Hmmm...
I begin to wonder if I'm getting old. Why? Here are five reasons:
1. I finished knitting my scarf today. It's full of autumnal colours and very warm, in that knitted scratchy kind of way.
2. Ben and I are presently baking a yoghurt cake to use up some oldish pears.
3. Waking up late this morning, I read a little in bed before stumbling throughto the kitchen to enjoy tea and croissants with Ben.
4. Our Saturday ritual of visiting the mediatech feels comfortable, as we gleefully return to the house with an armful of CDs and books to pour over.
5. As the snow fell this week, I noticed how the sparrow hawks tucked their heads into their fluffy chests as they sat on bare trees watching the world; I saw how the orange of a fox running across an open field burned like a flame; and, I realised that whenever crows fly overhead in a flock of dark light I cannot help but remember how the bats swirled out of Carlsbad Cavern in New Mexico and out into a different world than my own.
But, if these are the joys of growing old, may the world roll on.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Sunday, November 13, 2005
St Martin
This Sunday afternoon we're back home to catch up on work and stuff but, before I start, I thought I'd tell you about our Friday night. You see November 11th in Germany is St Martin's day and in the evening all the children (and their parents) dress up warmly and parade through the streets while proudly showing off their 'lanterns.'Who was St. Martin? He was a Roman monk who cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar during a snowstorm. As the moon hung in the dark sky over Schwieberdingen, Juliette and Regis' home town, the parade was hence led by a Roman on a horse (that is, by St Martin) and finished in a church with a small reading of the history and, most importantly, with bretzels to munch on the way home!.
Friday, November 11, 2005
lac de pierre percée
Hello,
This Friday morning we're catching up on stuff so that we can bunk off for the weekend. Indeed, in a few hours we're heading through to Germany because its Antoine's 4th birthday tomorrow.
We have to arrive this afternoon because tonight we are joining in a 'German lattern parade' to celebrate (I think) a saint's day. I'll post more about that once we return.
Otherwise, the week has been busy for both Ben and I as work is keeping us occupied from dawn to dusk. No complaints, though, as we both really enjoy what we're doing.. which is, for my part, training various business man and women how to speak English. If this sets any of you off yawning.. imagine my day yesterday.
I left the house around 7am and drove through mist covered fields... where the silhouettes of trees stood out like charcoal sketchings on blank page. Upon arriving at Forexplo - a forestry company - I was offered the choice of a hundred different types of tea (they'd been shopping!) before I sat down to work with the first two clients. After about 3 hours of pleasant chatting and laughing it was time for lunch... which with this company means a little restaurant and a three course meal. Yesterday, though, after aperitif, starter, main course, apple pie desert, and - of course - coffee, they were slightly upset that the bill had come to as much as 15euros! Needless to say, I wasn't that upset given my lunch is - we could say - not usually that extravagent! Then, at around 2.30pm, the English work began again .. though, of course, in a slightly sleepier fashion than before! Now, all my days are not like this - indeed they tend to involve a lot of driving and additional preparation and the occassional swear word - but hey, nobody said the world was perfect!
Last Sunday was kinda perfect, though, - at least after a crappy start.
A crappy start? Yep, you know that nice shiny new car we spent loads of money on? Well, it came with a faulty battery (I can still hear Ziggy's laughter if I listen hard enough at night). So, the first part of Sunday was spent calling out a repair guy and then driving it to a garage before we headed off into the hills in Ben's Laguna!
Ah well!
The hassle was worth it... as we arrived at the (man-made) lake with enough time to enjoy a 2 hour walk around its border before the sun began to set over its sandy edges. As the air is beginning to chill (that's to say Ben and I are quite happy in our cosy pajamas at night, thank you very much!), the lake air felt fresh and clean. So, much of the walk was spent talking and laughing as the yellow flames of leaves danced through the air. All round, like a hearth as the last heat dwindles, the trees were becoming ashen and cold. But, we didn't mind as the pinks and oranges of the sunset cast their own light through the embers. Indeed, as we clambered back into the car to go home, we were already trying to plan the next time we could return.
Have a nice weekend, y'all!
This Friday morning we're catching up on stuff so that we can bunk off for the weekend. Indeed, in a few hours we're heading through to Germany because its Antoine's 4th birthday tomorrow.
We have to arrive this afternoon because tonight we are joining in a 'German lattern parade' to celebrate (I think) a saint's day. I'll post more about that once we return.
Otherwise, the week has been busy for both Ben and I as work is keeping us occupied from dawn to dusk. No complaints, though, as we both really enjoy what we're doing.. which is, for my part, training various business man and women how to speak English. If this sets any of you off yawning.. imagine my day yesterday.
