Boules in the Magniviertal and a Falling of Conkers.

The day was very warm but cloudy, so thankfully,  it was not the predicted 28c it should have been.  I was glad, I do not like being out and about in the heat.  This morning I finally completed the PP talk, and by lunchtime needed a walk and some fresh air.  I walked  to Weserstrasse, caught the M3 tram into town and  wandered into the Magniviertal where  I sat and watched this game of Boules.  What a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon, all so quiet and gentle.    Further on is a lovely  park at Loewenwall,  where a huge monument (like Cleopatra's Needle in London) stands in the centre and commemorates Kaiser Friedrich Wilhelm.  Two pleasant fountains play each side of the momument. 

I found myself a comfy seat under a tree and began to read my book, "The Old Man and The Sea."   Suddenly I heard a clonk, then another clonk, and finally another clonk,  when a huge pod with conker landed in my lap!   I was sitting under a Chestnut tree in full fruit, and it was shedding its conkers as the wind blew through its branches.  I became aware that the whole park was lined with Chestnut trees, and there were conkers strewn everywhere across the grass and the gravel paths.   I like conkers, especially when newly persuaded out of their prickly pods.   The photos were taken on my phone, so are a little fuzzy.  I forgot to take my Lumix with me today.

Going Mad on the Computer and a Lovely Autumn Day in Braunschweig.

It was lovely in the city this afternoon, very busy, but  a lovely atmosphere with music playing and people sitting out in the squares eating and drinking. (What a pity we don't have more places like  this in Devizes.)  Near the cathedral was a street fair with a "Merry- go round" for children.  Everyone looked happy in the afternoon shade.  I'd spent this morning preparing my PP talk and selecting photos.   After three hours on the PC uploading pictures, writing captions and correcting my spelling,  I needed a break and also I had to go out for a loaf of bread and some fruit.   The shops are not open here on  Sundays, so I have to do a bit of forward planning for that day.

Below is a photo of the elevation of the K&A Canal from Bath to Newbury.   In order not to cause "Torture by Power Point" I am trying to introduce some diagrams into my talk.  I've started a crib sheet, with a few key points and dates to put the history of the canal in context.   I'll talk about the water supply, (or lack of) a subject I find most interesting.   John Rennie, the engineer,  built a long pound and summit level to collect water for the canal, with Crofton pumping station at the top, in the hope of keeping the summit well in water.

The canal constantly loses water down hill as boats descend the locks.  Rennie was not successful as, from time to time,  the canal suffered cronic water shortages and the barges grounded.   It was not until the 1990s that modern electric pumps were installed in order to constantly replace water at the summit, below the Caen Hill flight of 29 locks and at Claverton, just outside Bath.   The rivers of course, feed the canal at various locations.  I hope I can talk for England on Thursday 15th.   (I'm sure I can.)

Leaving the Choir, I needed several hankies!

Last night I sang for the last time with my lovely choir, and I was so sorry to leave them.  They have all been wonderful, so friendly and welcoming and they made me feel at home right from my first visit in early May.  As an "Aufwiedersehen" they asked me what music  I'd like them to sing.   "Aennchen von Tharau, Little Ann from Tharau," was my answer.  I sat in front of the choir while they sang the lovely old German folk song, and of course, I was in floods of tears!  Luckily the ladies were armed with plenty of tissues, so I sobbed my way through the  four verses, some of which I know virtually by heart.  I shall be back to sing in May 2012,  so I've only six months to go before we are all together again.

The photo above shows the choir singing in Adenbuettel in May 2011, I have CDs of both our concerts.  I'm standing in the front row, the short lady fifth from the left.  The photo below was taken last night at my last practise.  Fortunately my red eyes are hidden behind my glasses.  The choir consists of about 30 members and sings mostly German folk songs and music by  Bach, Schubert and Brahms.  Singing with them in German has been one of the most interesting things I have ever done in my life.  At my first practise with them in May, I could not believe my good fortune, the sound of the German words was music to my ears.  Lovely!

Mountain Ash Berries, Hard Winter?

