We've arrived in Freiburg, Germany

I have moved to Google blog to gain a more steady platform. The previous site had issues that got tiresome dealing with. If you are new to my ramblings you can find my previous blogs at:

2012 - http://bevwhitlexi.blog.com
2013 prior - http://bdelamere.blog.com

Have patience, or not, they are still having server issues.

Hello, we're back in Germany!

Ah, the sites and smells are wonderful, more on that a bit later.

We had intended to fly and train all in one day but had to amend that plan when Lexi cat started getting restive. Arrived in Freiburg on the 2nd of September and met up with our partners, D & E, at our flat. Had a nice dinner together at the Munster Platz (large church plaza) and then stumbled into bed.

The next day we moved into our flat and spent the day unpacking, finding things we'd left from before and settling in. In fact, that process takes a few days but it's pleasure to do! D & E left the flat in wonderful shape and added plants to the winter garden that are colourful and brighten up the space. The winter garden is a glassed off patio in concrete. It adds an extra room to the flat and more light.

Went downtown via tram and bought our monthly tram tickets. This allows access to about a 100 km radius around Freiburg to visit many little towns. Here's hoping we can find a Wine Festival in one, since this is the season!

I have ordered a bike. First in, oh, about, forty years! Yikes, I hope it's true that you never forget how to ride. Riding here is flat and we have pathways along the farms to a small zoo. We've been to the zoo but it is too far to walk, walking the zoo, and walking back, hence the need for wheels.

Went down to the Munster Market in the Platz and bought treats for ourselves for dinner, including artichoke hearts, cheese, meat etc. Being a sunny Saturday it was very busy so we spent time at a cafe to people watch. The most outstanding was a woman wearing a bright orange dress and matching orange hair. Guess she loves the colour orange. I noticed some people dress with such élan, both men and women, wear beautifully fit and classic clothing. Others, like me, are more the shorts and a T-shirt type.

This is an older picture - hence the tulips but gives you an idea of the colours.

The Wurst stalls were doing a roaring business. People walk, shop and eat their wursts in a bun as they go. Me, I like to stop and eat so I don't get mustard all over myself and everyone around me. Most stalls carry 5-6 different types of sausage with onions and the smells are fabulous! Then you add the smells coming from the stalls of fresh fruit, veg and herbs - especially dill right now, and the colours of everything and it is a wonderful thing to experience.

Kids love the bachle's around town. They are small streams that run on both sides of the road and sidewalks and were originally used for watering livestock and water for fires. A stall sells small wooden boats, complete with "mast" on strings for the kids to run up and down the water. Saw them again yesterday and the little girls started out wearing nice little dresses but by the time they had exhausted themselves ended up in just their panties. What fun for them!

This is a mural on a shop wall in Freiburg. The monk is really enjoying his beer. It is well done I think. That's Bruce in the tan raincoat with the crutch to the left - squint and you'll see him.

We had a thunder and lightening storm last night that was quite incredible. Sheet lightening lit the sky, it was windy and rainy and the power went out for 8 minutes as evident from our clocks. Everything looks a bit fresher this morning.

The first day we were here in Freiburg I wanted to visit all our favourite places all at once! So excited to be back. The feeling reminded me of the first day of self employment and I found it hard to figure out what to do first. Eventually I settled in, as I have here, and take one experience at a time to savour and enjoy.

So, that's a great first week! Will keep you posted. 

Cheers, Bev, Bruce and Lexi Cat