In this part of Austria they grow a lot of corn – that’s corn for the animals, not corn for people to eat. And every year it astounds me just how damn high those things can grow. So this year, I took a series of photographs to track the height of the corn. And hey, so I’m not photographer, but I still think the results are pretty cool!
Year: 2017
Saturday at 12
There’s something very exciting that happens at noon every Saturday in Austria – and if you’re lucky enough to be near a fire station at the time… well all the more excitement for you!
The first time it happened my first thought was that war had broken out. Because every Saturday at 12, the fire stations test their sirens.
But yesterday it got even more exhilarating – because the first Saturday in October is THE ANNUAL NATIONAL SIREN TEST!
Hold onto your hats people!
Green Thumbs – Part 3 – The Eating
So how did we go, you may ask? Did we manage to reap what we sowed following the fails of Green Thumbs Part 1 and the improvements of Part 2… well… in the end the results were mixed.
Hornets – those evil bastards
With the end of summer approaching, we finally got around to ordering flyscreens for the windows in our house. A week or two before they were set to be installed, I was nonchalantly brushing my teeth in the bathroom, windows wide open to let out the shower steam, when I was startled by the sound of an approaching 747…
You guessed right – it wasn’t a 747 like I’d initially thought – no it was something much, much worse.
It was an evil hornet.
Short Trips – the Midlands – Four lane roundabouts and a wedding
Recently we were privileged to be invited to a wedding in the Midlands, England. In my mind this conjures up visions of vast expanses of land and rich estates – a kind of Pride and Prejudice meets Downton Abbey – small towns, cute country lanes, rolling hills, hearty food and wide varieties of dialects. My husband and I opted to add a few days of unplanned driving – the aim was to wander aimlessly, traverse the hills, take in whatever sights we happened across, and eat and drink till we burst. Goal achieved! As I mentioned from my last visit to England, my opinion of the country has changed somewhat from being a boring (normal food, English-speaking) destination, into a familiar one that reminds me nostalgically of home.
Crazy Austrian Slippers? Clogs? Sandals? Indoor Shoes?
Before I came to Austria I had no idea that these were suitable footwear for home, work and play.
But I’m wiser now.
Things I love about this town
There’s so much to love about my town! On my frequent runs/walks, I have gathered a collection of some of my favourite sights. Enjoy!
The ducks
Somehow the ducks here seem to be cuter than in other places. Now, I know that’s not true, because ducks fly and are therefore found everywhere, but our ducks always seem to be happy, playing about in the river, regardless of the weather, and just bringing a smile to people’s lips.
Green Thumbs – Part 2 – The Growing
Heading into the start of summer, low and behold, all (ok, most of) the seeds I’d planted sprouted small green leaves. The radishes were thriving so naturally I planted plenty more – so proud. The fail of part 1 became a distant memory.
5 pumpkins and 4 zucchinis emerged, and while I was fully aware that I’d planted too many, I couldn’t quite bear to pull them out. What if some died later? The better idea, I thought, would be to keep them.
Might rethink that next year. What on earth can we do with 60+ zucchinis?
Farewell Grandma – a collection of memories
A few weeks ago I received the inevitable but upsetting call – my grandma had passed away.
I was home alone on a Friday morning and I had no idea what to do with the news. I cried, I called a friend, I cried some more and then I just felt lost.
Because I couldn’t do anything. I was too far away to help my parents out, provide support or attend the funeral. The last time I saw her was 18 months ago. She was in relatively good spirits until the end, though had definitely been on a bit of a downward spiral in the last months. I felt better knowing that she hadn’t been too uncomfortable, had died peacefully in her sleep, and was probably more than ready to let go.
Green Thumbs – Part 1 – The Fail
This year marked our first summer in the house, and therefore, my first chance to start my own ‘vege patch’.
I was an expert gardener, I proclaimed. My younger days helping my dad in the garden obviously meant I knew everything about growing vegetables.
an aussie in austria 