Schenk ein den Wein - as autumn comes to Germany and Austria

[LinzerTorte]

Der Nebel steigt, es fällt das Laub;
schenk ein den Wein, den holden!
Wir wollen uns den grauen Tag
vergolden, ja vergolden!

A thread for all those living in Germany and Austria, and anyone else who would like to chat.

Always good to have an excuse to open some , and this poem seemed quite appropriate!

Hi, can anyone help me? I need to use double cream in a recipe tonight and can't find it in the German shops. Do they have double cream at all over here? If not, do they have an alternative?

Thanks in advance for your help!! :)

P.S. Sorry to gatecrash the thread!!

Hi Bavarianlass, no need to apologise - you'd be welcome to join us.

I vaguely remember having the double cream discussion before but I can't remember what the answer was; hopefully someone in Germany will be along soon. Here in Austria, I would use Schlagobers (but I think that's an Austrian product, or at least an Austrian term), crème fraiche or even yogurt if I just needed a couple of tablespoons.

Thanks for answering LinzerTorte , I would for a savoury dish, but it's for a cheesecake, which you make with cream cheese, double cream & caster sugar, so not sure whether it would work? What do you think?

I 'lurk' on this thread, but am older than a lot of you and my children are both at uni in the UK :)

Hmm, have never made cheesecake but Käsekuchen seems to be quite popular so there must be some equivalent... Have just googled a few recipes and Quark seems to be the most common ingredient - maybe replace both the cream cheese and double cream with quark?

We're all ages and stages on this thread, although I don't think anyone else has children at university - do feel free to join in if you like! We'd always thought it would be good if the children decided to go to university in the UK, although with the tuition fees the way they are at the moment, it's looking increasingly unlikely. We're still a way off that stage, however!

Thanks, am off to mix a bit of sugar, quark & cream cheese together as a test to see what happens....

Will let you know! If all else fails, I'll have to make something else - or but a big cake!

I'll be back :)

buy a big cake, even!

Yes, let us know how you get on! I'm craving cheesecake now...

Hi Bavarianlass!! I make cheesecake the same way and use Dr Oetker "creme double" in place of double cream. I buy it from Kaufland. Hope that helps.

V traumatic afternoon - popped round to one of the mums in the village to ask her something and when she opened the door she was sobbing - her twat of a dh has been sleeping with someone else - she had just found out & he "cant decide which woman he wants to stay with"!!! She made the decision easy for him by chucking him out. Their dc are only 6 & 1 - its so sad but I am so angry on her behalf. Dont know her very well so it was an uncomfortable situation for both of us but I hope I was a good ear for her to rant at.

Oh that's great Canella , thanks.

I just looked it up online, so I know what I'm looking for, and I'll go to Edeka & Tengelmanns tomorrow to look for some. Is it relatively easy to get hold of?

What do you use for the base? I have to find something for that too, but think that may be easier!

I almost mentioned having the feeling that there might be something called crème double or double crème, but wasn't sure whether I was imagining it! Never seen it here, though.

Canella How awful about the other mum; such a sad situation, but it sounds like she's made the right decision. I'm sure she was glad to have someone to talk to. One of my friends here separated from her DH after a DV incident a year or so ago but he still seems to spend most of his spare time there (she just doesn't allow him to stay overnight), and I find it quite hard sometimes just to lend a sympathetic ear without getting involved.

No idea abut the double creme Bavarianlass, sometimes Real supermarket has digestives here for the base. Let us know what you end up getting.
So did you manage to get your dc through German schooling in one piece? Westvan has a ds just starting uni but here in germany.

Linzer, did you find a good train connection?

Canella, I bet your neighbour was glad to have someone to talk to. How is school going and homework at the Ganztagschule? Is dd all done when she gets home?

So pleased today, dd said she's going to try the school choir. All her friends go but up to now she's said no. I think it'd be great for her to join in.

Had a stressfull afternoon trying to find shoes for sport and winter for dd. We were in a warehuse type shoe shop (huge), 2 big specialist sport shops, another shoe shop and a Deichmann and we didn't find one pair of winter boots that she liked. In the end we got a pair of Hallenschuhe for sport in a tiny sports shop near our house!

Quick post!! Got to get to bed!

Bavaria - I use some biscuits that come in orange packaging - there a bit like oatcakes but they work well. Have sern them in Kaufland and Netto. Will have a look what they're called the next time I go shopping.

