The Unexpected Treasures Of Our Eisenberg.

A holiday haven we call home...

Imagine my surprise when I turned to walk this way. A welcoming committee or rather a new sheriff in town? A flock of sheep has absconded...who might the ringleader be?

These moments are what make our area so special. Where else can one go for a walk and stumble across a flock of sheep on the run? Priceless.

A perfect place to unwind from stress and city living.

A local Kellerstock to rent seen from the other side of the path. An oasis of tranquility amid a splendid vineyard. Books, wine and chocolates...not much else needed.

A walk accompanied by the base sounds of Mr Woodpecker pecking away.

A pair of geese shooting the breeze.

Biggi

Carlsbad Spa In The Czech Republic, Moser Glassware & History Galore.

Our area of Europe is steeped in the most amazing history.

In our era of now, today, this second & can't miss a thing, even the art of taking in the waters at a spa is not what it used to be. The idea of going for a fortnight has been eschewed for a quick weekend. Not the best way to relax at a spa now is it?

Any Georgette Heyer fan worth her salt will know the importance of going to a spa to partake in the waters. Apart from the health benefit, it is a social highlight of course. Bob and I saw a series of programs about the world famous spa in Carlsbad Here is a list of all the places to stay.. We saw, fell in love with it and both of us made plans to someday be part of the water experience.

Gosh, the Czech Republic was almost an abstract name of a country. One that I have never been to, but one that I do want to visit very soon. It is so beautiful and just on our doorstep. Granted, we only saw a program on the spa region but it did the trick.

There are a series of spas in that area and they have hosted Goethe, Beethoven, Mozart and many more royals and celebrities throughout the ages. The fountains might be sprouting the eternal hot spring water but the buildings and gardens firmly sprout forth a sense of history, culture and maybe a few love intrigues through time.

Living in the heart of Europe ( yes, Burgenland has yet another plus for it ) gives us the opportunity to experience history firsthand instead of from the pages of a history book. Carlsbad, is about six hours drive from us and as only happens in Europe, even the drive there might be littered with historical spots of interest and beauty. A six hour drive could easily stretch into a six week one...

Oh, should a Viennese read this, I might be in a tad of trouble, because they are even more central in the heart of Europe. Vienna itself is of course the forerunner of anything to do with history, beauty and is a must see when one is in Europe. For those not fond of history, the Sacher Torte alone will pied pipe them to Vienna.

The cherry on the cake was when they mentioned the worlds finest Glassware company Moser Glass was only a whisker away. No, not glasses you buy at a chain store, but glassware that is used by royalty especially for weddings and state functions.

The glasses produced are of the highest quality and fit for a king, or someone with enough wherewithal to experience a royal pleasure while savouring their drink of choice from the golden rim of a Moser Glass.

Biggi

Does Anyone Know What Day Of The Week It Is?

The deceptiveness of Christmas and New Year.

We count down the days like clockwork and know to the second of when it all is about to begin. A last mad dash through the shops to get those " oh, I mustn't forget so and so " gifts, which are, let's face it, the leftovers of the conscientious shopper. Those, who finish their Christmas shopping in October. Yes, they do exist...

Finally, when Christmas Eve is here and we've put on the stretch pants that we all need over the coming weeks, we start to relax. Relax and eat our way through the mountain of sweets and treats that seem obligatory for this time of year. Not many who can resist that particular lure of homemade Christmas cookies and roast chicken / ham / beef coupled with the knowledge that your house is filled with chocolates, pralines and Lebkuchen!

Usually, by the end of Boxing day we start to lose all sense of time and discipline. A few days in a row with nothing to do except eat, drink and watch movies can do that to you. By the way, it is the best feeling in the world. Staying up late ( or not ) and knowing that the following morning you can sleep in ( or not ) at your leisure.

The end of Christmas isn't bad either because it heralds the next holiday, New Years. The only stressful or worrying thought on the horizon is that your clothes are starting to pinch. Hooray for stretch pants.

