How to start the day 14

(Whetherspoons, Birmingham International Airport)

How to start the day 13

(SYHA Edinburgh Central, 9 Haddington Place, Edinburgh EH7 4AL)

What to wear?

Have been invited to a wedding in Germany in November. Well, technically, only the actual wedding ceremony will be in Germany, with the reception across the border in the Netherlands - I move in cosmopolitan circles you know!

Now, what to wear? In Germany, in winter? Suggestions on a postcard please!

Eins zwei drei

You know how they say you can be as fluent as you like in a foreign language... you'll still end up counting in your mother tongue? Yep - so true. I started belly dancing classes again, and found myself counting "eins, zwei, drei" in my head, while our teacher was shouting "one, two, three". Now, that really is confusing!

How to Start the Day 12

(Frankley Service Station, M5 Southbound)

Portobello Street Market (June 2009)

Pina Bausch (1940-2009)

Ich muss in der Oberstufe gewesen sein, als ich zum ersten Mal ein Stück von Pina Bausch gesehen habe. Viel zu spät. Ich glaube, es war Wiesenland. Dann, während des Studiums, Nur Du. Und letzes Jahr, im "Heimaturlaub" in Wuppertal, Nelken.

Menschen reisen aus der ganzen Welt nach Wuppertal, um das Tanztheater Pina Bausch zu sehen. Sie füllten Theater in New York, London, Paris, Tokio. Und wir Wuppertaler waren stolz auf sie, auf unsere Pina. Pina Bausch und ihre Truppe haben Menschen bewegt, manchmal geärgert, immer Gefühle geweckt, oft glücklich gemacht.

Heute ist Pina Bausch verstorben.

Waiting for Patrick Stewart

Just came back from a day in London town, the afternoon of which was spent watching Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen in 'Waiting for Godot'. And what an amazing production it was. Quite sad though, but I like it when theatre evokes emotions!

Afterwards, I joined the crowds outside the stage door. Erm, when I say crowds, I mean about a dozen of people! This is seriously nothing compared to what I experienced when David Tennant was on stage in Stratford!

Anyway, we spent a little time waiting, and then lo and behold Captain Jean-Luc Picard himself (oops, Patrick Stewart) came outside and patiently gave autographs to all of us.

I even managed to have a serious in-depth conversation with him!

Me: "I loved the play, it was amazing."
Him: "Oh great, thanks" (turns away)

Afterwards, Sir Patrick walked down the road, to boldly go to somewhere else, all hidden behind his baseball cap (I have the same one!) and shades. Oh, and he's a Guardian reader, if anybody is interested (you should be).

Ludlow (March 2009)

Another daytrip with my adorable little car, this time to Shropshire. Here are some pictures of Ludlow Castle:

... Shropshire from up high.