A taste of Germany

The itinerary whilst in Germany:

Mainz

Revisited the lovely old town with its impressive Dome backdrop. The Roman ampitheatre excavation (pictured) has moved on a lot from my last visit. Ventured in to explore the Gutenberg Museum (also pictured). Gutenberg of printing press fame was born here and they have amassed a large collection of printing machinery, books and newspapers. The drawings and fonts in the old works were quite something. Venture into the vault to see one of the few remaining Gutenberg Bibles on display. Much more substantial exhibition than I had expected. Worth visiting if you are in that neck of the woods

Oppenheim

Wandered through the streets of Oppenheim, a town known for wine. St Catherine's Church is quite something, especially lit at night with snow falling. The town also has quite a history in the military sense. I would have liked to have been able to visit the underground labrynth of tunnels. Also would have liked to have had time to seek out the castle ruins. Did wander  through the town gates and past the pictured clock tower. Didn't get to sample the local drop.

Frankfurt

As expected Frankfurt cetainly has a business and finance feel with its skyscraper skyline. Visited the reconstructed old town area which had been badly bombed in WWII. Wandered along the Main River. Brrrr was it cold but picturesque with it snowy banks

Biebrich

Biebrich is situated alongside the Rhine. A lap around the Biebrich Palace surrounded by snow and another very cold river walk.

And finally, a campsite on the rivers edge. Anyone for camping on ice?

Chilled to the bone

Spent a long weekend visiting some good friends in Germany. I was warned that it was cold but couldn't have imagined quite how cold. Usefully, all of the things that would keep one warm - gloves, ski coat, ski boots, etc - were in a crate Oz bound. A loaned coat certainly helped but my feet have never been so chilled.


Didn't get off to the best start with a late departing flight and trouble getting a bus from the airport. This meant standing at a bus stop (with a roof but no side protection) in freezing temperatures and several inches of snow and more falling. Brrrrrr! After only 10 hours, destination reached. The amount of snow clearing machinery at the airport was quite something - no surprise then that Europe soldiers on through such weather while less equipped Britain struggles.

The cold was made all the more acceptable by the fact that there was snow and plenty of it. Snowed on and off all weekend. What more could you want? Only downside was my failed attempt at sliding across the snow like everyone else and ending up in a heap on an icy road - sore and battered. Ouch!

The cold also came in handy when fridge space was at a premium. We were preparing for additional guests so plenty of food and drinks and ice cream to cool. Never fear, pop it in your cool room (ie on the balcony) and problem sorted.

A frosty but fun weekend. Trip back was all smooth sailing. Up at 2am UK time and in the office by 8am. A rather long and tiring day but am really glad to have snuck in that last minute visit before disappearing to Oz.

Winter fashion

Winter fashion has been very much whatever you fancy and keeps you warm. London is always a great place for donning any outrageous outfit and having no one take a second glance. With a chillier than usual winter this even creeps into the office. Everyone has been a real mismatch of winter woolies, variety of coats and the footwear! I can't say I greatly like the office attire and sheepskin boots or workman's boots look but then I have taken to wearing ankle boots and a suit for lack of any other more appropriate footwear. I almost bought some ear warmers too. I held back though. Think it was the 10 year old inside excited by the snow that wanted them and convinced myself I didn't really need them. Have reverted to school days though with red tights and some green ones too. Having worn such things as school uniform you think you will never go down this path again. Also picked up some great argyle pattern over the knee socks (much nicer than my attempt at replicating argyle pattern pictured) and shock horror, have even got some leg warmers. Not sure what kind of winter Melbourne will bring but I am prepared for anything.

Melbourne here I come

The end is nigh. My time in London is nearing an end. Nearly time for another long long plane journey...

Looking forward to catching up with everyone and rediscovering all things Melbourne.

Brrr

Phone this morning suggested a high of -2 for the day and a low of -5 while claiming it was currently -8. Brrrr indeed. And now it's time to trek off to work, literally. No public transport for me

Who dunnit?

Couldn't resist a picture of the pavement this morning complete with snowy foot prints, paw prints and claw prints. None of these guys made a clean getaway

Has snowed quite a lot all day, but alas I was tied to my desk. Sadly it had stopped by the time I was leaving. Thought I would try the local park after work but the gates were locked. Does not compare with the scale of the February snow last year but I can't complain - at least we got some. Not a lot of fresh snow to crunch into so those rare footsteps that do crunch are even more satisfying.

It is rather chilly - lots of minus temperatures on the weather forecast. Am glad to be not so far north they are double figures with a minus. Have plenty of layers to keep warm - just need some ice skates to navigate the icy remnants of that brief white spell in the morning. Although they say we are in the longest cold snap in 30 years and there is more to come, I don't hold my breath that London will be blanketed in more snow or look like the winter wonderland pics in the media of other towns

Cheers

A toast to 2010 and more snow too! Baileys on snow for me.

Party like it's 1999

The end of another decade makes me think back to the turn of the century, all the millennium hype and Prince's song, Party like it's 1999. Fancy footwork or not, I hope you have a great night seeing in the new year. Good luck to all for your endeavours in 2010.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas one and all. Hope you all have a lovely day.

Marzipan icing

Perhaps I exaggerate slightly but there has been a good few inches of snow today. Unlike my last post in which roof tops were dusted with icing sugar, this time the snow was settling and looked like proper icing on a wedding or Christmas cake.

Made it home, despite poor shoe choice, without any slips or injuries. Whilst most had to contemplate commuter chaos to get home, I had the pleasure of a slow stroll in the snow, watching the local children have snow fights (and hoping to not become a target); and the surprise when lumps of snow slide off a tree or lamp post and onto to my head. Ah snow! Not looking forward to tomorrow. If there has been no more snow then it might be a slippery ice skating effort to get anywhere. They don't think it will snow for Christmas and if not at least I got this early present.