Of course Bob is adamant that our washing machine is on the fritz because it shrunk all his clothes.

Even as I write this, I am still not quite sure what weekday it is. Somehow, most days seem like Monday and it is rather nice to realize that in fact it isn't and the weekend is a mere hopscotch away.

Losing all sense of time is a sign of a successful holiday. Thankfully we stayed at home and thus had each and every day of these last few weeks at our disposal. Thank goodness we didn't get bitten by the we need to get away to some other place than home bug. Isn't it ironic that when you pay to go away, far from forgetting what day it is you end up counting down the days until you have to go back home...

Did we do anything industrious? No, we watched movies, we read books, we visited family, we ate too much and most importantly we had a fabulous time being at home together.

Biggi

Do You Also Notice How Fast Time Goes From One Christmas To The Next?

Are we getting older or is time really speeding up?

These last few weeks I have been rather un-infused with that Christmas Spirit. Oh, I do sing along to the numerous carols playing everywhere, but that whole

" oh gosh, what should I get for so and so / oh, what will I get from so and so "

was not on my agenda. Years of working that hectic Christmas schedule ( one that can only happen in Malls where the Landlord gets a share of turnover...p/s: most shopkeepers don't work those long hours by choice ), made me see the holidays as just a jolly nice break from work. Sometimes two days, sometimes three depending on whether it was a weekend Christmas or not.

This morning I glanced at the TV schedule and the day seems filled with festive movies. Movies I saw as a child and as stupid as it sounds, seeing the TV schedule has kind of lit the Christmas Spirit!

Anyway, I have been busy visiting all over the village and it hasn't escaped my notice that even in our small community, the local shop was akin to a honeypot and bees. At one stage it was impossible to drive past. Yes, it is on the main road through the village, but out of habit most villagers will park where there is free space. Road or not!

This might tickle any South African's fancy: Half the cars parked outside the village shop are left with the motor running and doors unlocked. No one in said car! Oh, yes, a lot of locals don't see the point of switching off the engine when they pop in for a pint of milk and a loaf of bread. Wouldn't happen in South Africa, would it?

For some reason most of us tend to think that there won't be food available after Christmas. Odds and ends that we never ever eat, are part of our shop. In the case of our village shop, the crowds might also have been there in order to see others and hear some juicy seasonal gossip. During the Wintry month most keep indoors and the font of tidbits dwindles to a trickle. Don't every discount the importance of ' knowledge ' in a small community...

Bob has been planing to make a banana bread to bring to my parents for Christmas pudding. Bob being Bob, he has even researched on Google for a more finicky recipe. Yesterday, he took off to go shopping to Kohfidisch Spar. A trip long enough to warrant a lengthy search for his favourite CD. A one way trip to Kohfidisch lasts about 2,5 songs!

Anyway, as happens in Coupledom, I asked whether I could make him a list of other things we need.

" Oh don't bother with a list. I don't need one as I am just going to go along the isle and know what we need. "

Far be it from me to quibble with a master shopper ( he is, truly ).

When I asked him if he had remembered the Mozzarella, he owned up that it was such a crush in the Supermarket that all thoughts of shopping left him. Having almost been run over by a zealous shopper and her full trolley, he just got a few essentials and hot footed it out of there.

Even with the shopping trip cut short, our fridge and cupboards are filled. Lovely. Being able to eat well on Christmas and through the festive season is not a given anymore in today's times. Anyway, have a lovely and merry Christmas.

As for getting older: I had an English extra lesson with one of the kids, and there was a sentence with the phrase U2 which had to be matched with another sentence that had the word CD in it. For some reason he didn't get it and when I asked him if he knew what U2 was, he didn't have a clue....oh what a sobering leveler!

Biggi

A Last Minute Gift For Those Hard To Buy For Teenagers.

A gift that is perfect and long lasting...

You might not even have to go to an old age home to find lonely people that you know. Everyone has someone in their peripheral that is alone during the holidays.

