Bank Holiday Weekend in Schneverdingen

Here are some photos of us wedding planning in Schneverdingen this weekend.

Planning with Loreto

Loreto and Ed with Luna

With Nico

Our venue

The Lake

The Watermill

Townhall

St Peter & Paul Church

Sheep Stall Church

Inside the Sheep Stall Church

Walking Pete

Nico's Mum with Pete

Buttonholes

The Next Project...

The Saturday Update

It's been a lovely week this week.  First of all, we had a late start due to the long bank holiday weekend here in Germany.  The weather was beautiful so on Tuesday we headed out to Thedinghausen on the bikes to visit Ed and Loreto for lunch.  I've already posted about the bike ride itself.  One of the nicest parts, as ever, in rural Bremen, was the wildlife.  This time, we could here the frogs singing in Park Links der Weser and saw beautiful birds everywhere.  This morning, we've even heard cuckoos in the garden.

The short work week went well.  I now have an idea which classes I'll be teaching next year and since I will only have one new one, in year five, I'm quite pleased with that.

Yesterday, I had another lovely lunch with Loreto in town and we did a spot of shopping - perfect start to the weekend.  I bought a cute little rain cover for my bike saddle as it got caught in a thunderstorm on Thursday which didn't make for a pleasant ride home.  I also invested in some new stationary for a hopefully inspirational new start on the Weightwatchers front as I knew that this week was going to be a bad one on the scales, and was proved right this morning - two pounds back on.  More on that later.

Nico and I booked to go to the salon this afternoon so that he can redeem his Christmas voucher and I can tick another item off my 28 things list, I'll let you know how that went tomorrow.

I've also been trying to get to grips with a new book this week, my classic for the month - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  I have to say, the style and dialect in which it is written have made it really tough for me to get into but I am persevering and enjoying the story itself.

Next week is the last and only full week at work before another short week thanks to another bank holiday - I love May (to be fair, we don't have half term as England does, so it makes up for that).  We don't have a lot planned except getting ready for Briony and Lucas visiting the week after!  Have a good week!

England

At the start of the holidays we had two weeks in England which I haven't talked about much yet.  After the two days in Whitstable, we headed back to Morley to catch up with friends and family for ten days.

It was really important to me to see my Gran as I haven't seen her since Christmas and she has been in hospital.  The worst thing about being abroad, is being away at times like that but she has demanded it of me herself that I don't move back to England!  Anyway, she was weaker than last time we saw her but having seen her on the webcam and having prepared myself for the worst, it wasn't too big a shock seeing her.  She was the same funny, stubborn Gran that we left there in January.  By the end of the visit she was visibly stronger and starting to cook for herself more but it was great to be there and help her while we could.

We also caught up with the rest of my immediate family which was great.  I have seen my parents since Christmas as they have visited here in Bremen which is lovely and hopefully will come and see our new place before Christmas.  I hadn't seen my brother and sister though so it was also good to catch up with them and see both of their new homes while we were back.

During our second week back we visited Heckmondwike for Languages Day and had the luck to see my old form.  I can't believe the difference in them in just a year.  Still rowdy as ever but one pupil in particular I thought must have joined this year until I realised who it was and of course it was great to hear they won the year eight Eurovision contest with their rendition of Superkalifragilistigexpialigetisch!  It was strange being back, somehow like I'd never left but all different at the same time.

We managed to meet up with several friends and catch up on their news too which was great.  Despite our best efforts and being exhausted most days, we didn't manage to see everyone but we will be back in the Christmas holidays and there's lots of room for guests in our new place!

One final highlight of the holiday was flying back (yep, the German way of life has convinced me that it is possible to go car-less...we shall see) and it was the first time for Nico.  I think I was one the first time I went on a plane but it's something I have now done so often, I barely think about it.  I think Nico enjoyed it, he coped better than I probably would have as an adult first timer - but then he's not a giant wimp. 

The Saturday Update

Well it's been a slow week this week.  After a nice long relaxing weekend, we had a lovely dinner with friends on the bank holiday, making our favourite recipes and playing darts.  Then it was back to work for a short three day week that didn't feel so short.  I managed to get two of my year groups' grades in and the rest are to be done next week!  It's been a week of ups and downs with three family members in and out of hospital.  It's times like these that make me feel how far from home I am and I've been wondering all week if I need to drop everything and get back but touchwood, things look to be improving slowly but surely. 

So, having indulged in wine and chocolate to abate the stress and worries of the week, I was surprised to have only put a pound on this week and am starting the week with a renewed energy and resolve.  It will be another shorter week with all classes cancelled on Monday for the oral exams.  As mentioned, the main work target will be finishing the grades before reporting time.  And now it's less than four weeks to our England trip.  I'm really looking forward to it!

A Note on Bank Holidays

Yes I can see you all over there on 'the island' feeling all smug with yourselves because it's Bank Holiday Monday yet again and I'm working while you all sun yourselves, go shopping and enjoy barbecues yet again.  And you probably all remember what I said about German bank holidays and how if they fall on the weekend, that's just tough luck, no day off work like in England and feel even smugger.  But I have finally found the loophole that makes it all worthwhile...

Yes, here in Germany we have two Bank Holidays coming up.  I'm not sure what exactly they are for - they are Christian holidays I think, since there's no Royal Family to marry off over here.  So just like the 3rd October was a Sunday last year and that was tough luck, these holidays fall on a Thursday and Tuesday and this time, never mind tough luck, the Germans don't see the logic in having a Thursday off and then going into work for just one day, so they 'bridge' the holiday and we get two days off!!  So this week is a three day week, a full week next week and then another three day week and I'm going to make the most of it and feel very smug at the same time.