Canella, is that Brandt Hobbits in the orange packet? Never thought of trying those as a cheesecake base. Good idea!

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.de/imgres?imgurl=<a class="break-all" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/411jb-MpFAL.SL500_SL160.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.amazon.de/Brandt-Hobbits-kernig-Pack-Packung/sim/B004EIRL0G/2&usg=__f-JFYtR-rANuVkZpAvHb3XoakbQ=&h=64&w=160&sz=5&hl=de&start=17&sig2=BP7G_67HzwfswUPwhGpFCA&zoom=1&tbnid=nmzZU9JewA9UbM:&tbnh=51&tbnw=128&ei=J1uFTovrDIXOsgaq5LjhAQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbrandt%2Bhobbits%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dde%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D605%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=467&vpy=220&dur=2862&hovh=51&hovw=128&tx=104&ty=41&page=2&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:17"" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/411jb-MpFAL.SL500_SL160.jpg&imgrefurl=www.amazon.de/Brandt-Hobbits-kernig-Pack-Packung/sim/B004EIRL0G/2&usg=__f-JFYtR-rANuVkZpAvHb3XoakbQ=&h=64&w=160&sz=5&hl=de&start=17&sig2=BP7G_67HzwfswUPwhGpFCA&zoom=1&tbnid=nmzZU9JewA9UbM:&tbnh=51&tbnw=128&ei=J1uFTovrDIXOsgaq5LjhAQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbrandt%2Bhobbits%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dde%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D605%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=467&vpy=220&dur=2862&hovh=51&hovw=128&tx=104&ty=41&page=2&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:17" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">These ones? Amazon has everything!

I'd never have thought of looking for biscuits on Amazon! Was at the price until I saw that it was for four packets. Someone asked me on another thread whether we can get Hobbits here, but I'd never heard of them. I did try some Milka (I think) version of hobnobs though, and wasn't impressed. I have a box full of chocolate hobnobs in the cellar!

I find it difficult to find winter boots that both I and the DDs like too, admylin - although there's probably still a better choice than there is in the UK. There's definitely a better choice of shoes; I always used to buy shoes for the DC in the UK as they seem to fit them better, but all I can get for the DDs there now is either black school shoes or glittery pink or white ones, often with heels.

We're still looking into the best way to get to Hannover, as DH thinks that flying might be a much cheaper option. He also thinks we should travel overnight as 10-12 hours on the train would be too long a journey with the DC (I tend to agree) and worked out that it would cost almost ?1000, but I've just checked and only make it ?600 for a Liegewagen plus car. We probably need to decide on dates before we can really start comparing plane and train prices, though. Am seeing my friend this afternoon who took the car train to Hamburg in the summer, so I'll ask her what they thought of it.

Busy day here today, so I really need to be productive this morning. Am teaching English again after school, then have to take DD1 to her dyslexia lesson, rush back before friends arrive this afternoon, and then I'm going out for a meal with two friends this evening.

Linzer, I suppose although ?1000 sounds a lot it's not bad for 5 of you. I still can't get over just spending almost 3000 just for our flight to Dhaka.

Winter shoes or boots are always a problem here too. Dd has just gone into size 38 so in the dc's section there is hardly any choice at that size and alot of the boots had a small heel, not too much but more than dd would like. In the adult section the boots are often too long when she manages to find a flat pair. Ds is in size 41 so again nothing much in the dc section. I just hope teh snow and ice holds off as long as possible so I have tiome to find thems ome shoes. The super mums have already bought the winter shoes and clothes of course.

morning!!

admylin - thats them!! they work really well as a cheesecake base. Weird that you can buy biscuits on amazon! oh I feel your pain about shoes for your dd - girls make life so tricky especially when they need some proper warm winter boots that are not too uncool!!!! I need get dd to try her boots from last year today - really doubt they'll fit. . Its so much easier when they are little - I picked up some for ds2 in Lidl for 12 euros and he was dead happy with them.

