Flat Fields, North, South, East and West.

Flat fields looking towards Timmerlah Wood

Timmerlah and the surrounding area is a walkers' paradise.  Whichever way you look the land is flat, and these photos were taken on a walk I make regularly in the evenings, a nice circular walk  around the village with not a hill in sight.   The fields are grass green this year, last year they were filled with wheat and sugar beet, Germany being one of the biggest producers of beet in the EU.  Last year I thought the crop were turnips, that was until my friend, a farmer's wife, put me right.   I must read, "I Spy, Know your Crops and Assorted Vegetables" in German.

Just a short write up tonight, as it has been a busy day, and I will write more tomorrow.  It is very warm here, 24c today with wall to wall sunshine.   A little too warm for me, so I will send some sun now to my wet and windy Wiltshire homeland across the North Sea.

The onion tower of Timmerlah Church set amid the houses.
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Yet more flat fields in Timmerlah.

Looking for Ancestors in the Churchyard.

Timmerlah Church

Last year Mark from Oregon USA contacted me via my blog, searching for his ancestors, one of whom lived in Timmerlah in the early 1800's.  I took many photos of the church, obviously a place where his great, great grandfather would have visited, or in which he might have been baptised or married.  No trace of his name was found in the Timmerlah church records, but with the help of a German researcher, he eventually traced his relative via the central Braunschweig church records, now kept in Wolfenbuettel.

Mark is now trying to trace the wives of his relatives, and has sent me a list of names.  This morning I wandered among the headstones and could only find one name from the list.   The church was busy, as a comfirmation service was in progress, and I could hear the singing while searching among the headstones.

Timmerlah church was built ca. 1799 and has an onion shaped tower.  I like the colourful clock face. 

The photo below shows the maypole at the entrance to Church Street in Timmerlah.  I did not notice this last year, but it could be new.  It is a traditional feature of German villages and towns, and contains the name plaques of all the local businesses.  (I think this is what it is, but I will check my facts.) 

It is not so hot today, so comfortable for a good walk this afternoon.  I will retrace my haunts from last year, and hopefully walk to the Saltzgitter Mittelland Canal, a walk of around 4 miles return. This part of the Lower Saxony countryside is very flat, so excellent for walking.

Maypole with the shields of Timmerlah businesses.

New German Folk Songs

Folk songs for four voices and "Aennchen vonTharau."

We are learning some new folk songs at choir, in four parts for sopranos, altos, bass and tenors.   I had to sing at sight and read the German at the same time, so it was quite a challenge.  Of course, once I know the tune, it all becomes much easier.   Everytime a choir member has a birthday or some special anniversary, the choir sings to them their favourite song.   On Thursday they sat me down in front of the singers and sang "Little Ann from Tharau" to me, my favourite German folk song.  I sang along with them, as I know the chorus off  by heart.  I shed one little tear, for when I left last October, as a goodbye, exactly the same thing had happened, although on that occasion I cried bucketsful!  

The songs and music are delightful, and of course sound so typically German.  Apart from the language, it is difficult to put a finger on what makes the music sound German, but of course, what makes our folksongs sound so English? 

Yesterday I went into town and bought some flip flops for easy wearing in the flat.  My suitcase was crammed full of esentials and near the 20kg limit, and I had no space for extras.  The city was busy and I visited my second home, "Graff" the big bookshop, where I can sit in a corner and read and ponder the meaning of life, if it has one!  Today is quiet, as I want to watch the WTA Tennis from Stuttgart this afternoon.  I'll pop out for some shopping later, as on Sunday the shops are closed.   This evening I'll watch a programme about the German ballet.   I watch the news channels too, particularly the ones with a continuous stream of subtitles.  It is a good way to learn new vocabulary.

It is 25c here today, so I shall find some time to sit on the sun terrace and an enjoy the warmth.

