Pfingsten Holiday- Bergkirchweih

Pentecost is a holiday many Germans in this region celebrate in one way or another. The German schools have two weeks off and the annual Bergkirchweih (hill church blessing) is celebrated with a famous Bierfest very close to us, in Erlangen. In fact the field at the end of our road is used as a carpark. More than a million and a half people are likely to visit over the ten days it runs. It is just a short walk over the hill for us. I have taken lots of photos in previous years, so you can look back in the blog archive on the side , if you want to see them. Here are just a few of this year when we went on Saturday (11th June)

 One of the many Oompa bands.

 The children had Bratwurst mit Brotchen (hotdogs) and Pete and I had Ox which had been roasted on a spit......

In life he was called Fredrich and he was the third ox to have been roasted so far at the Bergkirchweih!!

It was served with Kloss (a cross between mashed potato and a flour dumpling) and Rotkohl (sweet pickled red cabbage). Lecker!! (yummy!)

On Monday 13th June , it was a Public Holiday so we went for a bike ride to Alterlangen, and to Freibadwest (an outdoor swimming pool) that we hadn't been to before.

Amazingly there were only us and two other boys there!

On the way home we could see the big wheel of the Bergkirchweih.

Girl Scouts World Thinking Day and Fasching

I can't believe a year has gone by already! Last Saturday Jemima took part in her second International Girl Scouts World Thinking Day. The country that her group had to portray was Cyprus. She performed a Greek dance with her troop.

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It's Fasching or Carnival time here in Germany. Jemima and Elijah have both gone to school/Kindergarten today dressed up ready for a party to anticipate the demise of winter and  the arrival of spring , (let's hope so!) Jonah unfortunately, as happened last year at the same time, is confined to bed with a streptococcal infection in his throat and tonsils! This coincided with him getting an orthodontic brace this week , but I don't think they are connected.

9 Lessons and Carols

Last Sunday evening, 19th December, we braved the snow and ice and travelled the 35km to Bamberg, where Jemima and her fellow Girl Scout Brownies had been invited to sing at the Bamberg Deutsch-English Group's service of  9 Lessons and Carols. The service, in English was in a small Chapel at a Bamberg Gymnasium (Grammer) School. It was cold, but not as cold as at home , where we had no heating!!

P.S. We are warm at home now, and have hot water once more , after a substantial oil delivery on Monday. We did have some left, but it seems not enough to keep the boiler running!

Last Weekend

Jemima

Despite having a bad cough and being a little under the weather Jemima managed to swim 25 metres at her swimming lesson on Friday and therefore pass her 'Seepferdchen' (Sea Horse) award in her swimming lesson , after only 4 weeks of lessons. She was very pleased with herself, and it has really increased her self confidence. Jemima and Elijah go swimming together in the small swimming pool at the nearby Waldkrankenhuas, (Forrest hospital) It is a great place and the water temperature was 35oC!

Then on Saturday she should have gone to her Brownie teachers house to bake for a badge, but she was not feeling well enough. Later in the afternoon she baked some waffles. Below is the Photographic evidence that will earn her her badge anyway.

Jamie
Our dear friends are moving back to America at the end of the week. We will miss them greatly. We had some farewell activities including a photo call of a 'Playgroup' we go to , and a very snowy visit to the Erlangen Christmas Market, followed by a tasty Greek meal out.

PS. It's still snowing here, milder and wetter than the beginning of last week, but forecast for the next week at least!

Girl Scout Camp

Jemima had a fantastic time at  her American Girl Scout Camp last weekend and didn't seem to mind being away from us one bit. She was even reluctant to come home!

  She is very proud of her badges that she has earned this year too.

Thank you to all the leaders who enabled the girls to have such a memorable time.