27 things...Take a Motorbike Trip

On our first day back in Germany, Nico took me for a little ride to cross another first off my to do list.  I finally took a ride on a motorbike!  Of course, I wasn't driving, I left that to Nico as the man with a license...in fact the only accident on the whole trip took place as he left me alone with the bike (engine off) for all of twenty seconds so I won't be applying for my license any time soon!

I was a little apprehensive about the whole experience given that my Gran had once been on the back of a bike (at about my age) and had an accident!  I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised, the whole experience was great.  When I first started cycling again, I always felt funny without a seatbelt, well this took that feeling to a whole new level but in a good way.  I never felt unsafe but it did feel very open and breezy of course.  It was a great experience and although I was aching after a while, I'd definitely like to do it again!

27 things...Have an Appy Feet Pedicure

While we were back in England we also crossed another thing off my list of 27 things to do before I turn 27.  We went for a fish pedicure.  This is something I wanted to do ever since we saw a new fish pedicure shop in York at Christmas and when we got back to Morley we found out that a new spa had opened (soak spa) on the main street there so we tried it out.

It was brilliant.  It's a little freaky at first as it tickles a lot but you soon get used to it and then it's quite relaxing.  Nico hates having his feet touched but he even enjoyed it!

First we had to soak our feet for about fifteen minutes, then we could put them in the fish tanks and it's amazing how fast they go to your feet!  They don't have teeth or anything so there's nothing to fear, it really does just tickle.  We had fifteen minutes with our feet in there and afterwards I also had a foot massage with nice foot cream and it was like walking on air!  This was all for just ten pounds.  I bought my friend a voucher and will definitely go again...try it!

http://www.soakspa.co.uk/

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. 

One Year On

Today is exactly one year since I came to live in Bremen and I can't believe quite how much my life has changed.  When I left England to start my two year post, several friends joked how I would meet someone and stay here and I laughed it off...now I'm moving in with Nico in two days time and hoping to extend my contract indefinitely. 

It's been a good year.  I've learned a lot... mainly about Germany and the school system here, both of which I've talked about before, but also about myself.  I've done lots of new things (look at my list!) and met lots of new people and I'm so grateful that I took that leap last year.  I remember two years ago when I lost my job and flat and everything seemed to be going wrong, and now I know that it all happens for a reason.  All of those things brought me where I am today and made me appreciate it all.

So one more year in my job at least and I'm going to make it a good one.  Living with Nico in our two balcony flat is going to be an adventure in itself, and I'm going to make sure I keep trying new things and meeting new people.  I also start my new job in September teaching evening classes which will be exciting too!  So lots to look forward to and keep you up to date on. 

27 things...Eat Oysters

On our last evening in Whitstable, we also crossed a target off my 27 things list.  27 things I want to do before I turn 27.  We tried oysters.  There was a lovely little oyster bar in Whitstable.  It's on the High Street and you can't miss it, the whole building is painted pink with the name on the side too.  The usual thing seems to be to order half a dozen but as a first attempt, we ordered one each.  We put on some lemon juice and went for it.  We were advised that you can chew it and don't have to just swallow it down so we did.  All in all, it was more normal than expected.  It wasn't amazingly tasty, it was very salty, but it would make a nice starter, I certainly couldn't eat them as a meal but as a little starter, I really enjoyed it and am glad I did something new.

Whitstable

We've had a wonderful couple of days in Whitstable.  It was really nice to break up the driving with a stop over in the south of England.  We arrived in the town at 4am on Monday morning following a hell of a drive and slept for nearly three hours in a carpark!  We stayed at Flat One, Harbour Street.  The flat was wonderful.  It was such a home from home with the owner, Julie, putting in all the perfect little touches, wine, tea coffee, pain au chocolate, fresh flowers...

Julie's Website

Julie also had lots of tips on where to go and what to do.  On the first day we rested for the morning before taking a walk along the beach, fish and chip lunch and a quiet afternoon before a delicious dinner at Zizzi's.  I really want to give them a big mention because they are the only restaurant I have found so far, and a chain at that, who do gluten free pasta.  We went there for dinner both nights and the food was delicious - highly recommended!

Zizzi's in Whitstable 

On our full day there, we made an early start and hired some bikes from another local business for a tour to Canterbury.  It was a fifteen mile round trip, and I was really proud of myself, never having cycled in England for fifteen years, for making the journey, although some of the hills after the nice flat landscape in Northern Germany nearly killed me!  Canterbury was lovely, a very nice town but as usual for the South of England and the tourist industry, the cathedral was too expensive.  Canterbury also led to a break on my no book buying for a year ban...  Well, how could I go to Canterbury, never having read the Canterbury Tales?  As long as I have read it and all my other unread books this year, I will be happy.  

We also bumped into a German school group, a Spanish school group and an English school group.  I can't believe we drove for so many hours and still didn't escape German school pupils!  A final note on Canterbury is the amazing farmers market we visited as we left.  Absolutely amazing fresh, local products, everything from wine to meat and fish.  If only Nico had had his spice collection there in Whitstable, Zizzi's would not have had a chance!  It was called the Good Shed - worth a visit every time!

The Saturday Update

Well what a week!  It's been very busy with the end of term and school year.  It was really nice to see my year 6 class get their reports and celebrate their hard work this year.  As soon as school ended, it was Breminale time with the music festival here in Bremen from Wednesday until Sunday.  We were there again last night and the highlight for me was the fire dancing act.  It was amazing to watch at dusk as they danced with different forms of fire without getting burned!  This time the June Bugs left us alone for the main part which was nice too!  

Apart from that we've still been sorting things out for England and the big move when we get back.  Today we'll be finishing preparations before setting off on the long drive tomorrow before (hopefully) a relaxing couple of days in Whitstable together for Nico's birthday.  Can't wait!