Your teenage kids more than likely have everything they could want or need. Aren't their cupboards and rooms getting to small for all the stuff they have? What to buy them? Why not give them the gift of uplifting another person?

Take them to a bakery or shop and let them buy several trays of packaged holiday cookies. Let them choose them and if they want to, also gift wrap them. Let them know, that the cookies they choose are bought with money that would have been meant for their gift. Let them own it, so to say!

The next step is easy. Drive to the local old age home ( or a lonely person you know ) and ask at reception, who is alone during the Festive season. Such as not having any family coming to visit.

Your kids don't need to stay long with each person. Just long enough to give a gift to someone who will appreciate it beyond measure. You'll probably notice that once they get to see the joy and sheer pleasure they have given, that they might want to stay a few minutes for a chat.

Look, a lot of you might say:

• That your teenagers couldn't be bothered.
• That they won't want to give up their own gifts.
• That they just don't care.

But here's the thing; How do you know if you don't give them a chance?

Maybe a lot of today's youngsters have never been given a chance, or shown how easy it is to do something nice and altruistic for others...

Biggi

The Attention Span Of Children Leaves Much To Be Desired!

Playing the same game for five minutes seems a lifetime to them.

I have to say again, that teachers need a medal and much more money! Keeping children alert and focused for a whole lesson is an achievement in itself.

Bob and I go to another village further away now ( yes, a 45 km round trip does qualify ) once a week to have English conversation with 6-7 children. Their ages ranges between 4 - 11. Oh, you better believe that they are a nice but a very tough crowd.

They were eagerly waiting for us at the front door as we got there and

" Yeah, Bob and Biggi are here. "

was dominoed at a great decibel through the school. A nice start indeed and I could see Bob was pleased as punch. Already they were jumping about like little colts and asking whether we could play in their gym for part of the lesson.

By request we did a round of Uno, and then Memory. Yes, it seems simple but it does help them learn the English word for odd items ( yes, the makers of these games clearly feel the need to include phrases such as: doing the washing up / pyjamas / wellingtons & driving in a car to name but a few ) But those games are ice breakers and it does give the children a sense of accomplishment.

That is, if they stay focused. Yesterday, five minutes into the game, the first one started:

" Biggi, I want to do something else, this is boring. "

Fair enough, it can be if they don't focus or get any matching squares. This game has 144 pieces and there were 9 of us to play. A 15 minutes affair at best. Yet, the kids only were alert when they had to pick and after that they did the usual stuff:

• pick their nose.
• get up and run around the table
• pinch on the person sitting next to them
• form little mini groups to discuss this that and not the game.

We have been having conversation classes with children for two years now and I have realized and learned that whatever you choose to play or do, they think it is boring after 5-10 minutes. Even if they themselves brought the game along.

As this was only our second lesson there, I thought to myself that they had to understand that we are not going to roll over and give in to their every whim...

" Kids, we are going to finish this game, however long it takes. Only when it is finished can we go to the gym. "

" But it takes so long and I want to play a game in the gym now. "

" Look, if you all pay attention we will finish sooner. When you start something, you have to finish it too, so you might as well play. "

Gosh, even Bob was getting in a state and he kept on stage whispering to me that we should abandon the game and do something else. I believe he mentioned that I was stubborn as a mule to boot...fair enough, but I felt that if we had to have weekly lessons with them, they needed to know that we were in charge and not them. In desperation Bob sweetened the pot with:

" Listen up kids, whoever wins this game gets a big bar of chocolate next week! "

As per usual, bribery seemed to do the trick. At least they were making the effort and as I kept telling them that the sooner they applied themselves the sooner we would go to the gym. I think they understood that I wouldn't budge and resigned themselves to the task ahead.

Here is the funny thing. Once they knew they had no choice but to play they had tremendous fun and were trying to out-smart each other. When finally the last pair of Memory bits were collected, they were happy.

