Simply translate into English and scroll down for suggested solutions.
Wir fahren morgen nach Paris.
Wir sind bei Freunden untergebracht.
Freunde, die wir letztes Jahr im Urlaub auf The Isle of Sky kennengelernt haben.
Marlene und Jean.
Wir waren auf einem Bauernhof untergebracht.
Übernachtung mit Frühstück.
Ein schönes bequemes Bett.
Sehr gutes Essen.
Marlene und Jean waren zelten.
Es war billig.
Das Wetter war schrecklich.
Starker Regen.
Nach einem netten Drink in der Pub gingen wir zurück zur Farm.
Marlene und Jean gingen zurück in ihr Zelt.
Eiskalt und nass.
We're going to Paris tomorrow. We are staying with friends. Friends we met on holiday last year on the Isle of Sky. Marlene and Jean. We were staying on a farm. Bed and breakfast. A nice comfortable bed. Very good meals. Marlene and Jean were camping. It was cheap. The weather was terrible. Heavy rain. After a nice drink at the pub, we went back to the farm. Marlene and Jean went back to their tent. Freezing cold and wet.
The Farm at Lane's End - Chapter 16
Key Words and Phrases
Inseparable - always together - impossible to seperate.
Out of the blue - this means something happened unexpectedly (not planned)
To keep in touch - to stay in contact.
In this neck of the woods - in this area. What's happening in your neck of the woods.
There is more than meets the eye - there is more to this story or situation than is obvious.
To take one's leave means to politely leave.
To drift apart - to gradually seperate or lose contact.
Questions
When did the old friends drift apart?
Where did collin go to university?
What did Collin study at university?
Where did Collin become a lawyer?
Is Jean a very nosy woman?
What did the old friends do together when they were young?
Is Bill Guthrie the mayor of Tootenhoe?
What is Bill Guthrie's legal problem?
At what time did Collin leave?
Anita Enichmair
Anita
Enichmair was born and grew up in Austria. But, things could have
been different.
Shortly
after the First World War, a large part of Western Hungary voted to
become part of Austria. Overnight, very many people – Anita
Enichmair’s ancestors included – stopped being Hungarian and
became Austrian instead. And, the changes of then have become the
questions of now.
What
if the people had voted to remain Hungarian? The answer is simple.
Anita Enichmair would have been Hungarian not Austrian, and, she
would have grown up speaking Hungarian not German. And, there would
have been other differences, too. Instead of having her eyes to
the west, Anita Enichmair would have looked east. Budapest, not
Vienna, for weekend shopping.
And,
one more thing, too! Anita Enichmair, if she had been Hungarian and
not Austrian, would still be just as happy in the little Hungarian
village of Nagypeterfalva as she is in the little Austrian village of
Großpetersdorf. They are, after all, the very same place.
And, people, on the whole, never change.
We
are how we are – and not the flag we were born to. Some people walk
into change, whilst for others, it comes in in the night.
Simply translate into English, then scroll down for suggested solutions.
Können Sie mir bitte helfen, den Tisch zu decken?
Die Teller sind im Schrank über dem Kühlschrank.
Die Butter ist im Kühlschrank.
Das Salz und der Pfeffer sind auf dem Regal neben dem Radio.
Der Wein ist im Keller.
Die Messer und Gabeln sind in der oberen Schublade.
Die Platzdeckchen sind in der unteren Schublade.
Die Gläser bewahren wir im Schrank in der Ecke auf.
Wo sind die Servietten?
Welche Servietten?
Die roten Servietten oder die weissen Servietten?
Soll ich die Servietten falten?
Wo sitzt das Baby?
Neben mir.
Um wieviel Uhr ist das Mittagessen?
Solutions
Können Sie mir bitte helfen, den Tisch zu decken? Can you help me lay the table, please?
Die Teller sind im Schrank über dem Kühlschrank. The plates are in the cupboard above the fridge.
Die Butter ist im Kühlschrank. The butter is in the fridge.
Das Salz und der Pfeffer sind auf dem Regal neben dem Radio. The salt and pepper are on the shelf beside the radio.
Der Wein ist im Keller. The wine is in the cellar.
Die Messer und Gabeln sind in der oberen Schublade. The knives and forks are in the top drawer.
