Post by Ann on Dec 30, 2014 22:50:00 GMT
My friend Lucinda and I are at the little flat in Oberaudorf to see in the New Year. We travelled out here on 28th, arriving at a snow covered Munich airport late in the evening, but on time. We were very relieved to see that the taxi we'd ordered was waiting for us.
Driving down the street, I commented that it looked like the lights were on in my flat. I'd asked Elli, my lovely neighbour if she'd turn the heating on for us, so I assumed that she'd just thought that it would look nice and welcoming if the light was on as well. Imagine my astonishment when I walked into the living room to be greeted by a fully decorated 7' tall real Christmas tree! It was the lights on the tree that I'd seen.
Heinz and Antje, my immediate neighbours, whose flat is also their second home, had been here for Christmas, but had left for their main home earlier on 28th. We were all sorry to miss each other. Elli had had the idea of moving their tree into my flat so it could continue to give pleasure. What a lovely thought and a fabulous surprise.
The snow has continued fairly relentlessly since we arrived and we're living in a real winter wonderland. The 6" or so that was here when we arrived has grown to somewhere between 15" and 18".
Fortunately we both have snow boots with us and plenty of warm clothes. There's no wind, so being outside isn't as uncomfortable as you'd think. We did perhaps push things when we decided to have a shopping day in Munich today, despite snow being forecast to fall all day long. We arrived there with no problem, and hit the shops with a vengeance. Stopping for a coffee and cake break in the cafe on the 5th floor of one of the department stores we were lucky enough to get a window seat. This was our view.
Coming home wasn't quite so straightforward! There was a general groan as the train left Munich and the conductor announced that it was going to terminate at Rosenheim, instead of continuing down to Kufstein. All went smoothly until we got to the station before Rosenheim. The next announcement was that the station at Rosenheim was closed, but the snow ploughs were at work there and we were to wait in the train for further news. Smokers were told that if they wanted to have a cigarette, they could disembark. About 20 minutes later, without any warning at all, the train began moving, leaving at least one smoker stranded on the platform! After a prolonged wait on the Platform at Rosenheim, a Kufstein train finally came along and we eventually got back to Oberaudorf an hour later than we'd expected. So much for the train companies on the Continent not letting a bit of snow throw them!
Driving down the street, I commented that it looked like the lights were on in my flat. I'd asked Elli, my lovely neighbour if she'd turn the heating on for us, so I assumed that she'd just thought that it would look nice and welcoming if the light was on as well. Imagine my astonishment when I walked into the living room to be greeted by a fully decorated 7' tall real Christmas tree! It was the lights on the tree that I'd seen.
Heinz and Antje, my immediate neighbours, whose flat is also their second home, had been here for Christmas, but had left for their main home earlier on 28th. We were all sorry to miss each other. Elli had had the idea of moving their tree into my flat so it could continue to give pleasure. What a lovely thought and a fabulous surprise.
The snow has continued fairly relentlessly since we arrived and we're living in a real winter wonderland. The 6" or so that was here when we arrived has grown to somewhere between 15" and 18".
Fortunately we both have snow boots with us and plenty of warm clothes. There's no wind, so being outside isn't as uncomfortable as you'd think. We did perhaps push things when we decided to have a shopping day in Munich today, despite snow being forecast to fall all day long. We arrived there with no problem, and hit the shops with a vengeance. Stopping for a coffee and cake break in the cafe on the 5th floor of one of the department stores we were lucky enough to get a window seat. This was our view.
Coming home wasn't quite so straightforward! There was a general groan as the train left Munich and the conductor announced that it was going to terminate at Rosenheim, instead of continuing down to Kufstein. All went smoothly until we got to the station before Rosenheim. The next announcement was that the station at Rosenheim was closed, but the snow ploughs were at work there and we were to wait in the train for further news. Smokers were told that if they wanted to have a cigarette, they could disembark. About 20 minutes later, without any warning at all, the train began moving, leaving at least one smoker stranded on the platform! After a prolonged wait on the Platform at Rosenheim, a Kufstein train finally came along and we eventually got back to Oberaudorf an hour later than we'd expected. So much for the train companies on the Continent not letting a bit of snow throw them!
