Der Herbst ist da - wir wollen aber kein Regenwetter: Life in Germany cont/d

[finknottle]

Too lazy to scroll through the other long one.

Here for Obst und Blaetter - guess what d came home from school singing yesterday?

All welcome, Austria & Switzerland & any German-speaking Leute too

I have tried the local Swiss wine, Taipo. (not much of a surprise there)

We met a colleague of DH's in the posh supermarket yesterday. She had just asked for 400g smoked ham, and said that they would like a Swiss ham. She paid CHF 40 (about 30euros) and looked a bit like this

The Swiss specialities tend to be very expensive.

I have tried Pfifferlinge (hwat are they called in English). I had them yesterday with fresh pasta, absolutely delicious.

at price of ham.

Pfifferlinge are very tasty, aren't they. No idea what they are in English.

Well, I've had 4 pieces of the Milka caramal bar and it is fab but sooooo sweet and sickly that I really don't think I can eat any more which is most unlike me

Not bad day here - managed to get all our warm walking clothes/winter hats scarves etc cleaned ready for the real winter to start. Had lovely family walk in woods where dog tried to convince us he had not played with leaves for weeks (more like hours) and desperately needed us to kick some in the air .

Have also peeked in the garden discovered my clematis is dead so right there with you fink (lol at hiding from neighbours). Don't understand it though - can't have planted the roots deep enough I suppose. And Winter Jasmin has flowered?? (Supposed to flower in January)

Now starting to stress about trip to UK - DS has decided he doesn't like the travel cot - he woke after 50m and screamed blue murder. Have realised it will cost 70Eur to park the car at the airport (!!!) or 55 at the off-site place. Outrageous for 3 days. So we are planning to S-bahn it. Are we mad? DS, pushchair and two cases plus hand luggage. Not sure. Plus still have not worked out how to take enough water with us to make DSs bed-time bottle on the plane. Arrgggggggggggghhh - meltdown approaching.

Gabster
Are you very far from the airport? Could your DH drop the two of you and luggage off then nip home with the car?

I would go for the parking at the airport, tbh. Yes, extortionate but travelling with a baby is a nightmare and you will need your nerves.

Or a airport transfer?

As to the water, you can buy bottled water once you get through customs. As far as I know you can make up a bottle and take it with you on the plane. I think that you have to open it and taste it so that the security guards see that you are not planning on bombmaking in the loos I would take an extra bottle to be on the safe side, I had a lid come off on a plane and most of the milk was spilt down my jeans.

There are two of you to one baby, you will manage. I flew with DD 2.5yo and DS 4mths. I have forgotten most of what happened, or I am surpressing the memory. What do you think DrG?

I'd vote for the car too or a taxi or airport mini bus if you can get one. The days of travelling lightly are over eh! I often think back on the day I left home with 2 carry suitcases (no wheels even) and that was me leaving for good to live in France!

Wish I could drive it all the way to north England (Ernest you must like driving!) just so I could bring large amounts of all the stuff I miss back with me instead of cramming it all into one extra suitcase. Christmas in UK is cancelled, we will have to get estive here in Hannover.

H sent off his job application to Portland last night and this week he's sending one to Oxford. When does your h finish his job TheGabster?

I will be crossing my fingers for you, Admylin. Would you be happy with the job in Oxford?

Depends what the salary is like! Although we already spoke about the possibility of us living in the Lake District and I would be able to work there and know that the dc were getting a very good education. H said he would drive up at weekends or every other weekend. Would be fine by me. I think Oxford would be expensive to live in.