I left the house around 7am and drove through mist covered fields... where the silhouettes of trees stood out like charcoal sketchings on blank page. Upon arriving at Forexplo - a forestry company - I was offered the choice of a hundred different types of tea (they'd been shopping!) before I sat down to work with the first two clients. After about 3 hours of pleasant chatting and laughing it was time for lunch... which with this company means a little restaurant and a three course meal. Yesterday, though, after aperitif, starter, main course, apple pie desert, and - of course - coffee, they were slightly upset that the bill had come to as much as 15euros! Needless to say, I wasn't that upset given my lunch is - we could say - not usually that extravagent! Then, at around 2.30pm, the English work began again .. though, of course, in a slightly sleepier fashion than before! Now, all my days are not like this - indeed they tend to involve a lot of driving and additional preparation and the occassional swear word - but hey, nobody said the world was perfect!
Last Sunday was kinda perfect, though, - at least after a crappy start.
A crappy start? Yep, you know that nice shiny new car we spent loads of money on? Well, it came with a faulty battery (I can still hear Ziggy's laughter if I listen hard enough at night). So, the first part of Sunday was spent calling out a repair guy and then driving it to a garage before we headed off into the hills in Ben's Laguna!
Ah well!
The hassle was worth it... as we arrived at the (man-made) lake with enough time to enjoy a 2 hour walk around its border before the sun began to set over its sandy edges. As the air is beginning to chill (that's to say Ben and I are quite happy in our cosy pajamas at night, thank you very much!), the lake air felt fresh and clean. So, much of the walk was spent talking and laughing as the yellow flames of leaves danced through the air. All round, like a hearth as the last heat dwindles, the trees were becoming ashen and cold. But, we didn't mind as the pinks and oranges of the sunset cast their own light through the embers. Indeed, as we clambered back into the car to go home, we were already trying to plan the next time we could return.
Have a nice weekend, y'all!
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Mont St Odile
As the French celebrated Toussaints and as we all had a day off work, Ben and I began the day slowly with home-made waffles and a lazy morning upstairs in the office. Then, as the afternoon rolled away the grey clouds and revealed some blue sky, we drove through the autumn trees and yellowing vineyards to Mont St Odile.
In 1000bc the Celts used this mountain top as a source of shelter and as a place to sacrafice, and even today you can see why. Standing sheltered by rich pines, you cast your eyes left and right trying to absorb the expanse of the plateau. Today you are also sheltered by the immense abbey which still welcomes nuns and which is decorated by numerous small chapels and recluses.
After exploring the main site, Ben and I wandered along wooded paths and over big square bolders. In fact, the bolders lying on the green moss made one rather imagine the Gods had left their dice on the gambling table and gone to bed.
Now we're home we're looking forward to raclette, relaxation, and the next national holiday in - oh - ten days time!
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Strasbourg
In the tradition of all things Alsatian, this weekend was spent eating and drinking!
On Saturday we met the family in a brasserie in Strasbourg and tucked into the likes of tarte flambé (pizza like thing with cheese, cream, and lardons) and choucroute (cabbage and ham/am still learning how to spell it!) ; all the while, washing down a rather large amount of beer.
Yep, I could get used to this way of life!
Did I tell you that I drink a small glass of Kronenbourg beer each morning around 7.30pm and each evening around 6.30pm? No, then I didn't mention that I drive past the Kron. factory and that the wafts of beer pour themselves into my car each time!
Anyhoo, it was lovely to spend Saturday with 'the crowd' walking around Strasbourg and enjoying the sites... and to see juwt how fast Antoine and Charlotte are becoming little, delightful people.
Sunday, October 09, 2005
brothers and cousins
A wee entry to celebrate my brother Graham and my cousin Kate!!
Kate's been traveling through Australia and New Zealand for just under two years now. Here's her last entry:
"last time i wrote, I was just leaving adelaide, where I'd been for 5 months, with many happy memories and heading westward across the huge expanses of the nullabor plain to WA. Well, since then Ive driven over 13000k (8000miles) seen many amazing things, and become awestruck at the sheer enormity of this dry, hot continent. a million miles away from scotland in many ways.
My first stop in WA after waving goodbye to my two nullabor companions was to do some woofing at an ecological community on the south western coast. A beautiful area, very green, with lots of trees, and an interesting coastline. The woofing was fantastic. Stayed with a lovely family who made me feel very welcome and were more than happy to share their extensive knowledge of sustainable living and community. I spent most of my time there in the veggie garden and as i was there for a month, got to see the plants growing which I'd sown- very satisfying. Amongst other things i also helped out at some elderly neighbours houses, did a few days work at the nearby centre for sustainable living and took part in community working bees.
