Liechtenstein: From the Pylons to the Autobahn.

So having Wednesdays free as discussed previously, Katrina and I decided we should go on a trip a little further afield. In fact we decided we wanted to do something a bit international, which is not too difficult around here. We settled on somewhere we both though was a little ridiculous and therefore all the more appealing: Liechtenstein. It’s the 6th smallest country in the world (3rd in Europe) and something of an oddball. It has limited possibilities for visitors/residents/castle aficionados.

Catching up with Time and Time catching up with me...

I may have been watching a bit too much Doctor Who (thank you University of Bath VPN) but this almost on time (as if there's a timetable) Blog post features a fair bit of thinking about time. 

Once Upon a Five Day Weekend

I had a five day weekend.  It was nice.  It was like an inverted normal week, which consisted of doing the paltry amount of stuff I do on a Monday and Tuesday and then having Wednesday off (as is usual), Thursday off (as is unusual - it was a bank Holiday) and Friday off (as is usual) in addition to the real weekend (which, for those of you who like complete lists or are unsure how Germany works, is Saturday and Sunday, and I normally have off).

Father Son bonding, Deutsche Bahn, Sun and other Surprises. An overdue roundup.

So it has been nearly a month since my last report on the occurrences surrounding my time here in abroad.  Consulting my calendar (because remembering things from that long ago is tough), I have learned where I need to pick up from, so I shall:

Journey of the Magi (or at least a bunch of foreigners)

So in the last week or so places have been visited, wine has been drunk and journeys made (some more successfully than others).

Münster not Munster

So its been a little while since I've posted an update on my exciting life, so here's a brief overview of what I've been up to:

Google Translate, in human form!

So last week's event was a trip to Stuttgart on Thursday.  Here is a short list of adjectives to describe the day and the city:

Oktoberfest

So after my previous entry with its slightly downcast view of Oktoberfest the time came to have myself well and truly schooled in all things Oktoberfest from the one place that knows them:  The Theresenweise (die Wiesn) in Munich, home of the one, the only, the original Oktoberfest.  I should say now that I went for a day rather than staying overnight or through the night so my view is pretty much of the middle of the day.

Septemberfest.

Those with even a passing interest in Germany and things German will know that they like their beer and they like a good singsong.  The word "Oktoberfest" will probably conjure up images of Munich, tents, lederhosen, women in Dirndls with "viel Holz vor der Hütte" and of course, Beer, lots of beer.  All of these images come to mind because they are, broadly, true.  What people (including my good self) sometimes do not realise is that the majority of the festival occurs in September (The Bürgers of Munich, being practical types, moved it because the weather was better) and that there are Oktoberfest celebrations all over Germany, including (luckily for me) Konstanz.  So, having been told about Oktoberfests every year in school and in Uni and each person pointing out that it was at a very awkward time for us it seemed rude not to stroll on down to the tent which had been erected on the edge of the Bodensee to house the Oktoberfest am See (an international festival as the very near by Switzerland shares this event, along with may others).