It’s been such a peaceful and relaxing day. Walk along the beach this morning, reading and a nap this afternoon, mum made steak pie for dinner, then the Dench documentary.

Just watched the Judi Dench Shakespeare thing. Quite lovely. I miss these quiet, gentle documentaries. Must try and watch more Channel 4 - I hope I can access in Germany somehow.

I’ve often heard people here say that you can’t say you’ve lived in Germany if you’ve only lived in Berlin. Perhaps partly to do with Berlin’s history as an enclave, but also cause it’s a huge metropolitan area. Life is different there than in small towns and villages.

When I commented that our baby had a completely different personality than our two year old, our paediatrician said he can spot traits in newborns that are still identifiable when they are teenagers. It took me a while to realise it meant I had to parent them differently!

Recently squeezed mine in between these two cause they looked so good together. I hope it made some people smile.

Some images snapped during an architectural meander through Berlin by UK Brutalism photographer Tom 8enjamin ... www.slowtravelberlin.com/photo-essay-...

Tomorrow is my birthday, and I’ve asked to be dropped off at the V&A - alone - to view the Garden Futures exhibition. No one to rush me or ask ‘Can we go now’, I can view the museum at my own pace. Afterwards, am meeting family for afternoon tea. Then friends over for drinks in evening.

It's the national year of reading in the uk in 2026. Instead of asking "why don't kids read any more", ask "how can I help them find the stories (and non fic) they will fall in love with". Less "get off my lawn whippersnappers" and more "come, sit on the lawn, here's a comic".

Once again, Dietrich Bonhoeffer's New Year's song, written from a Nazi prison, finding hope still. "will das alte unsre Herzen quälen, noch drückt uns böser Tage schwere Last. Ach Herr, gib unsern aufgeschreckten Seelen das Heil, für das du uns geschaffen hast." youtu.be/Spr-LwA0CxI?...

Stop scrolling for a minute and watch the waves gently break on a Scottish beach.

Good morning everybody from a country where you could set off explosives till 6am this morning but if you hoover at 11am the state authorities can literally fine you. 👍👍👍

„Und nun wollen wir glauben an ein langes Jahr, das uns gegeben ist, neu, unberührt, voll nie gewesener Dinge, voll nie getaner Arbeit, voll Aufgabe, Anspruch und Zumutung; und wollen sehen, dass wir's nehmen lernen." Guten Morgen mit Rainer Maria Rilke 

I bought this for my mum for Xmas. Slightly macabre, perhaps, but she loves it and has been going through it since. It also gave rise to a conversation between my brother and I about the china cabinet and its contents, and who is getting what.

On the very last day of the year, I’m finishing strong with the Bargain of the Year. A handmade shoe at TK Maxx for £120. These retail at €590 in Germany.

“Married less to the man than to the woman silvering within the mirror.” Love this.

darf man pfand aus 2025 auch im neuen jahr noch wegbringen oder geht das nicht wegen jahresabschluss usw

Spent days searching the house for a diffuser cause my mum insisted she has one somewhere. Turns out, she thought this was a diffuser.

The Spittal of Glenshee between Blairgowrie and Braemar is spectacular at any if the year, but there's something magical about frosty, sunny days in the Highlands.

I liked this one on a tea/coffee machine. When you've been so bad, regular hell won't be enough...

My dad has been gone four years now and on this trip to Scotland, I noticed my 81yr old mum is now sleeping on his side of the bed. ‘Well, I decided that my side of the mattress would get used up faster, so I’m going to sleep on his side for three years and then switch sides every year.’

When your brother is a chef, you eat well.

What a gorgeous day - drove from Dundee to House of Bruar, then via Kirkmichael and Glenshee to Braemar.

Sounds like a heart-warming Netflix film about a group of nuns and friars battling to stay in their home.

Today, my etymological doublet series is coming to an end with an episode on German, on request of several people. The orange German words on the right have the same origin as the blue ones on the right, but they took a very different path. Many of the examples are courtesy of Matthieu Pierens.

please do not teach the goats italian

Stand by for highland photos tomorrow as we head north for the day.

Forgot to share the photos of the Forth Bridge from the train - considering they were taken at night with the phone pressed against the dirty train window, they turned out not bad.

A great example of bad copywriting. Confusing, too much unnecessary information, and doesn’t provide actual helpful information such as where the nearest cash machine is, or when the replacement will be available.

Husband laughing at the very British station announcement: If you see anything out of the ordinary, please contact a member of staff.

Me too, typewriter. Me too.

Also. Bought a baby bunny - a lookalike of my daughter’s childhood toy. Officially for my daughter, but not sure I can part with her. She’s so soft.

Funny moments from our day - A young woman at the airport with her hair in those wrap things to make waves. She’s going to look great when she gets where she’s going. A group of women in Edinburgh in sparkles, heels, leopard print, fake fur, and glitter having a blast.

For my German speaking followers.. Jetzt in der ARD Mediathek. So toll

Feeling a bit better about our trip to Scotland tonight after a lovely day. Train/plane/tram (mostly) punctual. Wander around Edinburgh Xmas market, then a delicious steak pie in a pub with live music. And my first ever espresso martini.

St. Rochus in Jülich, Germany. Formerly a church, now a bicycle shop. r/brutalism

A new year’s wish that we all start framing paying taxes as positive and patriotic contribution to a better world for all. Thank you Anthony Joshua! I’ve just paid mine too. They were quite a lot less than yours, but for some reason most historians don’t earn £68.5m.

First time we’ve flown since the ETA thing came in. Just had to go to the desk at the gate for them to recheck all passports. They then gave us this ticket. Husband was asked if he’d done the ETA, but no one checked it. This doesn’t feel like it’s all been worked out properly.

Morning. Adding to the confusion inherent to the time ‘between the years’, as we say in Germany — I’m off to Scotland today. It seemed like a good idea when we booked flights, but now I’m slightly regretting it - it’ll be the first time I’ve not spent my birthday with my kids.

Y’all might not appreciate it, but it took him 87 moves and 14 hours to get here

Freaking love this city and all the people in it so much….a bunch of people went and turned the 4 train into the Polar Express giving out toys to kids along the way from the Bronx to Brooklyn….shoutout to the @newyorkers.live account on IG for doing this 🙏 www.instagram.com/reel/DSnsvWS...

Avis aux gens à Strasbourg et environs, amoureux de plantes, j'espère que Bluesky pourra faire sa magie: Suite au décès de mon grand-père, on a beaucoup de géraniums et deux beaux lauriers roses qui cherchent une nouvelle maison. Dans l'idéal, il faudrait que vous soyez véhiculés.

Simultaneously the most British and the most German thing you’ll read this year.

Today, thoughts inevitably turn to a man whose life and death will always be associated with this time of year – a man whose purity of heart and good works alike contain, I think, the true spirit of the season.

The calm after the storm. Everyone has abandoned ship and gone for a lie down. I’m alone in the living room with my wine and Himmlischen Pralinen.

Martin Parr, absolute mensch. From Colin Wilkinson, founder of Bluecoat Press, on FB

Carol of the Bells in # Kyiv subway. Voices of the Embassies of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom came together to perform Shchedryk in the Kyiv metro as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine. Thankful to everyone who stands with us!

Extraordinary story.

One good thing about the kids not getting up for hours — leaves me loads of time to catch up on #DuvetKnowItsChristmas. Always a delight.

I’m entering The Teenager as potential winner of #Duvetknowitschristmas He’s had to move from his bedroom to the unconverted attic Cardboard floor & headboard is a nice touch which I’m sure he appreciates He think it looks like he’s living in a meth den #DuvetKnowItsChristmas