From my window I have a good view of the mainline from Braunschweig to Hannover, and for connections to wider Germany, Switzerland, France, Poland and countries in the East.  The above photo shows a Regional double-decker train heading towards Hannover.  I like riding on the top deck, as the view of the countryside is interesting.  The German rail network is very modern, and what a pity we cannot have double-deckers in GB.  Much of our infrastructure is old, many stations are listed buildings and our bridges are too low.  A second deck turns a four carriage train into eight carriages, a neat way of solving overcrowding.

Singing near the Harz Mountains.

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The little regional train from Braunschweig heads towards the town of Wolfenbuettel.

It is a lovely, warm day today with temperatures of 25c to 30c forecast for the weekend, and I'm glad I've jumped countries!    The photo above shows the view from my window this morning with a clear view of the "Brocken" on the skyline, and of Zephyrus turning away to the left.  I sang with the choir last night, and met my old friends, drank a beer, and had a lovely time singing folksongs.

The "Brocken" is the highest peak of the Harz mountain range and also the highest peak in Northern Germany.   It is located near Schierke in the state of Saxony-Anhalt between the rivers Weser and Elbe. Although its altitude of 1,141 metres (3,743 ft) is below alpine dimensions, its microclimate resembles that of mountains of about 2,000 m (6,600 ft).  The peak above the tree line tends to be  snow covered from September to May, and mists and fogs shroud it for up to 300 days a year. The mean annual temperature is only 2.9c.  It is the easternmost mountain in Northern Germany.

The "Brocken" has always played a role in German legends, and has been connected with witches and devils. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe took up the legends in his play "Faust."  The "Brocken Spectre" is a common phenomenon on the misty mountain, where a climber's shadow cast upon fog, creates eerie optical effects.  

Today the "Brocken" is part of the Harz National Park, and a narrow gauge steam railway takes visitors  to the summit.   FM-radio and television broadcasting make use of the summit, and the old TV tower, the "Sender Brocken," is now used as an hotel and restaurant.  It also has an observation deck, open to all tourists.  I have walked here, and it is breathtakingly beautiful.

Timmerlah and the Weserstrasse Tram Terminal.

I live on the top floor of the house to the left, with the dark brown roof, surrounded by fields, and in the distance, about a mile away, is a windpark.  The building of windparks in the UK is a somewhat contentious issue, but here I live side by side with the mills, without any problems.  In fact they are good for telling me how strong the wind is blowing, and one "Zythrus," has become an old friend on the hill.  He is not in this picture, but he will be merrily turning away somewhere to the left. 

I cannot report on "Midsummer's Night Dream" because at the last moment I chickened out, put my feet up, made tea and stayed home.  Since I landed in Hannover last Sunday, my hectic social life has made me weary, and last night became an "Early summer's Night In."  I need a rest!  This morning I walked 1.25 miles to Weststadt and did some more food shopping, and looked for some flip flops to wear around the flat, but found none I liked.  I will have to go into the city tomorrow for a good look around.   I walked past Weserstrasse tram terminal where the trams change direction on a looped track.  The photos below show two of the trams, the red one standing below is at the Weserstrasse stop where I catch a tram into the city and Gliesmarode.  I sing with the choir tonight, and I'm so looking forward to meeting everyone again.

Braunschweig  has an inexpensive and extensive 35 km electric tram system.  First opened in 1897, it has been modernized,  including a 3.2 km extension in 2007.   The system is unique as the only European railway or tram system to use the 1100 mm gauge, this being supplemented in stages with a 1435 mm third rail, to allow future connections to the main railway network.

Tram lines:
M1: Wenden – Stöckheim M2: Siegfriedviertel – Heidberg M3: Volkmarode – Weststadt Weserstraße M4: Radeklint – Helmstedter Straße M5: Hauptbahnhof – Broitzem

Comings and goings at Saalestrasse tram stop.

Trams at the Weserstrasse terminal, with the Broitzem communications tower in the background

Nobert has come home!

Brian, Mr Edward Bear and Norbert enjoy a hug!

