GOP!

Last week Nico and I made the most of our live in babysitter to visit the GOP theatre in Bremen. It's been open for four or five years now and we've been keen to go but it's not easy to get out.  I bought Nico some vouchers for his birthday and we planned the visit around Dad's time here.

I had no idea what to expect.  I had a vague idea that it was like Cirque du Soleil but I have never seen that either.  

It was brilliant!  There were two presenters who did a bit of stand up and music.  Some of the wordplay was a bit much for me, but they were good.  Then there were about eight different performers (some solo artists and some duets) who did different acrobatic of circus skills - juggling, pole dancing, strong woman.  The latter had Nico and another 'volunteer' up on the stage which made the night for me.

It is not permitted to photograph inside the theatre but that helps you concentrate on the show.  It lasted about two hours.  We had booked for the meal beforehand and while the service was good and the food wasn't bad, it wasn't special and for that price, I would have expected at least bigger portions.  

I'd love to go again and see what they do for a different show.  We heard that the show before was even more spectacular.  Next time, I would eat in Bremen first.  The drinks were nice and it was really good to be out as a couple for the evening.  Date nights are so important.

I also learned this week that there are several GOPs.  Hamburg and Münster have their own GOP theatres and the original is in Hannover.

Harbour Boat Trip

Last week we took the kids out of daycare to travel to Bremen and take them on their first boat tour.  We were lucky to have glorious weather that day and a lovely breeze from the river.  We took water and snacks and had a wonderful family day out.

Sometimes, it's easy to forget that you don't have to go far to get that holiday feeling.  I love these day trips and I hope we'll manage a few more.  This one is still one of my favourite memories from last Summer.

I wasn't sure how the kids would react but they both loved it.  They sat and looked for a while and then they ran around and played a bit but all within limits and they were not a bit of trouble.  Isabella was very proud to tell her Grandma all about it on the telephone.  She loved spotting other ships and some of the industrial areas, especially the 'broken down pirate ships'.  They both slept well afterwards too!

For me, it was a sign that we can do more with the kids and it's wonderful to enter this new stage as a family where we can do more and the kids are a little more independent. 

Competition time

Today I took six of my Spanish group to the Bremen languages competition.

They were really nervous but they did me proud. There were better and worse groups but despite some technical difficulties, mine represented their groups and the school well.

We were really impressed with the entertainment from the school and with the competition.

All groups received prizes and certificates, which was nice. There were lots of exciting prizes so we've agreed to go back with an English entry next year!

I think both the pupils and I am more prepared for the next time and it's so important to do these 'extra' things for languages.

Spielcoolisse

At the weekend we took Isabella for a play date at the play gym in Bremen.

It was brilliant. It cost 13 Euros, so we won't be going every week, but it was worth it.

There's a huge climbing area with a ball pool and various activities on the way up to the big slide. The mummies went with and the girls loved it. Upstairs there's a mini play area, roundabouts and a UV room. Back downstairs there's also a soft play area, colour computers and a range of bikes and bobby cars.

There's a cafe and a restaurant where you can book parties. We had coffee while the girls ate snacks we'd brought with. We were there for two and a half hours.

Isabella got up from her lunchtime nap at 16:30!!!

Baby Gym

This morning, Isabella and I went to our first baby gym! I wasn't at all sure what to expect but it was really good. It was more of a play group in that we started and finished with songs - I sang in public for the first time ever...and in German!

We had an introduction round and the leader explained about baby development. There was also time for questions and answers. 

There were seven babies there, all at a very similar age and development. Isabella was curious as ever and there were some sympathy tears again - as with baby massage. There were giggles too though when we were doing the actions to some of the songs.

I can't wait to see how the group develops and how it helps Isabella. It was really great to mix with other parents and babies - something we should do more of.

We're already looking forward to next week!

Mum's Visit

I updated you on our week yesterday, including all we did while Mum was here visiting. Today I thought I would share some photos. I didn't get any in Fischerhude since I forgot the camera and the weather was miserable but I really recommend a visit if you are ever in the area.

 We got the baby's room set up.

 We had a lovely evening in Findorff, walking in the sunshine and enjoying a delicious Greek meal at Metaxa.

 We finally got to the Kaseglocke in Worpswede. Last time we tried to go it was too icy to get to it and this time the weather was gorgeous. We went around the lovely little shops too.

 There was also a lovely market where I found some lovely buttons for the baby cardigan. They had all kinds of lovely things there.

 This is the main cafe at the museum in Worpswede. We didn't go in but the building itself is something to see.

I even found my spiritual twin there in the artwork!

