Remember, Remember the Month of November

December is already three days old, and I have hardly written anything in November. As you know from my previous post, the larger part of October and all of November have, for my family, mostly revolved around my Dad's health.
He came home two weeks ago, and he sounds and looks and behaves like my Dad again more and more every day. (Not that I really see him every day, mind you - but I guess you know what I mean.)
There are still things he can not (yet?) do on his own, but compared to how he was while he was still in hospital, he is doing well and I think we should focus on what he CAN do.
Later this week, physio therapy will pick up again, which will not only mean he'll get out and about a bit more, but also that there will be further progress where his physical strength is concerned.
Thank you all so much for your kind comments and the messages that reached me outside my blog!

What else happened since my last post?

On the 19th/20th, I was in Erfurt for work-related meetings. Erfurt is a city in what used to be the GDR (East Germany) and a place I've never been to before. On the most direct route, it is roughly 320 km from Ludwigsburg. By train, it takes between 4 1/2 and 5 hours.

The hotel was in the historic town centre, and I wish I would have taken a few pictures. However, it was dark by the time I left the hotel with a group of people (we were all booked elsewhere for dinner), and stopping for pictures wasn't convenient. Therefore, all I can show you is my rather large, very clean and quite comfortable room.

Unlike so many hotels in Germany, this one had what I always appreciate: tea & coffee-making facilities! No matter where in England I've been, I've always had a kettle, cups/mugs and a selection of tea bags etc. in the room, even at the most modest hotels or B&Bs. And I am one of those people who simply like to have their first coffee before facing the crowd in the breakfast room, especially when the day ahead is going to be a busy one with many people to listen (and talk) to.

It started to snow on the 20th around lunch time, as this view from the hotel's dining room proves:

Half of the train ride home that evening was through winter wonderland, it was the first snow I've seen this season.

Our Christmas market opened last Tuesday (on the 27th), and my sister and I went to the opening. My sister took these pictures of me as I am going through various "must do's" at the market:

At one of the entrances, now with concrete blocks and huge water bags to stop terrorist attacks.

Queuing for...

...my staple food during the weeks leading up to Christmas!

Choosing cards

Having white mulled wine with slices of ginger - very nice!

Angels spreading their protective wings over the market

The last third of the month saw some impressive clouds and - finally!! - a little rain. It was very welcome! It felt odd having to remember to take an umbrella when leaving the house; for months and months and months, it simply wasn't necessary, because it never rained.

A trip to nearby Marbach was scheduled for the 29th. You have seen the place where I work about once a month before on my blog, for instance in February of this year.
For the first time, I used the panorama option on my phone's camera, taking in the view across the river Neckar from the terrace of the literature museum:

As you can see, it was (yet another!) sunny day, and I enjoyed the walk to and from the train station to the archive and museum. One way takes me about 15 minutes, and I arrived with plenty of time to spare before my scheduled meetings were to begin.

Now November is over, the 1st Advent Sunday is already gone as well, and I am hosting my part of the "Living Advent Calendar" tonight. (I have explained about this here; this year is my 7th year.) As every year, I have no idea who - and how many - are going to show up; it has been a very mild (almost warm!) day with blustering wind and lots of (very welcome) rain, so I do not expect a big turn-out. But we'll see, and I shall duly report!