Linzer - V jealous of your box of hobnobs. It was something I only rarely bought in the UK but miss it now. Need to make plans for another trip back! wow thats a lot of money to fly to Hamburg - you could get a weeks holiday in a holiday house for less. Enjoy your busy day!

admylin - the ganztagschule seems to be going ok. She is knackered tho every day and is struggling to get up but that also could be her pre-pubescentness starting to kick in!! She gets nearly all her homework done in the Arbeitsstunde - she only seems to have Latin vocab to learn when she comes home. I'm just more excited that she has a locker there so she's not dragging so many books back and forth and because she's done her homework there, then she doesnt need the books at home. The food at lunchtime is the only downside - she is a fussy eater so I'm not sure how much she's eating. Think some days she's just having plain pasta - not so exciting! But it'll get better i'm sure as she gets used to it.

Had ds1's first Elternabend last night - it was really to pick an Elternsprecher (which I obviously wasnt volunteering for - my german is def not good enough) but the class teacher spoke for about 20 mins about what they are doing in class and how it'll move forward. Was interesting as my dd didnt do the first class here so its all new to me. She also spoke to us all individually - just briefly - but she was really happy with ds1. Said she thinks the work is too easy for him at the moment so would be giving him some additional stuff to stop him getting bored. He is one of the oldest in the class so its not a surprise that he can write his letters (which is all they seem to be doing at the moment).

The neighbour who is having the marital problems had already said she would drive to the Elternabend last night and despite all the upset yesterday, she still insisted on driving. She looked so sad but there was another mum in the car and I dont think anyone else knows so we didnt discuss it anymore. Told dh about it last night - we both know them - he was as shocked as I was. I sometimes moan about my dh but feel very blessed that he's not doing that to me. Just cant imagine how i'd cope.

Anyway - need to log off MN and crack on with the housework. Hope you all have a good weekend and a good BH for the ones in Germany. Hopefully meeting up with Silkenladder on Monday - getting our families together on the local mountain for a nice day out!

X posting Admylin - that makes me a half super mum!! never been called that before! I've got winter coats for all of them - just need to get ds1 some boots!

Learn something every day....never knew amazon sells biscuits! I might need to explore and see if I can do an online weelky shop, instead of struggling to get kilos of stuff up the stairs. Don't think it will work, but tis a dream...

admylin - poor you with the boots. Have you tried amazon? (My answer to all shopping problems this morning!). How is dd enjoying hockey? and the choir?

Linzer - sorry no use of how to get anywhere, but I agree that 10-12 hours on a train might be too long. Your day sounds busy, and a well deserved meal at the end - enjoy it! Do they call you a "Native speakerin"? Find it such a funny phrase.

BTW - my colleague was saying that "handy" was now being used for a mobile phone in English too. Is that so? I have not heard it, but then again I am not in much contact with native speakers or speakerins.

canella - I am sure she was grateful to have someone to talk to. And it might be the beginning of a new friendship for her. Silly men, poor children.

5more - Baby h is doing what?!?! he was only born a few weeks ago in my mind. gosh time flies. Hope you are recovering from all the exciting events.

hello bavarianlass !

Teacher situation is progressing. We sent a letter to all parents explaining about the complaints and what they were. Parents have responded and the teacher and head have given an official, written reply. I would also hate to be the teacher, but I am sure she knows that most parents think she is great. I even think it is only the one parent who is complaining. We shall see how it goes, but apparently she was ready to quit last week.

I am off to pick up dd1 - going to the HNO Ambulanz and Kinderarzt to get the all clear for her tonsil operation on Monday. Two nights in hospital ... apparently I get a Klappbett (sp?) which, imagine this, I have to make myself! Had a laugh when I saw that written down on the info sheet. Have they had so many parents complaining about their bed not being made that they had to spell it out? She is a bit nervous, and to be honest I am a little bit too...though not saying anything and acting cool of course.

ooh, not only massive post but a multiple crossings.

I am also nearly a super mum - we got some stuff last weekend. Not all, but getting there!

enjoy the meet up silken and canella.

Have a good weekend all!

admylin Yes, we used to spend that much on just one flight to the USA so I suppose it's a bargain for five, really! Just not sure if we can justify spending that amount unless it's our main summer holiday, though... all this travelling is really starting to add up. Mind you, we do save money by not going on skiing holidays - was talking to a friend yesterday who could only find skiing holidays costing around ?3000 for all five of them! (Although they probably have expensive tastes - I have other friends who do it for far less.)

Canella Hope you enjoy your meet-up with silken and her family. It's a shame you're not a bit closer; you could come over for hobnobs otherwise! (I never used to eat them in the UK either, but have somehow managed to discover them since moving abroad.) I shall lob a few packets your way from Munich airport next month! Good to hear that your DC are getting on well at their new schools.

