Winter is back

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Me, this morning (impressive one-handed photo while riding over cobblestones by Ariane)

Snow fell last night. I tried to talk Ariane into not cycling into work, but she was having nothing of it so we wrapped up warm, gritted our teeth and rode into the snow. There wasn’t any wind and the sun was shining so in the end it was a very pleasant and refreshing run into work. I hadn’t expected to need the gloves and hat again this year. This isn’t supposed to happen with May just around the corner – or is it? Continue reading

Nostalgia

I was up early as usual, but no need to walk to the bakery this Sunday. We have plenty of bread in and we have borrowed a waffle iron for a couple of days – and the kids were very clear about their breakfast wishes. The sun was shining, which was not expected, so I was quite sorry to miss my early-morning walk but made myself busy mixing waffle batter. Continue reading

Rain and Repairs

Saturday. The kids both had friends staying over last night, so that meant a late and copious breakfast after my morning walk to the bakery. Rain had set in for the weekend but at least the hayfever has disappeared. After breakfast, it was time to get some work done – first recycling and then a few odd jobs around the house which could be put off no longer. Continue reading

Americans

Yesterday I woke up with hayfever and wished that it would stop. The fairy godmother must have been listening because my wish came true. I have only the mildest discomfort today – no sneezing and only faintly itchy eyes. I found out that hayfever symptoms recede when it rains for two days non-stop. Continue reading

Cold

I must be going soft. Spring keeps deciding to tease us with a couple of promising days and then a blast of cold grey rain. I even heard on the radio yesterday that it may snow in higher regions. Yesterday I deliberately dawdled in the morning so it would be too late for me to cycle to work. It was raining again and Ariane doesn’t work on Fridays so only will-power was going to get me on that bike. But it didn’t. Continue reading

5 Things

Not much to report today. I left early to drive to Frankfurt. I went to a couple of meetings in the heart of Germany’s financial capital. And then I drove home. I am told that Frankfurt is a lovely city if you really know it. I don’t really know it and I don’t think much of it so far. Continue reading

Ritter Sport

Yesterday the sun was shining. It seemed like a good idea to go for a bit of bike ride with the kids down to the Ritter Sport chocolate factory. There is a cafe there and the cycle path to get there is very pretty – running alongside a winding stream for some of the way. It’s also a good way to separate kids from their electronic devices and get them out in the fresh air – the promise of chocolate at the end of a cycle ride is irresistable. Continue reading