking track pamphlet,

 is a symbol for a walk that starts in Hofheim! 

The penny dropped, the 'Wild Boar'

signs are a walking track...not warning signs!!!

Feeling rather silly, but now confident I wasn't about to encounter a

big, hairy pig with tusks.

I could enjoy my walk and breathe in all the sweet,

fresh air without fear.

These were the only boar that we have had a brush with in the forest 

and that is fine with me!

Information on walks in the Hofheim am Taunus region.

Forty Winks Friday, take a break!

Sometimes the mundane, everyday tasks are the most

exhausting of all.

Taking a quick break is a great way to re energise!

So, after a rainy day of washing, organising our new home

and general humdrum activities...

The sun is out and I'm off on an adventure

to a nearby town to re energise!

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Perth City, I still call Australia home

In 2006 I was living a contented life in Perth, Western Australia with my two little girls. I was happily divorced and had just celebrated my 21st birthday for the 19th time, amongst my amazing friends who I shared many happy times with and who also helped me through some pretty rough times. If  a fortune teller had looked into a crystal ball and told me that my fortunes would change, I would reconnect with my long lost love, marry and spend four years in Shanghai, China, followed by 18 months in England, then start planning a move to Frankfurt, Germany..... I would have laughed hysterically and asked for my money back. But that is exactly what happened.

My little family has had an incredible time, we loved our time in Shanghai, we were still newly-weds and embraced the life, the culture, food, people and travel. Four years flew by and it was very hard to leave.

Dongtai Lu Antique Market

Golden Koi, symbolising good fortune in China

Crazy loads on tricycles in Shanghai

Our time in England was full of more adventures, history, old pub lunches, lots of fresh air and long walks in the countryside.

Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Tring

Grey's Court, Henley-on-Thames

English Cottage Garden

November 2013 threw us a quite sudden and unexpected curve ball. My husband was offered a position in Germany. The contract was signed in early December and so begun our somewhat frantic search for a school, housing and a seeming tonne of paperwork, all with Christmas and New Year looming. This is why my Shanghai nappers have not appeared for Forty Winks Friday and I have been 'missing in action'. I have been waylaid with a move to our third country in less than two years, not to mention no internet access for five long weeks. So, after living in the two great tea drinking nations of China and England, Oolong to Earl Grey has moved to Riesling and Beer country, I look forward to many new adventures, you are welcome to come along for the ride.

The Rhine River, near Saint Goar, Germany

Christmas Market Weisbaden, Germany

Forest Walk, Hofheim-Taunus Germany