DD1 has just got her Schularbeitskalender so I've written the dates in the calendar and DH is getting ready to leap into action, although there's not a lot we can do until we know exactly what she's being tested on. I foresee weekends full of revision.

Even homework is quite a struggle at the moment, more so with DD2 than with DD1 as she's just so tired after school. She kept on getting very worked up over her homework yesterday, bursting into tears, etc. (mainly because DD1 had already finished hers and had gone to play next door), so I had to send her up to her room to calm down. I'd arranged for her to go and play with a friend at 3 pm and she still hadn't finished by then, but luckily she'd calmed down by the time she came home and finished her homework off quietly by herself. She did make me laugh while she was shut in her room though, as she kept threatening me with all kinds of things - "I'm going to jump out of the window" (I wasn't worried as we have child locks on them) and "I'm going to fetch you a dead bird!" (I have a phobia).

Another x post, platanos! Hope your DD's operation goes well on Monday and that the appointment goes OK today. Good luck with making the Klappbett too!

No, no, no re handy being used in English - it cannot be! Admittedly the only native speakers I have any regular contact with also live in Austria so I'm not up-to-date on the latest linguistic developments in the UK, but I just can't imagine it. Could understand it if cell (phone) started being used more thanks to the American influence, but why would people suddenly start using handy? Pronounced händy, I take it? Is your colleague British or Austrian?

Yes, I get called both a Native Speaker and a Native Speakerin (can't bring myself to use the latter). The ironic thing is that many of them (e.g. some of those who work in KiGas) aren't. Another term I discovered the other day is "near native speaker", which seems to mean "I can cobble together a few sentences in the language". Was looking at the website of the company that teaches English at our school, which claims to employ only native or near-native speakers. One of the "near native speakers" had written (in rather dodgy English, I must say) that she'd spent a few years living in London so considered herself a near native speaker! I think I choked on whatever I was eating at the time.

Linzer I had to smile while reading about your dd´s threats, especially the one about the dead bird.
Until now I´ve had no trouble with dd, but this week she refused to revise for a Sacharbeit and then came home crying because she couldn´t answer a couple of questions. I really don´t know what had got into her, but I´m hoping it acted as a wake up call and she´ll make more effort in the future.

platanos I hope the operation goes well.

admylin I´d planned to look for winter boots for the dc this week, but then the weather was so hot I just couldn´t face it.

Canella what a nightmare for your friend. It must be hars to think straight when something like that happens.

By the way the recipe for the Quarkbrötchen is:
275g Flour
250g Quark
1 egg
1/2 Päckchen Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional - poppy seeds, sunflower seeds etc. to sprinkle on top.

Mix together and then bake in oven at 200C for 30 mins.

Morning everyone!

Well, I have a perfectly yummy cheesecake sat in the fridge, ready for my guests tonight, thanks to all of you! I went to Edeka this morning and found the Creme Double straight away. Then onto the base and, funnily enough, the best thing I could find were Brandt Hobbits! Have had all the lickers and it tastes as good as one made in the UK. The Creme Double is really good to know about, because I have a tarragon chicken recipe that needs it too and I haven't been able to make it properly since I arrived! :)

I have to say that I've only been a frequent visitor, up until August, when I moved over here. My husband works in Munich and I've been in the UK, waiting patiently for my daughter to finish school, before joining him here. So my children didn't go through the German school system at all, which is why they're both at uni in the UK.

Now that I'm here, I don't ever want to leave. I have lived in Germany for many years before, but always in the north. However, I looooove being able to see the mountains from the village we live in. If I have to have an empty nest, this is a good place to have it, because it means the DC want to come home often!!

Aw so glad you found everything for the cheesecake - think I might have to get the ingerdients myself at the weekend - I really want it after all this chat!

Thought I'd share the recipe too - since Hupa shared hers!

175g melted butter
350g biscuits
Big tub cream cheese (as in not the tiny tub)
2 tubs of Creme Double
8 desert spoons caster sugar

Bash the biscuits up and mix with the melted butter. Put in the bottom of a cake tin and cool for a few hours. Mix the other ingredients together and spoon on top. Decorate with fruit of choice. Easiest cheesecake ever!