O du wunderschöner Herbst - life in German and Austria thread

[admylin]

It is a wunderschöner Herbst at the moment isn't it. Lovely sunny bright blue sky with a chill in the air. Shame we're stuck in the house, ds has a flu like virus so the balcony is as far as we'll get.

I'll have to have a look at hotel reccomendations on here, if I remember rightly there have been a few threads asking about nice place sto stay. It's finding child friendly places really - and the fact that I don't fancy landing at Heathrow, fussy aren't I!

Haven't even started searching yet, have managed to get the dc's rooms sorted and am now getting coffee and turning the heating up - it's freezing.

hi - we´re also thinking of going away after Christmas, but still can´t decide where. I´ve spent hours on the internet and just can´t make a decision. Dh quite fancied a few days in New York and if it was just the 2 of us I´d go for it, but with the dc think it would be a nightmare for such a short trip.

bananas - I´d definitely go back to the garage and see what they say.
My summer trims don´t fit my winter tyres and so the garage were going to be helpful and order me some for 600 euros. I soon put a stop to that. I mean they´re covered in dirt the whole time and who cares what they look like, so I just got the cheapest possible.

caneela - hope your feeling better soon and have a good stack of dvds to immerse yourself in.

admylin - Air Berlin fly into Stansted from Hannover, but the Stansted express into London would then be preety expensive for the 4 of you, although you could take the coach instead.
Holiday Inn express now have a few hotels in London which are really fine of you´re just after a base rather than a luxury hotel experience.

Thanks, will look at those hotels too Hupa. All I really need is a hotel right next to a big shopping cntre or shopping street!

We also thought about going to America but the jet lag coming back isn't worth it for a week. Shame about Dubai being too expensive, I quite fancied it and the fact that our baby nephew is there would have been a plus too!

That's one of the reasons why we usually seem to end up holidaying in Austria (or Italy, at a pinch); less hassle than trying to arrange flights, getting to and from the airports and finding a hotel... It would be nice to see somewhere different when the DC are a bit older (I like the idea of the USA too, but the long flight and jet lag also puts me off a bit), but atm Austria seems like the easiest option. DH has been talking about a city break to Copenhagen, though - Legoland probably being the main attraction!

We used to live about 10 minutes' walk from Oxford Street, but I really didn't like shopping there as it was so busy (especially around Christmas time, when you could barely move in the crowds). I like Kensington High Street for shopping; they have a huge Boots where I could spend hours!

My books have finally arrived from Amazon and I have three days to read 630-odd pages. Have the feeling I'm not going to manage it somehow...

Hello everyone

Can I ask a question,,

How long should a child spend on homework,

ds is only in the first year,

dh and I are disagreeing on this

thank you

Cinders - dd was in her first year last year and had about 20 mins Mon - Thur. She didn´t ususally have maths because she finished it in school, but I can´t imagine most children spent longer than 30 mins on homework.
The other class did get more homework and I know a few mums were complaining the dcs were spending up to an hour on homework. hth

It's meant to be 20 to 30 minutes but my two always took longer because they'd start talking or go for drink/loo/snack and then day dream abit too!

How long is your ds taking or getting?

DD2 usually manages to get her homework done in half an hour at the most, but DD1 used to take an hour or more in her first year (mind you, she was - and still is - easily distracted).

DH and I are constantly disagreeing about the amount of work that DC need to do outside school (apart from homework); he's eased up a lot with DD2 (who doesn't need it as much) but still does quite a bit extra with DD1.

morning all! Thanks for the advice on the tyres. I shall be brave and go past the garage after I have gone to see the teacher about dd.

sorry to hear you are ill canella. what a way to end the weekend. Here´s my favourite word of the day- Banause which means philistine. I have just been doing some preparation for my German exam at the end of the month and came across that. I am having a "my german is rubbish day"- do you have that? some days I just don´t get it.

shame that dubai did not work out. I hope you find something else. Can the spaniard in me suggest Canary islands for some warmth? Or is that adding to your headache? Years ago we got a good deal at a Hilton Hotel in London (edgware road I think it was), it sounds expensive but they had a special deal on so might be worth exploring. We also use Ibis and Etap hotels a lot...they are very very basic but are clean. We don´t spend much time in the hotel whenever we go anywhere so that works for us.

linzer...did you get your work done over the weekend? how come you have to read 630 pages in 3 days? are you thinking of joining a book club in vienna? I am really lazy about going out in the evenings. It is such a preparation to get kids sorted that I am knackered by the time the going out time comes...must find more energy.

cinders, both my dds teachers have said homework should take around 30 mins, max 45. If it is any longer then we should go to talk to teacher. Could you ask your dd´s teacher about this?

Off to do some ironing...dh is off to scotland tomorrow, it´s for work, but I am sligthly jealous. Must compile a list of things for him to bring back...

Thank you all

friday is a normally a no homework day
but for some reason he had an awful sheeet

and poor ds was heading towards an hour

dh has written a message in the message book
so will see how it goes this week

Hope everyone has a good day..