We had a big reunion yesterday, and a bit of sillyness, when I visited J&G in Querum to collect Norbert, who had spent the winter with his German cousin.  I took little One Eyed Brian with me, and we all meet on the doorstep for an emotional reunion after six months apart.   We chatted and chatted about all the news since I left last October and we all had a good time.   J&G each have a 3G Kindle, and it was interesting to find out what the gadgets can do.  I want one!  Mind you, I have enough gadgets already.  Janet cooked a delicious meal of salmon with pasta and salad, and after a wonderful afternoon and evening I arrived home around 9.20pm.  

The photo left, shows One Eyed Brian, with Mr Edward Bear and with Norbert (named after an European freight company) sitting on his shoulder.  Norbert resides in Timmerlah in the summer months.   I promise, that this blog will get a little more serious once all the initial reunions are out of the way.   Tonight I am seeing a performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," (performed in English) which I am seeing with friends in a small theatre in Braunschweig.

This baby llama was born to Simon (Janet's son) and his wife's llama last week.  It arrived completely unexpectedly, as the woolliness of its mother, meant that no one could see that she was pregnant.  Stella arrived home to find to find the baby half born, and had to help its mother give birth.  The llamas live on a smallholding in Brandenburg, near Berlin. 

A busy Monday, a quieter but wet Tuesday.

My view  on a wet day towards the "Brocken" and Zephyrus (left) on the hill.

Monday was busy!  I visited the two English groups, shed a tear or two at the reunion with friends, drank a drop of Monika's wine and ate humbugs.   It was good to be in my second home again.  The tram is now running again from Weserstrasse near Timmerlah,  to Bahnhof Gliesmarode, so my ride to the classes on a Monday morning is now so easy.  It has taken two years to build a new bridge, one firm went bust in the middle of building, which delayed its completion,  and last year I had to change from the tram to a bus to do the last part of the journey, which avoided the bridge.   Now I can do the trip in one hop.

At 2pm I travelled into the city, where I purchased my new Senioren-Monatskarte for 48.50 Euros, (no free travel here for oldies) from a  friendly lady in the ticket kiosk.   She remembered me from last year, and now I can ride around the city, especially on the trams, at will 

Last night was a large beer and pizza evening with friends from the English groups in "Paco Pizzeria"  near the Botanical Gardens.  I ate too much pizza, but drank enough beer, and came home needing to sleep.   I am now fasting until this afternoon, (water only) when I visit Janet and Geunter in Querum, where I shall break my very temporary fast, and eat some of her delicious homemade Kuchen, I hope! 

The day started wet, but is now much brighter, and a watery sun is trying to emerge from the cloud.  Some of you will remember Zephyrus, (the Greek god of the west wind)  the active windmill on the hill that does more work than the rest put together.   Well he is still turning and turning on his hilltop, amongst his lazier pals in the Windpark.  Tomorrow we expect warm sunshine and temperatures of 20 to 25c.  Yippeeeee!  Warmth at last.

The Flat

The big lounge.

For those of you who have not seen my flat, before, here it is.  It is rather on the large side for me, but I have arranged the furniture to form a cosy corner around the television. There are windows on three sides, and when the sun shines, it is beautifully bright and cheerful.  The electronically operated blinds can control the amout of light and sun that gets into the room, and on a hot day, I can completely block out the sun.  I have a desk in the corner for my music, and I prefer to use the table for my new laptop.  Life here is comfortable and good.

The lounge with my new laptop.

The large lounge with my laptop and a nice cup of tea on the table.  I don't feel that I have been away for six months, it seems only yesterday that I was last here waiting for the Mayor of Bath and his delegation to arrive.   I couldn't miss that chance to dine with the mayors of both cities in all the best places in Braunschwieg.

Kitchen

I get lost in this kitchen as it is so big, and it's  a long walk from here back to the lounge carrying a cuppa and a hot meal. 

Comfy bed.

Here's the bedroom with a nice large bed in which to spread out.  There is a second bedroom this size, in which my son stayed last year.  I've two friends visiting this year, and they can sleep in style.