Die Platzdeckchen sind in der unteren Schublade. The place mats are in the bottom drawer.
Die Gläser bewahren wir im Schrank in der Ecke auf. We keep the glasses in the cupboard in the corner.
Wo sind die Servietten? Where are the napkins?
Welche Servietten? Which ones?
Die roten Servietten oder die weissen Servietten. The red napkins or the white ones?
Soll ich die Servietten falten? Shall I fold the napkins?
Wo sitzt das Baby? Where is the baby sitting?
Neben mir. Next to me.
Um wieviel Uhr ist das Mittagessen? What time is lunch?
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Peter Rosegger and Old Kramer Teresa - A Mountain Childhood Story
People enjoy looking forward to things that are special. Birthdays, Christmas, and other meaningful days. And, these moments of joy always involve other people. People who are special. And, in his book, *As I was still a Forest Farmer's Son, Peter Rosegger, the Austrian author, thinks kindly back to old Kramer Teresa. She was a very kind old lady and her visits to the Rosseger's farm in the mountains of Austria were moments that were never forgotten.
Old Kramer Teresa came twice a year. Once in the winter and again in the spring. Old Kramer Teresa came selling her goods. And, she carried on her back a kind of chest of drawers in the form of a ruck-sack. And, this chest of drawers on her back was a pack of surprises. And, arriving at the Rosseger's farm house, Old Kramer-Thresel would unpack her wares on the old kitchen table. The children's eyes then opened wide with delight. It was the same every time. This was a moment that didn't come often.
There were sweets to suck and enjoy, mouth-organs to play, brightly painted wooden spoons, tobacco to smoke, pocket knives for carving, small wooden horses on wheels, toy soldiers in colourful uniforms, and, many other things as well. Something for everyone. And, because each boy and girl had kept their promises to behave and be good, the rewards were not long in coming. Each child was given a gift of their very own choice. And, the children were happy and joyful.
And, everyone else was happy as well. Then, after a fine simple meal of sausage and bread, Teresa Kramer went on her way. Into the freshness of green in the spring, and, into the snow and the ice in the winter. And, as Old Kramer Teresa waved happily goodbye the waiting began once again.
Peter Rosegger was born in 1843 and died in 1918. In his book, “As I was still a Forest Farmer's Son”, Peter Rosegger describes his childhood in the mountains of Austria, His book is packed full of interesting stories and is a must for everyone interested in Austrian history.
Moments of magic always involve other people. People who are special. And, in those days, Teresa Kramer was a very special person in the mountains of Austria. A lady who called twice a year with her bag of surprises.
Peter Rosegger - As I was still a Forest Farmer's Son. A book that's well worth the read.
Peter Rosegger and Teresa Kramer – Growing up in the mountains of Austria
*German title – Als ich noch der Waldbauernbub war – Peter Rosegger.
The Farm at Lane's End - Chapter 15 Key words and phrases
Pigsty - a place where pigs are kept.
To fancy something- If you fancy something is something you want or something you want to do. I fancy going out this evening. I fancy a yoghurt for breakfast.
At least- This is the minumum. We haven't seen Sally for at least a year. To stay healthy, one must drink at least 2 litres of water a day.
Something has come up - This means something has happened and you can't come. I'm sorry, something's come up and I must cancel our meeting.
At my place - this means at my house or where I live. Let's meet at my place at seven.
To bump into someone means to meet someone by chance (unplanned). I bumped into Chris this morning.
To spill the beans means to tell all. Come on, tell us what happened. Spill the beans.
Have fun and translate the following into English. Solutions at the bottom. Good luck!
Sollen wir heute Abend Essen ausgehen?
Ich kenne da ein tolles kleines Gasthaus.
Hoffentlich ist es noch da.
Ich war das letzte Mal vor 2 Jahren dort.
Da gab es einen wunderbaren Schweinsbraten.
Es ist lange her, dass wir ausgegangen sind.
Ich habe Gregor letzten Mittwoch gesehen.
Es war der Geburtstag seiner Frau.
Er hat ihr ein wunderbares Geschenk gemacht.
"Malen nach Zahlen".
Gregors Frau ist eine Künstlerin.
Stillleben sind ihr bestes.
