Monthly Archives: December 2018
Tannenbaum
It is our second Christmas in Germany, and I can’t decide if I prefer the simple white lights used as Christmas decorations here, or the multi-colored ones of North America. I think the white ones are a remnant from the days of wax candles – you didn’t have the options electricity gives. The displays here […]
Another Rink
Yesterday’s post reminded me that I took some pictures of the skating rink at the Christmas Market in front of the Rathaus in Vienna. That rink impressed me with a far more creative approach than most of the other outdoor rinks I have seen in Europe. Instead of a rectangular slab of ice which could […]
The Rink
After a year I have figured it out. The big fuss about skating rinks that is. Last year I saw them in Mullheim and Lippstadt. Outdoor rinks installed around the end of November in public spaces and gone at New Year’s. Skates were available to rent and a good time was had by all. This […]
Time To Dance!
I was at an event at a local church recently when dancing broke out. For those who are shocked at the concept of dancing in a church, I should point out it wasn’t during a worship service. It was at an afternoon café, a drop-in for members of the local refugee community. It is held […]
Under Construction
There are times when I wonder about the pace of life in this corner of Germany. Some things are painfully slow, especially construction projects. There is a street in neighbouring Laufen that was undergoing some repairs when we moved here more than a year ago. They are still working on it, though I must admit […]
Visions of Advent
There is a Christmas Market in in front of the Rathaus (city hall) in Vienna. It is big and colourful with lots for sale. But there is more to it than just commercialism. Part of the market is the Nativity Trail, a series of 12 nativity scenes, different interpretations of the birth of Jesus Christ. Back […]
Sulzburg Christmas Market 2018
In the big cities in Germany the Christmas markets run for a month or longer. The goods on display are slickly made. In sleepy Sulzburg it is a one-day thing, and there is a lot of home-made baking and clothing for sale. And gluhwein of course. The market is open until 8 p.m. local […]
Terror Too Close To Home
When they are far away, they are just news items we may or may not pay attention to. It is different when they happen in your neighbourhood. Throughout the day Wednesday, people in Canada were forwarding me news stories about the terror attack at the Christmas market in Strasbourg, France. It is only an hour’s […]
Thursday Morning
I was thinking today I would post some reflections on Tuesday’s terrorist attack in Strasbourg, France. As I write, the suspect is still at large. Looking at what I had written for today’s post though, I want to let my thoughts percolate for a day or so. I may feel differently tomorrow and want to […]
The Things You Miss
I was walking down a street in Vienna, trailing the rest of my family by a few metres – if I remember, I had stopped to re-tie a shoelace. Then I saw this plaque. I like to read historical plaques – they give a flavour to a neighbourhood, providing interesting information you might otherwise have […]
random thoughts from lorne 
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