Cinders - An hour does seem like a long time, especially if your DS doesn't normally get homework on a Friday (ours do, unfortunately). It will be interesting to see what the teacher writes back.

bananas - yes, I've gone mad and joined not one but two books clubs in Vienna (couldn't decide which one to join so am trying out both!). So, on top of the 630 pages for Thursday (they did say I was welcome to go to the first meeting even if I hadn't read the book, but I'd like to get as far as I can), I then have another 500 plus pages to read for the following Wednesday. I'm thinking it might make more sense to start on next month's books instead!
I'm also very lazy about going out in the evening as am usually ready for bed myself once I've got the DC off, but am missing doing things in English - and now that all three DC are at school and kiga, Vienna in the evenings looks like the only option.
How long will your DH be in Scotland for? I'm always quite happy for DH to go over to the UK for work so that he can bring me back some goodies - otherwise I just get an English magazine or two from the airport!

Yes, I got my work finished on Saturday afternoon (had to postpone meeting friends by 15 minutes so I could finally have some lunch!) so that's more or less out of the way now (it's being proofread atm but I hope I won't have to do much more to it).

Poo my message just disappeared. Still no phone and no connection in sight. I could weep. Hope all ok.

Anyone think it'd be too cheeky to ask our neighbors who we barely know, for their Internet password? I often pick up a wifi signal from them? I daren't ask, but if they asked me, under the circus I'd say yes. What do you think?

I hate Vodaphone and Telekom. It's starting to give me sleepless nights. Anyone know if there's any comeback, any of com or anyone I can complain to?

I have popped into McDonalds for quick free wifi. Nightmare sorting out absolutely everything.

That's a pain ernest. How come the neighbours have a connection but Telekom can't manage to get you connected? About asking for the password, I know in our old flats in Berlin someone who was just going to be staying in a flat for a few months asked at all the doors if he could connect the internet, think the guy downstairs let him.

I wouldn't dare ask to be honest but you could go round and say that you are having trouble with your provider and ask them indirectly for advice, who they are with, how long it took etc...then they might say you can use it and they might give you a tip on how they managed to get connected. They can't have been there that long if you are all in new builds.

Hope you get it sorted soon. CAn you watch TV now atleast? Did you get your Kaution back yet?

We still didn't get the money that work owe dh, we want to go away for Christmas but looks like w've left it too late to get anything affordable. We don't want to go too far (ie India, Bangladesh to dh's family) as it's not worth going for a short stay, too many people to see. Dc aren't fussed about going to UK, think they got fed up last time of getting told off for breathing.

Ernest, I would also just bring up your Internet problems in conversation if you can and hope that they might offer you their password. I know how frustrating it can be, as our connection used to be very temperamental and not being able to get online for one or two mornings was bad enough! I remember being on the verge of going to McDonalds once as I just couldn't get on with my work, but it settled down in the end.

It's a shame your DC don't want to go to the UK, admylin - where were they getting told off and by whom? It must be a pain that you haven't had the money back either; it was quite a lot, wasn't it?

I've been given a reprieve on the book, as I found out yesterday that the meeting probably won't be until next week. So now I've got two long books to read by then and don't know which to start first; I'll probably have to try reading both at the same time. Oh well, it's my own fault for deciding to join two books clubs - at least I have a bit more notice for next month.

I also heard back from the friend of a friend, who's still waiting for her baby but has given me the go-ahead for the translations, so that will keep me busy for most of this morning. DH went to bed early last night complaining of feeling dizzy, but I think I've just heard him get up so hopefully he's OK again today.

Agree it's a pain when the internet goes off for even a few hours and not having it at all a nightmare. I mean the dc need ours every day for school (or I have to check something to make sure we've got it right) like last night dd had to write as many words as she could that could go in the Lüge group. We found loads more online than in the dictionary.

No, it's not UK as such that my dc don't like but they don't se ethe prospect of a holiday being ruined by by dad telling them off (he was realyl bad last time I was there) and being sent outside to eat a buscuit so they don't make crumbs. That sort of thing.

I'm down to looking at a few nights in London now for the Christmas holidays. When do you think the best time would be? I'm thinking the shops will be busy before Christmas but I think everything is open as usual on the 26th or is that still a holiday?

Adymlin

sounds like my dad

ds gets on so well with him
when he come for a visit

but not sooooooo good when we visit them
and ds seems to feel their quiet house

Well ds teacher
wrote

that ds is clever...
we could have less homework.
but she thinks he can do it all

and no mention of how long it should take

well take care all ...

When i was last in the UK over xmas shops were already open on 26th, even though officially a holiday. I hope you find something, it is nice to get away a bit.

