24 - 30 May 2010

Each week the small world phenomenon can be examined, through general chit-chat, as Justine and Simon find their link through six degrees of separation to their Oberammergau guests. This week, on the occasion of her 40th birthday, Justine was delighted to discover that amongst her first guests were some with only one degree of separation, who have now been promoted to 'no degree' friends!

17 - 23 May 2010

When the dust (of the volcanic type) had finally settled, Simon's first guests arrived, just a couple of days late, and his first week of the routine that we are to follow for the next 20 weeks, began in earnest. Caspar has discovered an appreciative audience for his accordian playing, and that music making can be lucrative, a few cents from each guest and he's on to a tidy little earner. He has never been so motivated at practice time. Simon thinks if all the guests are as nice as his first, we'll have a lovely summer.

10 - 16 May 2010

A visit to England always highlights what we lack in Austria - like bluebells and hedges. A wonderful early birthday tea party for Justine with lovely friends, and we were made aware that, no matter how welcoming our Austrian friends are, our shared history only starts in 2007, and with different cultural backgrounds we are unlikely to find common early experiences and memories. These things strengthen bonds, and nothing more so than the shared experience of bringing up children. As someone once wrote in Justine's autograph book - 'When choosing new friends, remember the old, for new ones are silver and old ones are gold'.

3 - 9 May 2010

'There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.' Right now is our family season and Austria makes that possible for us. We hope for a future England season, Simon for a bell-ringing season, Justine for a book group season, a living in a nice house with a garden season, a proper job again season. The perfect work life balance is balanced out over a lifetime - trying to have everything, all at once, for all time, can be exhausting. We'll enjoy our satsumas at Christmas and our strawberries in the summer and try and stay in tune with our seasons. 'God has made everything beautiful in its time.'