Blogs from Wernigerode, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, Europe

Auch die 18. Woche meines derzeitigen Projektes ist erfolgreich, aber auch ereignislos zu Ende gegangen. Wie so oft fühle ich mich gelangweilt und unterfordert. Aber das hat ja noch nie jemanden interessiert. Es wäre so schön, wenn die Unternehmen regelmäßig Intelligenztests mit ihren Mitarbeitern machen und diese anhand der Ergebnisse einsetzen würden. Aber man verteilt die anspruchsvollen Positionen lieber anhand von dubiosen Wischiwaschi-Kriterien. Die Highlights der letzten 7 Tage waren das schöne Spiel des FC Bayern in Liverpool und am Sonntag ein Ausflug nach Wernigerode. Vor 21 Jahren hatte ich schon mal von meinem Praktikumsort in Wolfsburg einen Abstecher dorthin gemacht und bin dann mit der Bahn auf den Brocken hinauf gefahren. Dabei kann ich mich noch erinnern, dass sich ein paar Ossis darüber mockiert haben, dass ich im dortigen Café kurz mit meinem brandneuen Handy ... read more

Special trip today. A ride on the pretty famous steam railway of the Harz mountains. All the way from Wertingerode to Brucken at the top of the highest mountain in Northern Germany. Not terribly high, only 1100m or so but an exhilarating trip when on a traditional German steam train. Bob had seen details and also watched a Michael Portillo documentary about it so it became his focal point in planning this trip. Up quite early as our train was booked for 9.40 and both Tomtom and Google Maps refused to find us the route to the front of the station. Of course we couldn’t find it again today and ended up on the wrong side of the tracks ( ! ) as we did yesterday when we booked the tickets. We wanted to get there ... read more

Special trip today. A ride on the pretty famous steam railway of the Harz mountains. All the way from Wertingerode to Brucken at the top of the highest mountain in Northern Germany. Not terribly high, only 1100m or so but an exhilarating trip when on a traditional German steam train. Bob had seen details and also watched a Michael Portillo documentary about it so it became his focal point in planning this trip. Up quite early as our train was booked for 9.40 and both Tomtom and Google Maps refused to find us the route to the front of the station. Of course we couldn’t find it again today and ended up on the wrong side of the tracks ( ! ) as we did yesterday when we booked the tickets. We wanted to get there ... read more

Short drive today from one town / one campsite to another. We didn’t rush to leave but still arrived at our campsite, Alte Waldmuhle in Wertingerode by 11am. Weather glorious Reason for visiting this town is to take a ride on the Harz mountain steam railway. Kisbee was excited to be taking another trip so soon and we drove into town and eventually found the station, for some reason not where the Tomtom or Google maps seemed to think it should be. We booked our tickets for tomorrow to go to the top of the mountain, Brocken, and back ..€41 each but sure it will be worth it. We had a wander round the station as one of the steam trains was in. This is a regular scheduled timetable which goes all round the mountains. Our ... read more

20:13 Not a lot to say today. It was our first day of competition, so we spent two hours rehearsing in the morning, then headed into the centre of town for our first class - sacred music. The class was in the church of Saint Sylvester, which is from the 1600s, and has an absolutely lovely acoustic. We sang three pieces - Laus Trium Puerorum, Laudi alla Vergine Maria, and the MacIntyre Ave Maria. Heather was pleased with our performance, so I think we might have a fighting chance there. Our class this evening was in the conference centre (which, surprisingly, also has a decent acoustic. Obviously not as beautifully echo-y as the church, but still able to hear everyone and such), and it was the... Whatever... Class. Not sure what the binding theme was, but ... read more

Northern Germany was brilliant, we stopped off in Hamelin for a feed of Turkish, and saw the Glockenspiel. Story must be true because no rats anywhere. The Harz was really interesting, the home of Witches and Goblins and aparently frequented by the Devil, too. We took the Brockenbahn to the Brocken (thw hghest point in the former DDR, and site of this cool retro-futuristic radio surveillance station). Well worth the trip. First night under canvas, too...and brilliant swimming pool complex at the site.... read more