Big Panic on Thursday Evening!

The view across the fields from my front window, out towards the Brocken.

 

The preparations for my departure are well under way, with most of the essentials packed into my case.  I had a big panic on Thursday evening, when I couldn't find my EHIC, the European health card, that enables me to receive medical treatment in Germany.

 

I searched high and low, went through my case, the PC bag, checked inside all my documents and searched everywhere, and it was not to be found.  I got straight onto the NHS website, contacted the appropriate office, and they will send out a new card this week.  I found out that it is not necessary to carry this card, for as long as I are registered with them, I am entitled to medical treatment in Germany, although I have travel insurance too.

 

For one moment on Thursday I thought the end of the world had come,  but life goes on, with the help of the nice chap on the NHS website.  Thank you, whoever you are.


 

Norbert has his EU English Rabbit Passport at the Ready!

Norbert, my lucky mascot, is getting ready for his 2016 holiday in Timmerlah.

I got a lot sorted this week, and now have enough BP pills to keep me alive throughout the summer months until the end of August.  The asthma will be well controlled too, and luckily Norbert is fortunate that he had his myxomatosis jab many moons ago, and has the forms to prove it, which he keeps with his EU English Rabbit Passport.  Of course he may not be an EU English Rabbit on his return, just one of the unexpected consequences, should we Brits vote to "Come out."  

I have also bought my euros, (Euro in German, where it does not have a plural for some reason,) and have also gathered together some snacks for the journey, just in case I should suffer from a shortage of food whilst surrounded by cafes at the airport, and breakfast on the plane. 

My suitcase is half packed, which means essentials have been thrown in haphazardly, and will need a final sort out on the last weekend before I travel.  When all the nice clothes have been packed, I shall be down to wearing "shabby chic" for that last few days, which means that when I go shopping, I shall have to wear in a spring mackintosh to hide the tatty clothes from public view!   Does anyone else have this problem when packing?

A "Pile of Stuff" is Building in a Corner!

The "Teabags"  some of the most important things I must take with me.

With three weeks to go before I fly to Hanover, I have begun buying stuff to take away with me, all the important things I cannot buy in Germany.   The most important of these is a big box of good, strong English tea, the like of which I cannot buy in Braunschweig.   I do not wish to upset anyone, but I do not enjoy drinking the fragrant types of tea, what I describe as weak, coloured water, although some might not agree with me.

My suitcase is the large, black object at the back, with my computer case next to, and a plastic bag of sesame crunches to keep me going during my journey, should I feel peckish!   I arrive at my flat in Timmerlah at lunch time on Wednesday 4th, and will take enough goodies with me for the following day which is "Christi Himmelfahrt," Ascension Day, when all the shops will be closed, and I cannot walk to the REWE supermarket in Weststadt.

My lovely landlady will buy rolls, eggs, cheese and some basics for me, and I shall dine out for a day on noodles, topped with cheese, tomatoes, some salad stuff and Cox's Orange Pippins!    I can't wait to get going now!

The Preparations have Begun!

With Monika in the Art Museum in Wolfsburg, a short train ride from Braunschweig.

I have purchased my plane ticket for my flight from London Heathrow to Hanover on Wednesday 4th May.  On Tuesday night, the 3rd of May, I'm staying with a friend in Dorking, a town not too distant from Heathrow, and at 05.30 that morning, a taxi will collect me, and take me to terminal 5, for my 08.15 GMT flight.  I should land in Hanover at 11.00 CET, where my German friend Dorothea will pick me up and drive me to my flat in Timmerlah.

I have started buying "stuff" for my four month stay, and throwing it into my case, and soon I will start the serious business of picking the clothes I want to take with me, and the shoes, and the handbags, and all the bits and pieces a woman needs! 

Back soon with news of my "pack it in the case, then take it out again"  neurosis, that I suffer with every year!