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.

Welcoming 2020 in London, UK

This year we've decided to spend New Years Eve differently, not with my family or in Germany but in London with friends. As we have prepared for the trip months ago we are even more excited that the day has finally arrived.

After a great evening spending in a Pub in good company we are have made our way to at London Eye on the bridge. Hopefully we will watch a spectacular fireworks from this location and are waiting for the moment the clock will tick over and a new year, decade begins. 

For this special occasion even Big Ben will ring at midnight. So here we go, waiting for 2020 to arrive, bring it on and count down 10, 9, 8...…..

Happy New Year

2020

London - China Town - Dim Sum

Of course there is "China Town" here in London, don't you know that? That was the answer for my question of my friend Sasa. The evening we went to see the comedy show in Soho Theatre which I enjoyed pretty much and Tobi probably didn't because of him not speaking English very well, on the way back home we accidentally stumbled through China Town and checked it out. 

As we only had a piece of Pizza before the show we were hungry afterwards. So we had dinner at a Hong Kong Restaurant, Tobi's choice. What we noticed straight away, China Town, London has lots of Dim Sum places….which unfortunately Berlin is lacking. I love Dim Sum so we decided to come back the next day to have Dim Sum for lunch and weren't disappointed.

We even went for a full body massage for 60 minutes which we both enjoyed very much, after yesterdays long walk through London and the sightseeing tour. We walked more than 10 km and no, we did not want to take the Underground Tube or the hop on & hop off bus because the weather was just loevely, clear skies and sunny. It was totally worth it even though our feet hurt at the end of that day.

London - Sightseeing Tour

There are far too many photos to share them all with you. However, a couple I have picked to post to my Blog. It all started with walking down to Kensington Palace then we just followed others an came by other interesting buildings and statues which I can't even remember what they are called.

As mentioned before, we basically walked more than 12 km in one day and at the end I was exhausted, we both were, to the point we decided to buy a new pair, of shoes each the following day. As we purchased the new pair we left the old one in the shop and continued with more sightseeing the following day in much more comfortable shoes than the day before.

I must admit I fell in love with London. How could I have waited so long to actually come here. Whether it is the city, public transport, sightseeing, people or the cuisine & food, I felt like in food heaven. It was the first trip to London but it will not be the last one...I'll come back for more and even will explore more of the country and its beauty.

German Unity Day - 3rd of October

Today we are commemorating the anniversary of the reunification 29 years ago. East & West Germany became ones more a united Germany. I can't believe it is almost 30 years ago that a divided Germany was reunited and all this happening in a peaceful manner.

So today we went to the spot were it all happened the Brandenburg Gate. No more borders; walking through the Gate is a simple as crossing the road anywhere you like. What a special event which made history.

Road Trip, 3rd Leg - Switzerland

This is just a brief summary of one beautiful day which we've spent in Switzerland close to the German border. "Bodensee" or Lake Constance is a stopping point if visiting this region. Another attraction are the "Rhein" Falls which you can see from the German part or the Swiss part, either side it's beautiful.  

Have fun watching the video, I tried to capture some moments of that day

The Birthday Boy is Celebrating

Due to being on holidays in Poland where we celebrated Tobi's actual birthday we invited my parents over upon our return to have a little get together. For the special occasion I baked a strawberry cake.

We also invited some other guest who however couldn't make it due to a tummy bug, oops...so sorry. Anyway, as Tobi loves cake he had it all to himself apart from us three having a piece.

You asked what he's got for his birthday gift? Well, as my bestie has forgotten his Credit Card for our vacation in Poland I decided this will be on me. He liked it very much...and we had a great laugh together.

Carnival of Cultures

We have just been back from the Road Trip and again we are off to Berlin's "Karneval der Kulturen" which is a parade of lots of different societies from around the world. The weather was beautiful warm and sunny but not too hot. We packed bottle of waters in our backpack and we had a shady spot from where we could watch the parade. I would say let’s get started.

And we didn’t get disappointed, the music, the atmosphere, the variety of people, costumes, backgrounds just very colourful the world we live in. It’s pretty amazing when so much colour comes together and enriches our lives…. you just need to open your eyes and be part of it. Great Event.

Road Trip to Poland - Oświęcim

From Poznań to Oswiecim we've travelled another 400 km to reach the second leg of our road trip. Such a idyllic place this small town has become, just gorgeous considering the dark past some 70 something years ago. This was the reason we went on this trip to actually take a look at the infamous concentration camp.

It was an experience walking those ground. I can’t put it into words what I was feeling. The seize of that area and what has happened here, unimaginable. Never again!

Well, our trip came eventually to an end and all together it was an amazing trip with lots of fun as well as deep thoughts and not to forget a special day we were celebrating, Tobi's birthday, just the two of us.

So, we drove some 550 km to get finally back home. Can I just mention that Tobi forgot his Credit Card which he's noticed when he tried to pay for fuel at a petrol station in Poland so the whole trip was basically his birthday present. You‘re very welcome darling.

Road Trip to Poland - Poznań

Last year we celebrated Tobi' birthday at the Vabali Day Spa, this year we've decided to go on a Road Trip to Poland. The city of Poznań and Oświęcim will be our destination. The first leg of our trip we travelled roughly 270 km to arrive in Poznań. 

We were totally surprised how beautiful the old part of the inner city is, the market place such a lovely spot and very clean. As we arrived there around lunch time, we headed straight away for the food stalls to have some Polish Cuisine, some sort of Sauerkraut but made differently compared to the German Sauerkraut and Polish Sausages. 

Later on, we went on a sightseeing tour by foot and again we were impressed on how many churches we came by, very interesting and beautiful. Now and then we had a look inside those churches. Also positive to mention are the Bakeries and Cafes as well as Restaurants and the food, just delicious. 

And so, our first leg of the trip was over and we continued on to get to Oświęcim (back then better known as Auschwitz).

Commencing the Swimming Season

Even though the water temperatures are still chilly, today is the day we are dipping in. The water also needs some more treatments in order to clear up otherwise I'm pretty happy with result.

The paving around the pool we are not going to start this summer as other projects are more of a priority. However, next season we will have a cover as well as pavement.

Nevertheless, we can enjoy a season full of refreshing cool downs as another hot summer has been predicted.  

Happy Mother's Day

To Mom from Thomas and Kathrin

Dear Mum….we wish you a Happy Mothers Day

Lots of love, hugs and kisses

Project 2019 - Fassade - Insulation...continues

Our project for 2019 progresses with the help of a few friends and family members. What else do you have friends and family for? While the guys were working on the scaffolding the ladies worked the kitchen. We actually worked in heh kitchen preparing food as this is the least we could do and we had lots of fun.

So far the rockwool insulation has been attached to almost all areas of the house. Next step was to covered it up and give it a layer to protect the insulation from the rain and make it more durable. Later the plaster will be applied but that will happen more towards the end of summer maybe beginning of autumn.

At the end of this weekend we have progressed quite a bit and we can not thank everyone enough for the help and support. I guess I will post a few more updates of the progress on the project during the summer.