Am Stocksberg

I am actually writing this in the train on the way to München (Munich), using ‘notes’ . Apparently there is WiFi in this train, but I seem to have trouble connecting, although being logged in. Never mind, I will update this onto the blog at Armin’s house.
We had such a great time in Heilbronn and I would like to thank Pascale, Michael, Ella and Kleine Tessa for their amazing hospitality. Nothing fazed them, even when we fell over like flies, getting sick in a two day rhythm. Luckily it only lasted for 36 hours each, however Tessa is right next to me now, on the train, looking pale and ill. She has a plastic bag on her lap….(today’s update…she never used the bag and we made it to Munich).
On the first day in Heilbronn we all went to the city, had a look at the Weihnachtsmarkt and made sure all the major landmarks, like Killianskirche and the Rathaus were still standing, which they were!
There was even a Merry Go Round…

Oh, one is never too old for a merry go round.

Slightly crazed look on horse and rider!

At this stall one of the dolls suddenly started speaking to the children…

The two little ones were quite enchanted by the talking doll.

This horsing around took up quite some time with various formations of riders.

On one of the mornings Nick and Grosse Tessa even went to Kindergarten with Ella and Kleine Tessa. Ben stayed home and rested that day, as he had been ill the night before. Nick and Grosse Tessa quite enjoyed it there, apparently they spent a lot of time building a stable with blocks and plastic horses and other animals.
That afternoon we took a little trip by car to the next decent sized ‘mountain’, Stocksberg, and went sleighing. It was only a twenty minute car ride and the higher we drove the whiter it turned outside. Once we came out of the car we needed to put on what seemed endless layers of clothing. Pascale had supplied snow trousers for everyone, we all had ski socks, fleeces, ski jackets, hats and gloves. Quite a mission to get dressed. It was clear though that it was needed as it was bitterly cold outside.

The weather really couldn’t have been any better.

Then the fun started with all the ‘bobs’ and the wooden sleigh. Ah no, before the fun started we actually had to walk/stomp/climb up the hill, then the fun started.

Oops, that wasn’t meant to be here again.

Uphill…

Nick, Kleine Tessa und Grosse Tessa had made it up ahead of Pascale, Ben, Ella and I. Suddenly Kleine Tessa came towards us on one of the bobs and while she was trying hard to break, it didn’t quite work and she drove straight into Ella and Pascale. Kleine Ella had her nose hurt and had to cry which was very sad, as she never quite recovered on that hill that day.
Before I could take all of that in however, Nick came towards Ben and I, equally unable to stop and I literally went flying through the air, landing face down in the snow. Ben was also knocked over and neither of us was very impressed with Nick.

Ella, Pascale and Ben

Ben loved the ‘bob’.

We went all the way up regardless and once there, had a great view, beautiful sunshine and an amazing slope. It was steep and very fast. The children had a blast, well except Ella that is, and as Pascale had provided us with gingerbread, lollies and hot Kinderglühwein we were kept reasonably warm, too.
We are really glad we did that trip as the snow has mainly melted since then. We are still optimistic however that Bavaria and München will provide us a show of white.
Will stop here and play some cards with Nick and Ben. Tessa is asleep, plastic bag still empty…