being a commuter

So today was day 1 of a five day train drivers strike here in Germany. This is the latest in a long period of strikes, which seems to be now a battle between 2 alpha males rather than about more pay. Fortunately there is still a train per hour for us commuters. Unfortunately they have…

5 things

Although I am very happy to be going back to Switzerland, there are lots of things I will miss about Germany. here are my top 5, in no particular order of importance: 1. Living where I live – I love my house and the spot we live in. it is a secret spot in the…

hair lust

We were at a party last night – it was billed as an apres ski party, held at a local tennis club. There was not much snow, but there were a fair few people turned up, all dressed in ski jackets, and hats and gloves etc. There was mulled wine and hot chocolate with rum,…

Same procedure as last year

Dinner for one is a classic short film played here, and in Germany and Austria, every year at this time. This year is the 90th anniversary of it.  It is in English and set in a rich house with a butler and a Lady. Every year the Lady has a party for her best friends,…

neglected grassland

I discovered this bar, cafe, venue, whatever you would like to call it just the other day. It is hidden away down a passage in Frankfurt. It is like stepping back in time when you enter, with all red upholstery, brown wood and the smell of stale tabacco. But out the back is this little…

Ich wünsch dir was

I heard this expression yesterday, for the first time in the over four years I have been living in Germany. A waitress said it to some departing guests ” Ich wünsche dir was” It means literally: I wish you something. I was sitting there thinking, but what is she wishing them? Is she too lazy…

Finding a handbag

i know, we ladies have masses of handbags, and shoes. But I am not like that really. I have a few rather worn handbags, and a few rather worn pairs of shoes. The handbags are becoming so worn, that I decided today that I would buy a new one. Trouble was that I had no…

weekend

so finally it is the weekend again, and there is no football to keep us up. The temperatures are soaring up to about 35 degrees – so what shall I do? There is the normal boring stuff to do of course, like doing the home finances, and probably I should go out and get a…

Kontrast in Frankfurt

I cannot believe that I have lived near Frankfurt for almost 4 years now and never been in this fantastic interiors store I finally entered today. Kontrast is a furniture and lighting store in an old warehouse building, and it is brimming with super designs and items. I thought I was in heaven. The lamps…