The west coast is amazing...the bits I loved most were visiting Nigaloo marine park and snorkelling on the reef there- a bit like the great barrier reef but closer to shore. We snorkelled in a couple of different places, and despite my almost paralysing paranoia about sharks I managed to relax and enjoy it. Saw so many different coloured and shaped fishes and was just fantastic to get a glimpse into their little lives for a while. The last day we were there we went to an idillic snorkel spot in turquoise bay, we were just about to get out when Kevin tapped my shoulder and pointed- omg! a shark!! my worst fear, and my first thought was...oh, its not that big is it.it was a little reef shark. amazing to see it but i still got out of the water rather speedily. "
Now to be clear - she's one cool cat for having had such exeperiences. But, you know what? Even in Scotland she was an overall inspiring and envigorating person!
Meanwhile, my brother Graham has spent the last few months sailing from the Panama Canal towards Australia. Here's one of his last entries:
"We are currently en-route to theTuamotau Archipelago, but when we arrive in Tahiti, (10 days or so) I shalldefiantly be calling in. The Marquesas Islands ended up being a verypleasant refueling (both the boat and crew) point and both the islands wevisited were charmful and full of character and of course six days was notnearly enough. The first anchorage was called on a tiny island (pop. 1,000) called FatuHiva with a splattering of other yachts, including one registered inAberdeen. 38 feet, steel, ketch which left from Peterhead a couple of yearsago, sailed by Tam fae Kemnay who has a strong Aberdeenshire accent. Mad... "
Crazy, in fact!
much love,
Robyn
Kate's been traveling through Australia and New Zealand for just under two years now. Here's her last entry:
"last time i wrote, I was just leaving adelaide, where I'd been for 5 months, with many happy memories and heading westward across the huge expanses of the nullabor plain to WA. Well, since then Ive driven over 13000k (8000miles) seen many amazing things, and become awestruck at the sheer enormity of this dry, hot continent. a million miles away from scotland in many ways.
My first stop in WA after waving goodbye to my two nullabor companions was to do some woofing at an ecological community on the south western coast. A beautiful area, very green, with lots of trees, and an interesting coastline. The woofing was fantastic. Stayed with a lovely family who made me feel very welcome and were more than happy to share their extensive knowledge of sustainable living and community. I spent most of my time there in the veggie garden and as i was there for a month, got to see the plants growing which I'd sown- very satisfying. Amongst other things i also helped out at some elderly neighbours houses, did a few days work at the nearby centre for sustainable living and took part in community working bees.
The west coast is amazing...the bits I loved most were visiting Nigaloo marine park and snorkelling on the reef there- a bit like the great barrier reef but closer to shore. We snorkelled in a couple of different places, and despite my almost paralysing paranoia about sharks I managed to relax and enjoy it. Saw so many different coloured and shaped fishes and was just fantastic to get a glimpse into their little lives for a while. The last day we were there we went to an idillic snorkel spot in turquoise bay, we were just about to get out when Kevin tapped my shoulder and pointed- omg! a shark!! my worst fear, and my first thought was...oh, its not that big is it.it was a little reef shark. amazing to see it but i still got out of the water rather speedily. "
Now to be clear - she's one cool cat for having had such exeperiences. But, you know what? Even in Scotland she was an overall inspiring and envigorating person!
Meanwhile, my brother Graham has spent the last few months sailing from the Panama Canal towards Australia. Here's one of his last entries:
"We are currently en-route to theTuamotau Archipelago, but when we arrive in Tahiti, (10 days or so) I shalldefiantly be calling in. The Marquesas Islands ended up being a verypleasant refueling (both the boat and crew) point and both the islands wevisited were charmful and full of character and of course six days was notnearly enough. The first anchorage was called on a tiny island (pop. 1,000) called FatuHiva with a splattering of other yachts, including one registered inAberdeen. 38 feet, steel, ketch which left from Peterhead a couple of yearsago, sailed by Tam fae Kemnay who has a strong Aberdeenshire accent. Mad... "
Crazy, in fact!
much love,
Robyn
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Molsheim
A thick layer of mist lay over Molsheim as I scurried out for croissants and pains aux chocolat this morning but all the same the sun was pushing its way through the silken layer, like a torch shining through water.
