Thursday, 5 June 2014

Mystery Solved

I have a nice planter at my entrance which I filled with little Violas.
Despite the perfect position, water and care,
the plants look terrible and have gone from four pots to one straggly one.

I was in the kitchen when a bright flash out the window caught my eye.
This cute little fat guy, fat because he has eaten my plants,
took about thirty seconds to devour a number of buds before
heading back into the forest.

Mystery Solved, cute culprit caught!
I'm hoping he comes back for another feed and 
I can have my camera on the correct settings!

Robin eating Violas in Germany

Robin eating Violas in Germany

Robin eating Violas in Germany

Robin eating Violas in Germany

Robin eating Violas in Germany

Robin eating Violas in Germany

Tuesday, 3 June 2014

Settling in and getting out.

It is hard to believe that we have been living in Germany for nearly five months. Time has flown and we are getting accustomed to our new lifestyle, learning the local customs and finding our way around. Things that were new and sometimes scary, are now second nature. I now know where to pay bills, the best places to buy local produce, which train goes where. In a city where we knew not a soul a few short months ago, I can now bump into people I know at the shops or on my forest walks. 

It has been a tough transition, teenage girls starting at a new school, making friends and missing old friends, coming to grips with a new curriculum, homework, new customs and cultures. A husband working hard, travelling back and forth to the UK. Weekends come and I want to grab my little family and head out to discover more of this wonderful country together. It took me a few weeks to understand that my husband and girls wanted to chill out after a busy, sometimes chaotic week. Relax in our new home, unwind, recharge.

We came to an agreement, Sunday would be our family day, go for a walk, visit a new place, spend some time together before heading home to a Sunday Roast, a tradition we started in England. We have discovered the Rhine Trail/Rheinsteig, a gorgeous walk that follows the Rhine between Wiesbaden and Bonn. One gorgeous Sunday we headed to Lorch and walked through the town, up into the hills above.

Rhine Trail, Lorch, Germany

Wild strawberries lined the walkway.

Rhine Trail, Lorch, Germany

As we ascended, Lorch and the Rhine came into view.

Rhine Trail, Lorch, Germany

A beautiful vista opened up before us.

Rhine Trail, Lorch, Germany

We walked past vineyards and castles.

Rhine Trail, Lorch, Germany

Signposts led the way.

Rhine Trail, Lorch, Germany

A beautiful way to spend the morning with the family. Out in the fresh air
soaking up the gorgeous countryside.

Rhine Trail, Lorch, Germany

We headed back to Lorch for a quick, refreshing drink before
heading home.

Rhine Trail, Lorch, Germany

The Rhine Trail is in sections, with the railway running parallel. We plan on doing the walk in stages, parking our car, walking for one or two sections, between towns and villages, then catching the train back to the car so we don't have to backtrack. Lots of family adventures and time to explore, we are so lucky to have this on our doorstep!

Friday, 30 May 2014

Forty Winks Friday. Frankfurt Edition.


I had a fabulous adventure to the Esprit Montmartre Exhibition 
at the Schirn Kunsthalle art gallery in Frankfurt.

After spending hours wandering around and soaking up the
artwork of Picasso, Van Gogh, Steinlen and
Henri deToulouse Lautrec,
I looked down into the atrium and was rewarded with
a group of Frankfurt Nappers.

Comfortable cushions perfectly placed
for a little rest after visiting the exhibits.

My Shanghai Nappers would be jealous!


Frankfurt Nappers

Frankfurt Nappers

Frankfurt Nappers

Thursday, 29 May 2014

German Gems #1

Excuses to drink more wine!

Save water, drink riesling!

Drink wine and save the planet..
win/win!

Sunday, 25 May 2014

Moments in Time: 10 April 2010, Fuxing Park, Shanghai.

Today's random date selector landed on 10 April 2010.
Shanghai has many public gardens, lovely spaces
to get out and enjoy life, socialise and exercise.

Fuxing Park, located in The Former French Concession,
is the only French styled park in Shanghai with 
symmetrical flowerbeds and fountains.
Fuxing Park is always full of colour and vibrancy
and is one of my favourites.

Dancing, Fuxing Park, Shanghai China

10:56
Ballroom dancing along the avenue.

Card game, Fuxing Park, Shanghai China

10:58
A game of cards in the sun.

Spring flower, Fuxing Park, Shanghai China

11:04
Busy bee making the most of the new spring blooms.

Amusement ride, Fuxing Park, Shanghai China

11:37
An amusement ride, where you can shoot endangered species
for points as you race around the track. Really!

Music, Fuxing Park, Shanghai China

11:42
A little concert in this corner of the park.

Dancing, Fuxing Park, Shanghai China

11:44
Enjoying a dance to the music.

Balloon, Fuxing Park, Shanghai China

11:48
Some special time with Grandma.

Fuxing Park: 516 Fuxing Middle Road, Luwan
near Chongching Nan Road, Shanghai.




Friday, 23 May 2014

Forty Winks Friday. More market snoozing.


I have visited the Shanghai South Bund Fabric Market
many times and it has been the first place I go to
on my trips back to Shanghai.
Well, maybe after a dumpling stop!

It is the place to go for new clothes.
You want it, they can make it,
any size, any colour, any style!

As well as filling my wardrobe with clothes, I have also
captured a few nappers on my Fabric Market adventures.
From couriers waiting on deliveries, tailors waiting
for clients, or bored husbands waiting for wives,
I found them there.

Robyn's Shanghai Nappers

Robyn's Shanghai Nappers

Robyn's Shanghai Nappers

Robyn's Shanghai Nappers

Shanghai South Bund Fabric Market
399 Lujiabang Lu.
near Nancang Jie.

Metro Line 4, Nanpu Bridge.

南外滩轻纺面料市场, 
陆家浜路399号, 
近南仓街




Sunday, 18 May 2014

Moments in Time: 18 January 2013


Today's random date selector landed on
18 January 2013

We had just had our first English Winter and were a little
disappointed that we didn't get a longed for 'White Christmas'
so were all happy when snow was forecast.

The 18th dawned and many schools were closed, but not ours.
I took the dog for a walk with no snow in sight. By the time we returned home
the snow had set in and our backyard was covered in white.

Dog catching snowflakes

11:23
Plenty of snowflakes for Ralph the dog to catch.

Driving in the snow

12:18
School closed, had to hit the road to pick up my girls.
Happy to have a 4x4 with anti skid!

Snowblob

13:42
We learned that not all snow is suitable for building snowmen,
this stuff was like building a sandcastle with dry sand...
hence our 'snowblob'

Snowy tunnel

14:10
The walkway to our dog walking field, clear that morning
had become a beautiful white tunnel.

Robin in snow

14:11
Spotted a cute little Robin.

Field of snow

14:22
Dog walking field turned
Winter Wonderland.

Haddenham Church End

15:12
Church End and the duck pond
take on a postcard look.

Snow covered red phone box

15:19
Snow topped red phone box...
and time for a pint at The Green Dragon!