The view below is from the lounge window towards Weserstrasse.  I walk this way in the mornings along a path, weather permitting, as it is only a mile to the tram stop for the 12 minute trip into the city, and I get some regular exercise everyday.   Braunschweig has an excellent tram system, the trams run every 10 minutes from this stop and it makes travelling about so easy.  I can, of course, catch a bus from outside my flat and travel to the tram stop without walking very far.  I save that for lazy, hot days.  Someone on the bus told me today that this Wednesday 25c is predicted.  Nice than in the UK at the moment.

The view from my window towards Weserstrasse tram stop.

I Arrived Late but Safely.

Flybe "Bombadier" with wings and engines and the remains of a hailstorm.

On Saturday I wrote about what should happen on my journey, well, forget all that, it all changed on the day!  At the last minute I took a taxi to Southampton.  It cost, but was door to door, and saved me lugging a really heavy suitcase on and off trains and buses.  That meant I arrived far too early at the airport, and had to twiddle my thumbs for three hours.  The plane should have taken off at 13.50, but suddenly we heard the familiar, "Ding Dong, we are sorry to announce that flight BE 1725 to Hannover is delayed for technical reasons.  A further announcement will be made at 14.15."   

At 14. 25 we eventually boarded and took off at 14.40, almost an hour late.  Anyway, all went well apart from having to dodge thunderstorms and with delays with air traffic control over Gatwick because of the weather.  After a bumpy flight we landed in Hannover at 17.20 only 40 minutes late, which did not please my taxi driver, who had been hanging around, waiting to drive me to my door in Timmerlah.

All is well, that flat is as if I never left last October, completely home from home.  I have a nice new widescreen tv, and the German seems competely normal.  I visit the two English groups today, I  must buy some food, and properly organise my flat, but I slept like a log last night, so feel ready to face the Braunschweig world!

Sunday's Schedule.

On Sunday April 22nd. this is what should happen:

08.50  GMT Taxi from Devizes to Trowbridge station.

09.45  GMT Train to Southampton Airport.
13.50   GMT Plane leaves for Hannover.
16.40   CET  Plane arrives at Hannover.
17.00   CET  Taxi driver picks me up in arrivals, and takes me to my door in Timmerlah for around 17.45.
18.00  CET  Make a cup of tea.
18.15   CET  Make another large cup of tea.
18.30  CET  Make yet another cuppa and put feet up!

Byeeeeee, the next blog entry on Monday 23rd. comes from my flat in Timmerlah.

A Last Walk in Avebury with Friends.

A curious llama and his horse and chicken companions watch us pass by. 

Today's walk took us from Clatford Bottom, up over the Marlborough Downs to the Ridgeway and down to Avebury.  We passed a curious llama, although most of us were unsure if he was alive, he stood stock still and never fluttered an eyelid while we walked by.  We made a slight diversion and visited the "The Devil’s Den" dolmen at Clatford Bottom on Fyfield Down near Marlborough.

Vicki peering through The Devil's Den.

This Neolithic burial chamber, once thought to be a long barrow, was described in 1723 by William Stukeley who first recorded it.   The structure comprises of three massive sarsen stones arranged similarly to that of a Welsh ‘Cromlech’ and finished with a massive sarsen capstone. The name "Devil's Den" is believed to have originated from the word "Dillion" meaning a boundary mound.

The structure was rescued from imminent collapse in 1921 by archaeologist A.D. Passmore. Restoration work was undertaken to shore up the dolmen by incorporating a concrete support to one side, and engraved with the year of its salvation - 1921.

Fyfield Down and Sarsen Stones.

Situated on a high plateau of chalk grassland, Fyfield Down displays the best collection of sarsen stones in Britain. Sarsen stones are large boulders of siliceous sandstone that were transported to the area through glacial action during the ice age. Ancient peoples used these stones for building purposes and today they support rare lichen and moss communities.  The site is internationally important for its archaeological interest and is part of a World Heritage Site. 