This weekend Molsheim is celebrating its fete des raisins but as the festivities don't really start until tomorrow Ben and I thought we'd go visit the recently harvested vineyards that lie just above the town. By this point, the sun was proudly shining in a blue sky .. and the only clouds were the flocks of joyful birds that were doing some harvesting of their own!
The New Car!
And, voila, here is our new car.
She is a Volkswagen Golf and comes with a bunch of toys: automatic gear box, air-conditioning, automatic wind shield wipers, and so on.
She's cute and I already love her (sorry Ziggy!).
Anyone wanting a test-drive just needs to come visit :-)
Monday, October 03, 2005
germany
I'm now at home eating kugelhopf and drinking gerwutztraminer, though not necessarily at spelling them.
Why? Because now when we take a trip to Germany it feels like visiting a home away from home (and not just because its cold and raining).
Anyhoo, we had a lovely weekend in Germany and not least because our new Golf drove us there (we cannot really say we drove, as we were too busy playing with the gadgets and listening to CDs to care about anything else other than the gear box was on automatic and the speed was on cruise control!!).
Once with Juliette and Regis, we helped unpack their boxes and play with the kids while generally relaxing and eating good food. Stressful, it was not.
Now we're back on the other side of the Rhine we're both busy working hard and enjoying life.
Indeed, it is - as they say - all good!
Why? Because now when we take a trip to Germany it feels like visiting a home away from home (and not just because its cold and raining).
Anyhoo, we had a lovely weekend in Germany and not least because our new Golf drove us there (we cannot really say we drove, as we were too busy playing with the gadgets and listening to CDs to care about anything else other than the gear box was on automatic and the speed was on cruise control!!).
Once with Juliette and Regis, we helped unpack their boxes and play with the kids while generally relaxing and eating good food. Stressful, it was not.
Now we're back on the other side of the Rhine we're both busy working hard and enjoying life.
Indeed, it is - as they say - all good!
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
scottish dancing
For the last month Benoit and I have been waiting for the Strasbourg Scottish Dancing group to restart for the season. Even still, last night around 7.30pm I thought we were going to miss our first night. Why? Because, although the dancing started at that time, I was still stuck in traffic between Colmar and Molsheim and about to take a wrong turn and so delay things further....
My excellent man, rather than listening to my ranting that we were too late, calmly explained even if we were late, we'd still have the chance to dance and so to experience something different than watching Tuesday night TV.
Little wonder then, I was really pleased when we arrived around 8.30pm and saw we were just as welcome late as early!
Indeed, I must be a nerd because I exclaimed outloud when I saw we were going to dance 'the round reel of eight' and 'wind on loch fyne!' .. and that Ben and I would be just fine with this group.
And, so the night darkened outside as inside a rather sweaty squashcourt the lights shone on groups of ten people quietly counting to themselves, 'one, two, three, four, promenade hold for three, then cast to the right, and set to the side.."
And, so I was happy.
My excellent man, rather than listening to my ranting that we were too late, calmly explained even if we were late, we'd still have the chance to dance and so to experience something different than watching Tuesday night TV.
Little wonder then, I was really pleased when we arrived around 8.30pm and saw we were just as welcome late as early!
Indeed, I must be a nerd because I exclaimed outloud when I saw we were going to dance 'the round reel of eight' and 'wind on loch fyne!' .. and that Ben and I would be just fine with this group.
And, so the night darkened outside as inside a rather sweaty squashcourt the lights shone on groups of ten people quietly counting to themselves, 'one, two, three, four, promenade hold for three, then cast to the right, and set to the side.."
And, so I was happy.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
September Sundays
I love lazy Sunday mornings!
I work up at 8am and was so tempted by the clear morning sunshine that I crept through to the living room to listen to Diane Krall's soulful melodies and to finish Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway. Then Ben came through and read quietly beside me. Now we've drunk our respective cups of tea and coffee and are making plans to quietly visit Obernai this afternoon.
The gentleness of the morning is all the kinder, as last night was filled with conversation and good food (chicken cooked in beer; fresh salad with an olive oil and garlic dressing; apple pie with a homemade custurd layer). A work colleague/fellow mountain biker/badminton player came over with his girlfriend and so we talked work, and politics, and travel, and castles, and mythology. Lovely stuff!
Indeed, I think weekends are all the nicer after a busy week of work because one really appreciate the contrast! So, here's to lazy weekends!
regards,
Robynx
ps/still celebrating my gypsy article on http://www.pilotguides.com/community/travel_writers/gypsy_hearts.php
I work up at 8am and was so tempted by the clear morning sunshine that I crept through to the living room to listen to Diane Krall's soulful melodies and to finish Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway. Then Ben came through and read quietly beside me. Now we've drunk our respective cups of tea and coffee and are making plans to quietly visit Obernai this afternoon.
