So I finally arrived at Munich airport totally shot, but totally excited at 1.30pm on Monday 1st Decemebr after nearly 28 hours travelling! Had a rather interesting seat mate who wouldn´t stop talking, which was great for the first 5 hours... when I decided it was high time to at least pretend to attempt the business of sleeping. Anyway, other than that, fairly unremarkable flight, being of the opinion that flights (after the first few hours) are something to be endured as a means to an end! So glad I was flying through Dubai and not Bangkok though.

Massive snowboard in tow, 28 hours without a shower, freezing cold and almost asleep I made my way by train to Holzkirchen... gorgeously German scenerly out the window beneath the gray winter sky, even a bit of snow! OMG felt like a dream! Ans (Antje - Awsome 72 year old Dutch hiker and adopted Grandma) spotted me through the train window and began waving madly and greeted me with a much needed excited hug as I exited the S-Bahn. Aw it was great to be back in Holzkichen again and I think Holzkichen was glad to see me too, coz it stated snowing!!!!

Being an ex nurse, I was promptly told (after our initial chatter had subsided) that my snowboarding jacket would not suffice in such cold weather, (seeing as I kinda lost my winter coat in tranisit in Melbourne)... so an impromptue coat purchasing mission was in order! So we drove to Miesbach and I bought a nice warm coat from C und A and we played models with all the hats and scarfs in the shop while we chatted away in funny English/Dutch German. Back in Holzkirchen, Ans´s house was homely and unchanged, except for the new kitchen and dinner, a blisful shower and bed followed.

Tuesday was filled with joyful enjoyment off all things German , especially the food and a nice walk through forest and fields around Holzkirchen, then a nice sleepy evening of tv and reading and a trip to the theater to hear a book reasd aloud by a local author... in which I almost fell asleep, but I am so blaming the jetlag!

Wednesday included a trip to the market for Mushroms and a vast improvement in the whole tiredness thing and another lovely walk through the fields before lunch... Then as quickly as I had coem I was off again, this time to Nuernberg!

Arrived at Nuernberg mainstation where Erika was waiting at just the right spot! Erika and her husband Axel are my fairygodparents. In their mid 60´s, but think they´re still 20... 60´s rock band... need I say more!??? Lovely welcome and endless chatter, Abendbrot, my own room and a propper Bed! So awsome!

Erika and I went to the mediaeval town of Rothenbug on Thursday, famous for its Christmasmarket. Aw it was so cute! Everything was decorated all Christmassy and there were street musicians. We drank Gluehwein and wandered through the town taking photos and enjoying all the lovely sights and sounds. Stopped to talk to the cutest little old guy playing the accordian. He was like 97 with no teeth and was all bundled up in cardigans and hats and wore a Santa hat! He´d told us like his whole life story which was pretty amazing and we sang with him and brought him Gluehwein. Aw it was so cute! Had a lovely lunch at a cosy inn...so nice to get outta the3 cold and eventually arrived back at Erikas at 6.30pm, to watch movies and have dinner and of course more wine!

And as for the birthday happenings... they are not yet over, so i shall leave them for the next entry as I´m sure the fun of the day is only just beginning!