Sunday, January 31, 2010

GIRL'S NIGHT - FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 2010

Carla and Gaynor just before eating. I met Carla at a Ladies Day back in 2006. She lives here in Schopfheim and we often meet in the street or on the train. She's a lovely friend and we have meals with her here or try and catch up for coffee whenever we can.

I met Johanna through the German Church we go to in Loerrach. When we first arrived Johanna, Erik and Juro took us to Church in their car each Sunday. They have been such great friends to us, always looking out for us, inviting us for meals, playing games together, walking.

We had been here 2 months when we went to a local pub for English chatting (and to see who was there). Marianne was at the pub as she was wanting to improve her English. We instantly had a connection - and the rest is history. I absolutely adore her and love spending time together whenever we get the opportunity. Marianne lives up in the mountains about 35 min. from our place and she is a teacher. We are the same age!!

We met Anke and her South African husband Francois through our Mosaic website actually. They moved from England and eventually have settled in Schopfheim.

This post is purely for me really! I am going to cherish my Girl's Nights held here in our home in Schopfheim. If I'm lucky I will have 7 more! Carla has told me I must have one everyone month until we head back to Australia. Carla made a yummy chicken dish, Marianne brought the most delicious salad, Anke brought dessert, I made rice and Johanna brought wine! We always have such good laughs together and this time we were googling together and being rather silly!! We watched clips of Susan Boyle, The Ten Tenors, Kevin Costner (trying to sing) and Oettinger trying to speak English. We were in fits of laughter.

We decided we had to celebrate our birthdays in the months we have left. Carla's is in October so I told her she could have February or May!!

So, you can imagine, when I wanted to get a good group photo of my 4 girls, they just weren't co-operating. I've decided to post the 4 photo's just to teach them a lesson!!! I just love these ladies and am trying not to think about life without them. It's hard.


Johanna, Marianne, Carla and Anke





PS Just to let you know Roger wasn't out in the cold while I was having fun with the girls. He met a friend from Basel in one of our lovely local Gasthauses and they thoroughly enjoyed being entertained by a lively band. They had a great time together!! Roger did have to help me with the dishes Saturday morning!!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Boxing Day walk




We awoke to the most glorious sunny but bitter cold day on 26 December 2010. Having eaten so much the day before we thought it a good idea to go for a 8 km hike up the hill just at the back of our place. It sure is up, up, up and a good test of our fitness. But we made it without too much trouble and it was worth the effort as the views are spectacular. We knew we'd be able to see the Swiss Alps from the top. We climbed Hohe Flum for a better view (a tower right at the top of the hill and no mean feat for me as I don't like ricketty, wooden stairs at all). But I was determined to do it, just for the view. There were so many people out and about enjoying the sunshine and the exercise.


The Swiss Alps (you can just see them) from Hohe Flum

A view of Schopfheim. We never tire of this beautiful view
Yes, there was a little snow on the hills in the distance!

Christmas Day - back tracking!!


I have so many photo's I want to share with my family and friends the best place is here on my blog. Apologies that I haven't blogged for such a long time. Life seems to have taken a dramatic turn for us and sometimes I find it hard to write, especially when I'm not feeling very happy.

Christmas Day was spent with good friends who came from Basel and France. We ate so much food and had so many laughs it was a great day and eventually ended with goodbyes at 10pm. We didn't have snow on the day, so I still can't say I've had a white Christmas. Oh well!!


Around the table - Gaynor, Uli, Mark, Francoise, Kevin and Ilona


Uli and Francoise


Mark and Kevin


Here we all are with the salmon!

Ilona and Gaynor

Mark was insisting the salt grinder wasn't working!!




The flaming Christmas Pudding made by Kevin. Very, very yummy! Very, very filling!!