Bremen Christmas Market

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Last night was the first of what will hopefully be several visits to the Bremen Christmas Market for me this year.  Unfortunately I won't be able to make work's Christmas meal next week so I made a special effort despite the miserable weather yesterday and headed into town with some colleagues after work.

One colleague really did have to convince me to go despite the rain but in the end I was glad she did as the rain had all but stopped and it had put off the crowds so that it was quite comfy to wander around for once!

We had a punch and a nice chinhwag - always good to see colleagues outside of school too.  I was home for seven as it was a school night but my first visit was thoroughly enjoyed - here's to lots more!

Family Visit

With the town musicians

 Last weekend we had my Dad and Gran to stay.  The trip was a birthday present for my Gran who turns ninety on Sunday!  She seemed ti really enjoy herself and we loved having her here.

Here are some snaps from our trip into Bremen on Monday.

Dad in Knigge

With Gran in Knigge

Enjoying tea and cake

Clean plate!

Dad and Gran in the market square

Driving in Bremen

On Sunday, I took my friend for a driving lesson.

Bremen has a special driving practice centre where you can hire dual control cars by the hour or take your own to practice.

I'd been a little worried about them accepting my English license but in the end they didn't even check it - just took our signatures for the insurance and handed over the keys.

My biggest shock was the hill that we had to drive up to access the grounds.  I hadn't expected to drive myself (especially as I have limited experience with a left hand drive) but was told that I had to drive up there and then swap with my friend.

I was also surprised my how hilly the grounds themselves were.  It's something that I always forget in my time away from England because Bremen just does not have hills.

So even though my friend has had several lessons before, the hills and getting used to the new car made the experience a little more nerve testing than I had expected but we both got used to it and I got back in one piece.

It did make me appreciate driving instructors much more and the first thing I said to Nico on my return - "We are never teaching our own ids to drive."

Treat time

After a stressful couple of days we treated ourselves last night and cracked open the white wine we bought from the Ratskeller.  It was delicious and we even took the tip from the tour we took there and paired it with the orange crisp chocolate leaves from Hachez.  Delicious and well earned this week.

Project Life Update

This week was all about Dad's visit.  Our trips to Hamburg, Schneverdingen and Bremen feature heavily as well as dinner with Loreto.  I did another collage card for that trip to the Ratskeller in Bremen.

Day out in Bremen

With Dad in the Ratskeller

 On Monday we had a nice day out around Bremen.  First we had a lovely lunch in the Ratskeller and then we got the tram up to Universum.  We walked back to the market place through Burgerpark. 

With Nico in the Ratskeller

The drinks

Street art at the Universum

Roland in the park

Baby ducks in the park

Topiary in the park

Park Hotel

28 things...go on a wine tasting experience!

On Wednesday, Nico and I headed into town for our appointment in the Bremen town hall cellar.  I love wine.  For a long time, I have wanted to learn a little more about wine and the different flavours and Nico, ever the perfect gift giver, bought me these tickets for a tour of the Bremen wine cellars, including wine and chocolate tasting, and this week we did it.

It was fantastic.  We learnt so much about the process of wine making and storing and also about the history of Bremen and at each stage, we were served a different wine with a well paired chocolate.  

First up was a half dry champagne while we inspected the 'vault' where the oldest and most valuable wines are stored.  That went with an almond praline.  Then were the white wines, first a dry and then a sweet, while we saw the normal storage rooms.

Up last were the red wines.  The first was dry and very nice but the last one blew me away.  It reminded me of a lovely French wine I had had with duck at a Christmas meal with some colleagues in Harrogate and never forgot.  The great thing is that prices are so much better here than in England.  In England, the bottle cost over thirty pounds but this one - 14 Euros.  That's expensive for here but I'll definitely be stocking up before my red wine drinking buddy's next visit!

This is the oldest wine in Bremen.  It costs 20000 Euros for a 'finger' and Queen Elizabeth II was the last person to drink from it!

 And though it was a school night - I felt great the day after.  I would definitely recommend the experience to anyone and they offer tours in different languages as we saw a Spanish one while we were there.

Christmas Market!

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The Bremen Christmas Market started yesterday.  I can't wait to visit it.  It never gets boring - it's my favourite time of year in the city.

Bowling Fun

On Saturday, we headed across to the far side of Bremen to meet the others for a round of bowling.  I can't remember the last time I went bowling but it was certainly long before I came to Germany.  We wanted to do something a bit different with our friends this month and it was a great success.  We'll definitely do it again but after the holidays next month, it's going to be a games night in.