26K Page Views - 31.October 2020

Today I have viewed my blogsite and just noticed right this second 26.000-page views. In times of social media of course this is not a big milestone as only one video shared on Instagram or elsewhere can attract 100K clicks, likes or shares...or more. Anyway, just to all the people who stumble across my page, thank you.

Kochel am See - Wellness Day

Due to the weather not being as summerly as we would hope for, we spontaneously decided to look after our health and went to a day spa. After a day hiking and our aching bodies, we would do nothing but relaxing all day long.

As we arrived at Kochel am See, the thermal bath, we noticed that lots of people decided as well to take a break. The weather was unpleasant, windy, and rainy, nothing like summer at all. It looked more like an average day in autumn.

Anyway, once we got in, the pleasant part began, sauna, swimming, dining, relaxing, we had all of it, all day long. At the end of the day when we left the thermal bath even the sun appeared on the sky and we took a little walk along the lake. 

What an amazing scenery we were surrounded by, so we soaked it all in and left happily soon after. What an absolute fabulous day we had.

Hiking in the Alps

After a good night sleep and a rich breakfast, we took our gear and started on our first adventure, hiking. Let me tell you that I never went hiking before, hence we choose an easy trail for beginners, so I thought.

Fully motivated we went up and up and the hiking got steeper and higher and soon I found myself out of breath. Dear God, what was I thinking, if this is an easy trail for beginners, what would be like a medium one, Am I so unfit?

After too many breaks and pauses my hiking partner pushed and motivated me all the way up to the top. Even I was laughing about myself but at this point in time it wasn't funny.

By the time we reached the top we found out that we were hiking a moderately difficult trail. Something went wrong or we incorrectly read the map. We hiked from Ettal, so from the valley to the summit the altitude difference was roughly 850 meters. It was not a hiking trail for dummies.

The view however from the summit made up for all the sweat and pain. We thoroughly enjoyed lunch together and after recharging our batteries, we made our way down, this time we took the cable car. The ride took approximately 10 minutes and again we soaked in the view and could relax all the way down to Oberammagau.

Finally on Vacation

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we had to change our plans for our holiday this year. Originally, we were meant to go to the US later this year, but it looks like another trip to the south of Germany. We are going to Ettal. After traveling almost 700 km we finally arrived at our destination and we were quite hungry. After checking in we went for a walk exploring the neighbourhood and found a cosy restaurant to kick off our well-deserved vacation.

One of the attractions of the town just opposite the hotel we are staying lays the monastery of Ettal, very impressive building. And when you look a bit closer you can see me wearing a winter jacket at the end of August which is very unusual, but it was a very cold summer day down here in the mountains. We were lucky that the rain stopped. I hope the weather will get better and the sun will take over in the coming days as we have lots of plans, outdoor activities like hiking and eventually going for a swim in one of the many lakes up here in the mountains.

Family Fun Day

At the end of the summer school holidays my brother and kids always pay me a visit. Today my parents decided to not just drop them off but to stay a bit longer. As I was still working in the home office everybody was outside enjoying the sun and the warm weather.

There is nothing better than going for a dip if you feel hot. As I was working, I still heard the joy and the laughter in the back yard and so the picture was taken, capturing a beautiful moment of my whole family spending quality time together in the swimming pool.

Later on, after I finished work, I joined them in the pool, we had some ice cream and to finish off a brilliant family day we had a BBQ. Mum was worried we would not have enough food but there was plenty of food and selection for everyone.

The following day we drove my brother, niece and nephew to the Berlin main train station and they travelled back to Switzerland as the first school day was only one weekend away.

Weekend – Breakfast at the Pool

To have a great start to the weekend we decided to have breakfast at the swimming pool. Working so hard throughout the pandemic and staying at home on weekends, we can finally enjoy the fruits of all our efforts as we were busy upgrading and enhancing the back yard. 

Folks, we are on the home stretch of the summer project 2020. So, from now on we will enjoy more often breakfast outside and it feels like a holiday already.

First BBQ Session - Birthday Gift

A new BBQ bought by brands4friends was this year's birthday gift for Tobi and everyone of the family chipped in, thank you very much. So, today was the day we finally had our opening BBQ. We went to a special butcher in Borgsdorf  to get some quality meet and sausages. We also bought a couple of shrimps and other goodies somewhere else. What can I say, the taste of the meet and sausages was just divine, best beef I've had in a very long time and it was worth every cent!

Let's put a shrimp on the barbie.

Happy Wedding Anniversary & Birthday

One day, two occasions and we are all in one place to celebrate this special day. To Tobi, Happy Birthday and to my parents, Happy 45th Wedding Anniversary. May we have plenty of other happy occasions that we can celebrate in the near and far future by staying healthy, which is the most important gift one can wish for.

Even though it gets harder to get presents for the anniversaries as we basically have everything, we can always bring joy and a big smile to Tobi's face when chocolate is involved, chocolate from "Milka" in particular.

After all the presents were exchanged, we enjoyed a lovely breakfast including some champagne for the special occasion.

Ascension of Christ aka Father`s Day

This year the month of May is full of public holidays. So, today just another one came along which is called Ascension of Christ and to all that don't believe in Christ...they called it Father's Day instead

We had nothing special planned but the weather was lovely so we decided to get our bicycles cleaned up and ready we were. Let's go for a ride to Lake Lenitz. On the way we just stopped somewhere for a fatty Hot Dog to get our energy levels back up and on we went.