Another consignment of "Old Speckled Hen" beer is delivered to "The Red Lion"

As we waited for the Marlborough bus, a welcome sight, in the shape of a beer delivery van arrived at the pub!  We walked a 4.5 mile circular walk, and returned to the pub, knowing that the beer would be flowing.  Bob enjoyed his pint, and Joyce didn't have a pudding!  I had a Devon Tickler cheesy jacket potato topped with bacon and with a side salad, and half a pint of beer of course!

I continue to Pack



Norbert on one of his skiing trips.

Yesterday I did some last minute shopping and bought two big packs of teabags.  It's impossible to buy strong English teabags in Germany, so I'm having to take four months supply with me + a packet of 240 for a friend.  If I were younger, I would set up my own English Teabag Shop in Braunschweig, and also sell other prized English foods that are also impossible to buy there.  I also purchased some Euros, which I bought at a favourable exchange rate, so all is going well.  The taxi to Trowbridge railway station is booked for Sunday at 8.50am,  so all is set for, I hope, an easy journey, but fingers crossed.  I should arrive at my flat in Timmerlah at around 8pm.   Right, back to neurotic packing and unpacking!

"Norbert the Bold"

Norbert in his winter outfit.

For those of you who have never met Norbert, here he is, my blue rabbit travelling companion who accompanies me on my adventures in Germany.   Last year, however, he decided to stay in Braunschweig for the winter  with his dear friend Mr Edward Bear.  During the cold weather, his auntie Janet  knitted him a woolly hat and jumper, so here he is seen in his posh winter gear, complete with a red button on top, (or is that a ladybird for good luck?)  At night he sleeps on the sofa with Mr Edward, they are just good friends, well I think so!

Norbert really prefers the warmth, and the photo below shows him on a summer day in Devizes, complete with sunglasses.   Norbert has a sad history, for in 1986 he was found abandoned in the gutter.   My little son Robert saw him and shouted, "Mummy, mummy, there's a blue rabbit in the gutter."   "A blue rabbit, are we dreaming?"   No, we promptly rescued him, and just at that moment a "Norbert Dentressangle" pantechnicon was passing by.   So,  that's how he got his name, named after an European freight company!

We took him home, washed him in the washing machine, and he has been spotless ever since.  He was once wrapped in silverfoil, and packed in a pie dish to be cooked as rabbit pie by my supposed pub friends!  Fortunately I rescued him from a fate worse than death!

Norbert in sunglasses.

The Travelling Woman's Survival Kit!

The "Survival Kit" consists of  from top left:  Headache pills, inhaler in case I get short of breath on the plane, chocolate bars for energy, mobile phone to keep me in contact with earth, my passport to prove that I'm English, euros for drinks, my "just in case I feel like reading" book, which I won't read, but will take nevertheless, the train ticket from Trowbridge to Southampton Airport and a pair of glasses to find all the above!  Packing continues this week in earnest, and as I pack my good clothes, I shall be forced to wear rags towards the end of the week. 

How many Scarves to Take? That is the Question!

This is not a second-hand stall, it is my packing so far!

It is always a good idea to stick to one set of colours for a wardrobe of clothes, because at least that way, everything matches.   However I have a penchant for scarves, and have almost enough to circle the globe, (no not really) but I have a wide selection.  At the moment four of my favourites will accompany me to Braunschweig, although I have another week of dithering to go, before I make up my mind.  At the moment I've packed red spotty,  pretty blue butterfly, black/white daisy and grey lace bobbly.  But............ I like pale blue flowers with lace and also cream with red stripes.  Maybe I should select them in the dark, and at random, and be satisfied with my choice.  No that won't work.  I could take none at all, and buy ten more in Braunschweig.     Now there's a thought!

Braunschweig Lion here I come!

This blog commenced today, Sunday 15th April, a week before I fly from Southampton to Hannover to spend the summer months in Braunschweig and Timmerlah. Please watch this space for news of neurotic suitcase packing and unpacking, which unfortunately began last week and will continue until I have packed virtually everything, including the kitchen sink.  Last year I had too much, and I expect this year I will have too much again!    Oh well, "a woman's packing is never done."