Linzer- you brave woman trying to read both at the same time. I hope you enjoy your book clubs. How long has you been here? My dh is away till friday, so not long really, 4 dinners and 3 breakfasts alone with the little ones. For some reason mealtimes are ever so hectic in this house. My DC3 has an ever so magical cup, his drink always spills on the table (when I am out of the room getting something from the kitchen)and he says he did not do it, the cup turned itself over! I find him splashing his hands in it as I return, I need to find an outlet for this...must get brave and do a messy play session in the bathroom at some point.

oh ernest, I do feel for you. I would go round to your neighbours and ask who they are connected to (maybe you could get the same connection?) and explain your problems. And if you feel brave ask them for the password..the worst they can say is "no".

I went back to the garage and the man gave me some wheel caps...for free! Lovely man. So, thanks for encouraging me to go back, I had sort of thought it would not be worth.

What's the Lüge group, admylin? This thread is definitely good preparation for when DD1 starts secondary school! I was talking about secondary schools to a friend yesterday, whose DD goes to a Musikhauptschule in a nearby town, and am now feeling even more confused. Our town has two Gymnasien and something called a neue Mittelschule, but neither of us was too sure what it is (and I think it might be too similar to a Hauptschule for DH's liking). Also discovered that nine years of schooling is compulsory here but Hauptschule is only four years, so one option is to repeat the final year of Hauptschule!

Luckily the DC aren't yet too bothered by my Dad following them round with a dustpan and brush, etc - even my Mum admits he's obsessed. He's got even worse since they moved house, and we're no longer allowed to have drinks anywhere other than in the kitchen!

London would be very busy both before and after Christmas, with everyone doing their Christmas shopping beforehand (when we lived in London, a lot of people would take a day off work to do their Christmas shopping as it was such a nightmare at the weekend) and the sales afterwards, which generally start on the 26th (most places are open on Boxing Day, although I have the feeling that John Lewis stays closed). I would tend to go after Christmas, as it might be slightly less hectic then... although probably not much!

That's great, bananas - it was definitely worth going back to the garage, then!

I've been here seven years now, which is the longest I've spent in one country since leaving home. In many ways Austria does feel like home now and I can't imagine moving back to the UK (although I would have been tempted four or five years ago).

Your DS sounds very like mine - he is always knocking things over and then claiming that it happened "automatically". He loves putting his hands in his cup too... it's a recipe for mess, really.

Yesterday evening DD2 was singing a song that she'd learned in English at school, but instead of a cat, a duck, etc., she was singing "ay cät" and "ay dack" - it really grated! I was trying to tell her about the correct pronunciation and she said yes, she knew and had even put her hand up and told the teacher "Das heißt eigentlich cat"! I was amazed (she's extremely shy normally) but luckily the teacher seemed to take it OK (apparently she thanked her, but then carried on pronouncing it wrong!).

Dd has stopped say ng anything in English lessons! They're all talking about the new Herry Potter film and she just blocks her ears!

Ds has a very nice teacher who is very willing to speak in English to me (none of the other English teachers have ever done that) and she also has 2 native speakers in her class so she teaches correct pronunciation. Think she is an exception though.

The funny thing is, on the CD that goes with their English workbook one of the voices is very Scottish! Sounds lovely, not that the German dc will really notice.

The DC were watching Nina and the Neurons yesterday, which was all about bogies (I'm sure that wouldn't have happened in my day!) - a word the DC hadn't come across before. Nina has a Scottish accent so when DD2 asked me what a bogie was, her pronunciation sounded very Scottish - it was quite funny!

The DC don't seem to notice accents very much though; I only remember them picking up on a Welsh one once on CBeebies (but they didn't realise what it was, despite the fact that my Dad has a Welsh accent - they just thought it sounded funny!).

Linzer, which area of London is best to be near a few of the museums and some decent shops? Notthat I'll get to go in a few museums or art galleries but might manage one atleast if we're near them!

Fish and chips are more important than a museum on the rest of my family's list!

Kensington would be a good option as you've got the V&A, Natural History and Science museums in South Kensington and also Kensington High Street for shopping, which I think I mentioned yesterday. There are quite a few hotels in and around Gloucester Road from what I can remember (there used to be a big Sainsburys in/near Gloucester Road too - will ask DH if it's still there).

We usually stay in the Baker Street/Marylebone area when we go to London, partly because that's where we used to live so we know the area quite well - but also because it's very central, near to Oxford Street and with quite a few tube lines at Baker Street.

I used to know a great fish and chip shop near to Waterloo; can't remember the name of it now, but DH used to rave about the fish there (he finds the fish and chips at my parents' horribly greasy)!

Linzer, you asked and I forgot the latest German lesson. Wort gruppen is really das Wortfeld in some of the other grammar books.

As far as I can understand the teacher has been doing groups of words that mean the same to get creative writing going so he calls them Gruppe. We've had sprechen and Lüge and another I can't remember. They have to make a mind map with all the words you could use instead of sprechen (erzahlen, flüstern, sagen,erwidern etc) and the difficult part are the groups within the groups, can't do them very well yet!

Teacher is trying to get them to stop repeating themselves when writing.

Canella are you better? Tell us what you learned today at your course.

Still no holiday ideas - friend who live sin London told be it could be quite bleak and gloomy over Christmas in London. Looks like we might end up staying put as usual