And just as we thought we had enough, while on our way back home the Police stopped us on our bikes and took a breathalyser test, seriously. We could not believe our "luck" and got along with the procedure and had quite a laugh. Both our tests came out just fine....as expected.

Getting the Lawn down

This year pretty much everything evolves around the back yard, to give it a face. Friends and family who know how the back yard looked before are already amazed about the transformation, and we are not finished yet.

Unfortunately, we weren't able to get lawn from a local company as lawn in general around this time is high in demand. However, we found a company in the Netherland and scheduled the delivery for the 15th of May. How exciting to finally getting beautiful lawn to almost complete our back yard project.

In previous days and weeks, we have done all the preparations needed to get the lawn down when it's been dropped off. Around lunch time a big truck stopped in front of our house and within hours the lawn was down, it looked perfect, spectacular...I guess, just like any other backyard.

Pool Cover....follow up Project

Most important, in order to continue with our backyard project, was to get the tiling done. Now, that we have finished the first part the second step has been planned and organised. So today, we are waiting for the delivery of our pool cover.

Originally, we should have received the pool cover a day earlier but something got mixed up and so we were delayed by one day. Anyway, in times of COVID-19 everything is a bit different and we are just happy that to pool cover has been dropped off at our premises.

A dear friend has given us a hand to assemble the parts and place it into the rails. To finish it off we got rid of the protective film, fixed the tree parts and were in awe how great it actually looked. 

The pool cover has many benefits in regards to child protection as it is lockable so no one can go in unallowed. It also is beneficial in using less chemicals as well as less dirt gets into the pool and of course it prolongs the season as it keeps the water temperature.

Easter Project 2020 – Tiling the Pool Area

It seems as if one project just finished and the next one is already in the pipeline. You might be right about that but, we still have plenty of time to relax in between projects. Also, we enjoy it very much progressing bit by bit. I can truly say this pandemic and the restrictions that come with it are playing in our hands. 

#StayHome. Save Lives

That's what we are doing, and we are not bored of each other, let alone bored at all. So, that's why we decided to start on the laying the tiles at the swimming pool area. All the materials had been delivered. We were just hoping for great weather and off we go...let's do it. 

On a side note the wall at the back to our neighbour Tobi also plastered this one on Saturday morning. Again, I'm totally impressed and overwhelmed with my "Bubselbär" and the passion he shows when he is at it.

Happy Easter 2020

Wishing all of you a Happy Easter and hope you stay safe and sound. It appears that this Easter is very different to all others due to the Corona Virus Pandemic. 

We are not getting together with our family to celebrate this special time of the year. Unfortunately, we also had to cancel our travel arrangements going to Switzerland to be with my brother as well as celebrating a very special birthday of my niece who turns 10 years just after Easter, what a milestone.

Nevertheless, we play along with what is possible and on time we received a special Easter parcel sent by Mum & Dad. What a surprise and we waited till Sunday before we opened the "Easter Egg".

One of course is always more taken aback by it than others.

And as we are home bound, we had plenty of time baking cakes. I usually bake cake once a year. Look at me, on just one weekend I baked 2. I must admit I totally enjoyed spending that much time in the kitchen and of course Tobi felt very spoilt.

Winter Project - 2nd Bathroom Finished

We have just left winter behind us and on time we finished our winter project which was building a 2nd bathroom. When we look back what the room looked like before we've started  it was basically just a basement. Just a few weeks later, now look at it again how beautiful it turned out.

What an amazing job Tobi has done yet again. All I had to do at the end was cleaning the tiles and furniture and put stuff into the cabinets. Once the bathroom was tidied up, in the evening we had a bath for the first time in almost 3 years as we didn't have a bathtub yet in the house.

All we need to really finish it off is a mirror, a door and some window coverings. We'll get that in time for when we get some visitors. As you all know due to the COVID-19 aka Corona Virus Pandemic we are practising social distancing, hence a couple of things need to be done later.

Winter Project 2020 - Update

Four weeks into the job, in fact just the weekends we worked on the second bathroom, that's where we stand as of today. Cables and pipes are all in and next week we will connect the water. The following steps include the floor heating, the floor itself, tiles, bathtub, toilet etc. It's still a fair bit of work but we are on track. Our goal is to have the bathroom finished around spring time.

Winter Project 2020 – 2nd Bathroom

No, we are not standing still and still we find enough time to relax and enjoy life. So, we are back from our holiday and short trip to London, our batteries are re-charged and the next project is just lying in front of us. I'm getting a 2nd bathroom and Tobi is the one putting it in with the assistance of a couple of friends who will give us a hand here and there.

After two weekends and hard work, this is where we are at the moment. We took out sand from the basement in order to get height into this room. After this was done, we put down the concreate slap. When I write "we" did this I actually mean Tobi did it....it just sounds so much better and of course I assist in other ways to realise this little project.

I can't wait to actually have it finished soon, even if it doesn't look like it currently.

Food Heaven - London (Earl's Court)

As our London trip comes to an end, I must summarise the culinary adventures we have been taken in such a short time. Whether it's a traditional English breakfast in one of the many local pubs , Indian, Chinese, Italian or Pakistani Cuisine or a burger place around the corner or a bakery that exists more than 100 years, you can find just everything in close proximity and it is absolute delicious. The restaurants are packed so you should make a booking beforehand in order to get in.

We both love food, good food, great food and if the plate is dished up nicely it tastes even better. We will come back definitely for more.