If my memory serves me right, these are Mountain Ash berries.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.  They are profuse this year, hanging heavily in the trees in the parks and along the streets.  Does this mean a hard winter?  Are the hedgehogs hibernating early?  Tonight I say "Aufwiedersehen" to my choir.  I am sorry to leave, but I shall be back next year to enjoy more singing.  Last week we sang songs by Schubert and Brahms,  ahhh to sing in proper German is wonderful.  I bought two big boxes of chocolates today for my "Aufwiedersehen, see you again in May 2012" nibbles tonight.   I'll say a big thank you to the choir for making me feel so welcome, and a friend will translate my message into German.   I won't be able to string a German sentence together if I get all weepy and emotional.  Boo hoo, boo hoo!   I have my hankie at the ready. 

21.30, back from choir where I got very emotional.  I'll report back tomorrow.

My time here has gone so quickly, and although I have another four weeks to go, I've started sorting my things, deciding what to take back, what to leave here with Janet and what throw away.  I have many intesting leaflets, but I cannot take everything home with me, and the books that I've bought will add a few extra kilos to my baggage.

A Modern Setting of Turandot. I loved it, even though it rained!

Here's the Turandot set during the interval, all red and very formal.  The modern setting gave the performance a "Chairman Mao" feel, with the crowd of 75 officials all dressed in identical grey suits, white shirts, red ties, black rimmed glasses and with their shiny black hair combed back and greased against  their heads.  It  was  a very  militaristic affair, with Turandot as a large Valkurie like, sword wielding man hater.   She  questioned the Prince who gave her the correct answers to her riddles and, "Oh, dear" she had won herself a man and was not happy!  The Prince says he will leave her if she can anwser his question, "What is my name?"  He then sings the aria  "Nessun dorma" none shall sleep this night until they know my name.  As the Prince sang, a settled silence  overcame the audience, and we wallowed in the beauty of this well known music.  

I really enjoyed the stirring performance, but would like to see it in a more historical setting, with a beautiful Turandot.  For a Prince to fall instantly in love with an aggressive,  sword wielding, ice cold woman, she should have been really beautiful, worth dying for by instant execution.   "Black Widow" Turnadot did not suspend my disbelief, but overall it was a good, passionate production.

I read a synopsis last week, so could follow what was happening, but as I find with my music, I need to see and hear several different productions to get the most out of a work.   Whilst I love singing oratorio, I'm not particularly a lover of opera, and feel I should subject myself to the art, as Im sure I'm missing something.  I have recordings of operatic arias, but not in context.   They are wonderful and very emotional, and I do like passionate emotion, tradegy, comedy, love, hated, the full panoply of the human condition!

Below from right in wet weather gear sit: Monika, Ralph, Karin and Karl.  Donau their doggy is not an opera lover, so stayed at home. 

Turandot Tonight in the Burgplatz at 19.30. Fingers Crossed for Dry Weather.

We're hoping to watch "Turandot" tonight, after our performance on August 26th was postponed because of torrential rain, vertical lightning, thunder and pond sized  puddles.  This morning I bought the "during the performance nibbles," some full cream milk chocolate coated peanuts, called "Peanut Mountains," they look soooo tasty.   I will write about  "Turandot" in Wednesday's Blog.    Last night I watched the US Open Tennis, and  became totally exhausted  watching  the 16/14 mammoth tie break for the first set between Jkokovic and  Dolgopolov.  Did anyone else witness this power struggle between two equally talented players?  It was wonderful play, with each player matching the other point for point.  I was glad when it was over and could go to bed in settled peace.  

It is very cool here today with  gentle sunshine and a breeze.  This morning  I bought yet more strong, smelly cheese.   When I leave Timmerlah in October will there be a big dent in the "German Smelly Cheese Sales Figures for April/October 2011?"   Hahahaha!

Autumn's in the Air

I took the two photos here tonight as the sun was going down and leaving a golden light cross the field of beet, as yet unharvested.   On a distant hill is Zyphrus, my favourite windmill, who has never stopped turning for the last five months.  In the centre can be seen in the far distance  "The Brocken" the hightest point in the Harz.  I can view  a vast wideness  of sky from my windows,  and I shall miss this scene when I return to Devizes. 

I had a quiet day today, I went to the two English groups this morning where we struggled with English and German, and then came home in the gentle mid afternoon warmth to a nice cuppa and a biscuit.   I feel my stay is drawing to a close, and I can feel the "Goodbyes" overwhelming me.   This Thursday will be my last choir practise, and I have to thank all the singers for making me feel so welcome, I shall be sad.  Tomorrow evening we visit the open air theatre to see "Turandot."   Cross your fingers that it does not rain as it did before, I shall be so disappointed if it is cancelled  again.