The gentleness of the morning is all the kinder, as last night was filled with conversation and good food (chicken cooked in beer; fresh salad with an olive oil and garlic dressing; apple pie with a homemade custurd layer). A work colleague/fellow mountain biker/badminton player came over with his girlfriend and so we talked work, and politics, and travel, and castles, and mythology. Lovely stuff!
Indeed, I think weekends are all the nicer after a busy week of work because one really appreciate the contrast! So, here's to lazy weekends!
regards,
Robynx
ps/still celebrating my gypsy article on http://www.pilotguides.com/community/travel_writers/gypsy_hearts.php
Thursday, September 22, 2005
autumn is in the air
You know that tired yet satisfied feeling? Well, I've got it!
The day began early as I drove south through the hills to Saulcy sur Marne. From the warmth of my car, I watched as the chill of the autumn air forced the mist into a silky blanket that rose and fell slightly as the earth breathed into life. And so the milky green of the fields contrasted nicely with the darker green of the background hills...making North Carolina seem all the closer as Shaina Twain and I sang along to her older songs.
Then I arrived at Forexpo for my first day of teaching English to the tree-guys.. though isn't that what I've been doing for the last 7 years? hmm.... Needless to say, it all felt very natural and pleasant.. and especially as I got a free lunch in a 'roadside cafe French style'.. that is, and alongside a bunch of truckers, I tucked first into 'crudities/salad' and then duck/potatoes and the a sweet and juicy creme caramel!
Tonight, I've crashed - as my man in Brussels doing 'European Commission stuff' :-) Alena helped the process as she distracted me from (saved me from) Star Academy and so we chatted - ooh - for 'around an hour' Lovely, lovely, lovely. Google representatives - if you are reading this now, give her that job! She'll save your socks 'cos she's ace!!!
So, with my fingers crossed for Alena, I'll end my noting ZG is now 'APY to know that retirement is around the corner. What am I talking about? My Honda - with her new APY 67 registration plate - is being replaced next Thursday by her friend, our new shiny Voltswagen Golf!!!
Vavavavavoom... so later autumnal or wintery scenes will be accompanied by the quiet hum of heaters and the great knowledge that there are airbags and fancy tyre-stopping technology between me and any road-skidding accident. Phew!
Bye for now,
Robyn
The day began early as I drove south through the hills to Saulcy sur Marne. From the warmth of my car, I watched as the chill of the autumn air forced the mist into a silky blanket that rose and fell slightly as the earth breathed into life. And so the milky green of the fields contrasted nicely with the darker green of the background hills...making North Carolina seem all the closer as Shaina Twain and I sang along to her older songs.
Then I arrived at Forexpo for my first day of teaching English to the tree-guys.. though isn't that what I've been doing for the last 7 years? hmm.... Needless to say, it all felt very natural and pleasant.. and especially as I got a free lunch in a 'roadside cafe French style'.. that is, and alongside a bunch of truckers, I tucked first into 'crudities/salad' and then duck/potatoes and the a sweet and juicy creme caramel!
Tonight, I've crashed - as my man in Brussels doing 'European Commission stuff' :-) Alena helped the process as she distracted me from (saved me from) Star Academy and so we chatted - ooh - for 'around an hour' Lovely, lovely, lovely. Google representatives - if you are reading this now, give her that job! She'll save your socks 'cos she's ace!!!
So, with my fingers crossed for Alena, I'll end my noting ZG is now 'APY to know that retirement is around the corner. What am I talking about? My Honda - with her new APY 67 registration plate - is being replaced next Thursday by her friend, our new shiny Voltswagen Golf!!!
Vavavavavoom... so later autumnal or wintery scenes will be accompanied by the quiet hum of heaters and the great knowledge that there are airbags and fancy tyre-stopping technology between me and any road-skidding accident. Phew!
Bye for now,
Robyn
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Preparing to Leave
Well, the boxes are almost ready and I'm in the midst of grading my very last papers.... and Ben has aleady moved to Molsheim and is due to begin work tomorrow...
So a change must be in the air!
So I thought this was an excellent time to restart my blogs....and so to descibe our new home in Alsace the best that I can.
Watch this space... here goes!
love,
Robyn
So a change must be in the air!
So I thought this was an excellent time to restart my blogs....and so to descibe our new home in Alsace the best that I can.
Watch this space... here goes!
love,
Robyn
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