Admylin, it's good that your h isn't saying how brilliant his new job is and you can all stay in Hannover for evvvvvah!
Fry-up was v good I honestly can't remember the last time h cooked, apart from the evil eggs which he cooks for himself sometimes. Stung by the lack of enthusiasm for them, he actually cooked scrambled eggs without his usual overload of nearly raw garlic, onions, salami & tabasco.
I had bacon, mushrooms, scrambled eggs & coffee. 4 things which go very well together - and not only did I eat a meal I hadn't cooked myself (that alone is worthy of a post on MN), I left the table with my coffee mug, thanked h for the lovely breakfast and beetled back to my study to read the Observer online. No mention of clearing up. Returned later to find dishwasher emptied and refilled, worktops, table and cooker wiped down. He obviously took my silent hint

Taipo, every Weinstube here has Leberknödel, I have never been able to even taste them.
Someone tell me to push off, haven't even had a shower yet, have 4 million things to do today and all I've managed so far is to yawn incessantly and read the Strictly Come Dancing thread

Most important thing is getting back to the UK though, isn't it? Crossing all crossable bits for you.
Oxford & surrounds madly pricey. I'd go for the live where you want thing too, tbh. Reckon you're owed

Don't worry finknottle, it's early still! Yesterday when the neighbour rang the doorbell at 3pm to ask if we wanted to go out for a walk with the dog we were all still in pyjamas but I had done the ironing and made soup. We got dressed quickly and went out though.

Hey MMe - yes, unfortunately, too far from airport for relay, and taxi would be same as parking. Bum. Can I make formula with bottled water? I thought it was a nono? I know they say you have to use it within an hour of making it so can't take it ready made either. I suppose I might be able to get some boiling water on the plane. Will have to see.

Admylin - DHs redundancy not official yet - have to wait 2 weeks to see if he got on the scheme. Keep your fingers crossed. But Portland eh? Could be nice. Oxford --- oooooh, lovely. But is expensive like you say. We are looking at Cambridge so maybe we will meet again ....

If it was me think would go for lakedistrict and leave DH to commute/come home weekends. Good plan.

Fink - your fry-up sounds like it was fab. V. pleased you have your man in order. Mine can cook, and has actually been v. helpful lately - but only even cooks curry or spicy food so not so good for me at the mo, and also can't really give it to DS .

Right, DS is still asleep (there is a God) so am going to try and finish some lists for things to pack at the weekend. Having v. busy day but am accomplishing things so am feeling really positive. Makes such a difference when you have something to show for all the mad running around!

Chin chin

Admylin, are that faculty positions he is applying for? At least that would mean it's more long term.
Portland is really a fab city. Great public transport, nice neighbourhoods with their own characters, great (and quite cheap) restaurants, wonderful farmers' markets, micro breweries with very good beer, diverse and busy music scene, the surrounding area is nice. Pacific coast an hour away, the Cascades with skiing (downhill and cross country) and hiking under an hour by car. Wine, fruit and vegetable growing along the Willamette. There are lots of expats at both PSU and OHSU. I didn't have children then but I flatted with a teacher and it seems there are some decent schools.

I'm getting all sentimental now, doesn't help that it's a stormy, wet, grey Scottish late autumn day outside.

TheGabster
How old is your DS again? Could you get the little bottles/cartons of ready made milk for the plane?

See now I'm getting all sentimental as a stormy wet and grey scottish autumn is what I love. When you grow up with rain all the time you either love it or hate it and I love it, it means home for me! Still, Portland sounds OK too! H is a biologist in neurological research area so I think the job is in one of the hospitals but it's 5 years so worth a try.

TheGabster, do you know the area already? Cambridge/Oxford I mean? We'd probably end up in a tiny flat/house which isn't bad but we have been enjoying this big roomy flat in Hannover. Would be hard to afford somewhere this size in that area.

Admylin, we lived in Oxford for 5 years but it was more than 10 years ago now so I don't know how affordable it is now. We were in Headington which is nice and cheaper than some areas. It was before dc so I also don't know anything about schools etc but I think Oxford would be a great place to grow up.

Actually I never really got to know the city very well as most of that time I was working in London and all my social life (those were the days!) was based around going out in London after work.

Portland sounds nice too.

Admylin - Portland sounds FAB!!!

I know some of the surrounding and Cambridgeshire areas as grew up in Essex (shamed to admit but true). But if you want to check it out look at this page. Give you an idea of what you could afford and loads of links to get an idea of the areas.

Love the bits north of Cambridge, Norfolk and the Fens. Really desolate countryside, but think we are going to end up living in the Caravan for a while if DH doesn't get the redundancy package! At least I can go back into London and temp though. Now that's reminded me - should have a look to see what the going temp rate is these days.