" Kids, I am so proud of you for finishing this game. You worked as a team in the end and look, you got it done. Really, I am very proud of what you achieved "

We had about 10 minutes left and accompanied with a sense of achievement all of us ran to the gym area. When finally we did go home, there was a triage of girls waiting at the front door in order to remind us not to forget the chocolate next week....let's see if they voluntarily pick a game of Memory next time!

Biggi

Do You Remember The 1st Day Of The Summer School Holidays?

School, you only appreciate it after you've left it...

Many a car roof will be the bearer of an unbelievable amount of luggage. Many road maps will be bought or downloaded and many cooler boxes will be packed with sandwiches for the road trip. The annual family holiday to the sea-side, mountains or just a campground. The main thing is to have a holiday together.

This change of routine, even starting with packing the chariot for this annual trip, is a highlight in itself. All the frantic shouting that goes hand in hand with packing a " mobile household " into the family car is welcomed as it means the holiday traffic light is changing from amber to green. Many questions ( outrageous & stupid ) will be bantered back and forth between parents:

" Honey, where are my blue shorts / wheel spanner /
slops / sunglasses / passport / kids? "

" Wherever you placed them last, dear! "
The ideal answer...

" Do I have to do everything around here? Look for it yourself! "
A more realistic reply?

That feeling of going on holiday is the best when you are a kid. Even looking forward to building sand castles, meeting other kids and just not having to go to school. Of course, good luck to parents of teenagers and whisking them away from their staples: Internet, a separate room to be moody in and their friends is far from easy. Somehow, teenagers aren't as thrilled with building sand castles...go figure!

Not every family can or wants to go away on holiday but even staying at home has everyone glad for this break form a tiresome school routine...waking up to get your offspring ready for the school bus can't be much fun. Running around organizing lunch boxes, homework, and finding lost library books can make any Mum's life stressful. I have a sneaking suspicion that Mums have their own countdown to summer holidays and it possibly starts the 1st day of the school year!

The kids in our village are looking forward to spending afternoons at a local swimming bath
( a man-made nature lake ) complete with a few rounds at the tuck shop for ice cream cones, sweets and candies. Late night sessions on their Play-station, X-box or Wii will make them sleep late most mornings.

One of the Mums from the English class, has suggested a overnight ( English ) camping expedition for her boys in our backyard. Bob's rather keen to put up tents and tell scary stories while roasting marshmallows over the camp fire. In fact, he has an ideal vision which of course I dispelled for him rather quickly:

" You know Bob, to make it a realistic outdoor experience for the boys, you'll have to use the long drop in our garden... "

Biggi

Look At These & Then Book Your Trip!

Südburgenland is clearly the place to be seen...

Our area of Südburgenland has great wines. Award winning wines. World class wines. Best of all, they are oh so drinkable wines.

The calibre and award winning quality of our wines & winemakers is enough reason to put us on your holiday itinerary. Heck, you should make us your only entry on this itinerary. But here is the best part: Our area is so stunning and has something for everybody. Nature, bicycle paths, ramblers paths, a quietness that refreshes the spirit and of course vineyards wherever you go
... ( never fear of going thirsty here ).

How is this for colour? Driving around is rewarded with views of note. A little church across the border with stunning rapeseed in the foreground.

Our village with the telltale slopes of the vineyards in the back. Oh, this is wine country through & through.

Can you already see yourself walking or cycling in the midst of this? Just standing there and looking outwards, will make most of your cares slip off your shoulders.

Are your legs itching to get the pedals turning?

A wise old tree in front of the Bildein Church. Can you see how small I am in comparison? Bildein is a ten minute drive from us.

Here is a typical Kellerstöckl to rent that has been refurbished and made into a holiday cottage ( cozy & oh so romantic bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette and a big comfortable table ). Views to thrill because they are right in the midst of the vineyards. Can you see yourself sipping a glass of delectable Grüner Veltliner or Blaufränkisch red?

Yet another beautifully refurbished Kellerstöckl to rent in the vineyard up the hill. Great views and a fabulous restaurant & wine bar within walking distance.

Imagine how nice it is to wake up and look over the vineyards...

Biggi