Hey Mme - good thought, but nearly all the cartons and bottles I have found are for 1yr plus (DS is 9mo tomorrow). Have found some "Gutten Nacht" milk for 6mo+ but have to try it on him first. We have nearly weaned him off the Anti Reflux milk but not quite and am worried the one day we don't want projectile vomitting i.e. at the airport ....

Do you reckon they would make me open a carton though? It is 200mls and the max you are supposed to take is 100mls. Ooooh, decisions decisions!

Gabster
You should email the airline/airport to get their advice on the cartons. I suspect that they have special provisions for babies.

You might be able to get the reflux milk through your doc as a ready made milk. I know that when I had the dcs you could get the milk, even the pre nahrung, in little bottles. Worth asking your pharmacist. They don't sell them to the general public but you might get them if your doc gave you a prescription.

Admylin
Portland sounds great, but it is awful far away from home.

TheGabster, if you're allowed why don't you just measure the milk powder into a bottle and get them to make it up on board as they have hot water etc and microwaves - he doesn't need sterile water anymore so that should be OK. What does he have apart from milk usually? There should be stuff to buy too once through passport control.
I always travelled with my 2 alone and it was hell, especially the time we had a connecting flight to catch and the plane was right at the other end of where we landed at Shipol airport and I had one dc tucked under one arm, a heavy bag over my shoulder and I just pulled the other dc along trying to run. We made it on last but it was awful. I tended to always have plenty of bribes with me like lollypops and chews and stuff they didn't usually get to pacify them! Know that's no help to you - what time do you land?

Gabster
Are you taking a buggy with you? You can take it right up to the plane with you.

I hated flying alone with the DC. Absolute nightmare.

I am looking for a new hoover at the moment, don't have a clue what to get as I have never bought a hoover before. When we moved into our first flat 15 years ago, DH's aunt gave us a really cheapy hoover. It just gave up the ghost this weekend (not that it was overworked, tbh, I am not the worlds greatest hausfrau)

That's a good website TheGabster. Quite fancy Oxford now!

I've had a Siemens for years mmelindt and it's still going strong. Good thing is you can order parts online, the tube split once so I just ordered a new tube and saved a fortune as I would have had to buy a new hoover otherwise.

Wow this thread moves quickly. I decided to resist turning the computer on for a week so I could catch up on all the jobs I´ve been putting off for so long.

We were in Berlin at the weekend. Dh was on a course, so I took the children to the zoo. We were there for 5 hours and I was completely knackered by the end of it - I must start doing a bit more exercise.

TheGabster - you can take more than 100ml if it´s for babies. A friend used to measure the powder into the bottle and then just add bottled water when she needed it.

admylin - I think I´d be tearing my hair out if I was married to your dh, but I have to say both Oxford and Portland sound good.

We´ll be staying in Germany for Christmas which I really enjoy. It´s just a shame that we have to spend some of it with in laws (well mil to be precise).

Anyone else going out later for the Martinsumzug. The dc are really excited, but it´s really blowing a gale here at the moment, so I don´t think we´ll be going for too long.

Oh forgot to say we´ve also got a Siemens and it´s really good.

I am so glad that my 2 dc are too old to be invited to go on lantern walks! I always joined in when they were at Kindergarten and made cool homemade lanterns etc but my 2 never liked it and just kept saying 'mum, Germans are mad this is stupid' maybe the same as a German family might say what a crazy tradition when talking about bonfire night! I tried to explain it to my neighbours and they just sort of looked at me with raised eyebrows.

We went to the zoo 3 times in Berlin. Did you see the famous Knut? we went to see him with his tierpfleger when he was a baby. So cute (both of them) but the Tierpfleger sadly died recently. The zoo in Hannover is meant to be great but costs a fortune to get in. Alot of people have year tickets for around 100 euro or more but I don't think it's worth it for my 2.

Yes we managed to see Knut, he was swimming when we got there. We went to Hannover zoo last year in December, which was great as they had lots of winter activites tobanning. ice skating etc. Mind you we didn´t do any of those things, but with older children it could be fun.