Ihr Haus hat viele Stillleben an den Wänden.
Sie sind alle gleich.
Schalen mit Obst und Blumensträuße.
Gregors Frau hat an der VHS malen gelernt.
Shall we go out for dinner this evening? I know a great little guest house. Hopefully, it's still there. I last went there 2 years ago. They used to do a wonderful Schweinsbraten. It's been a long time since we've been out. I saw Gregor last Wednesday. It was his wife's birthday. He gave her a wonderful present. Painting by Numbers. Gregor's wife is an artist. Still lifes are her best. Their house has many still lifes on the walls. They are all the same. Bowls of fruit and bunches of flowers. Gregor's wife learned to paint at the VHS.
Advent in Vienna
Advent is a wonderful time and the Viennese love it. The city is dotted with small Advent markets, and all, more-or-less, exactly the same. A beautifully decorated tree, hot spicy wine, Christmassy things one can buy, a wonderful Advent feeling, and, of course, Advently seasonal music. And, about ten years ago, I was at just such a market, and this is what happened.
I was having a wonderful time. Everything was great and everything Advently perfect. But, it was the choir that provided the spirit of the evening. And, singing mainly in English, they were very, very good. But, the evening went quicker than expected and soon came the very last song.
The conductor turned to the people, thanked them, and wished them a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. And then, after turning back to the choir, closed his eyes, and started conducting the very last number. And, the choir started singing, and the crowd started humming and singing along. It was all very magic.
And, then came the the very last line of this very last song. And, just like a half dying swan in great pain, the conductor, with still tightly closed eyes, raised his arms in an arch, paused for a second, then flutteringly and dramatically brought them back down again for the expected well practised majestic conclusion. But, the choir didn't stop. They simply carried on singing! The last line had not been the last line at all. The singers had been singing from their song sheets and not even looking at the conductor. And, the conductor, because of his tightly closed eyes, had not even noticed he was being ignored.
But, all's well that ends well. With a very red face, the conductor conducted hard to catch up, and, of course, brought the concert to a triumphant conclusion. And, the applause was fantastic. The audience had had a wonderful evening.
And, that's how it was. An evening of magic with with more than one or two glasses of hot spicy wine, and, of course, some Christmassy songs sung by a very fine choir.
Advent. A wonderful time that the Viennese love – and, I love it as well.
Vocabulary
attention - Aufmerksamkeit
conclusion - Schluss
embarrassing – peinlich
expectantly - erwartungsvoll
goes without saying – selbstverständlich
imitating - nachahmen
spirit – Geist
The Farm at Lane's End - Chapter 14
Key Words
Something has come up. This means one must cancel.
I'm sorry, something has come up, I must cancel our meeting this afternoon.
Time on one's hands. This means that one has time to do something. I had time on my hands, so I went to a museum.
Your Poison? This means your prefered drink. What's your poison? I'll have a beer, please.
Questions
Are Paul and Dave going to the Queens for a drink?
Who bought the first round?
Who sent Dave her best regards?
Did Dave and Paul play a round of darts?
Who did they see in the pub?
Who was Sally with?
Does Lionel Foxely come from a very poor family?
Why is Sally interested in Lionel Foxely?
Why did Sally cancel her singling lesson with Dave?
Simply translate into English, then scroll down for suggested solutions. Good Luck!
Ich war letzte Woche im Zoo.
Ich mag Tiere sehr.
Vor allem Löwen und Tiger.
Gregors Frau arbeitet im Zoo.
In der Gorilla-Abteilung.
Gregors Frau hat einen sehr guten Job.
Sie beginnt jeden Morgen um 6 Uhr.
Gregors Frau verkleidet sich dann als Gorilla.
Sie hat ein schönes Gorillakostüm.
Gregors Frau sieht genauso aus wie ein echter Gorilla.
Der Job von Gregors Frau ist ein sehr einfacher Job.
Sie muss nur in einem Käfig sitzen und den Leuten zuwinken.
Die Menschen winken zurück.
Fütterungszeit ist jeden Tag um 4 Uhr.
Viele Leute sehen gerne zu, wie Gregors Frau gefüttert wird.
Jeden Tag das Gleiche.
Ein riesiges Bündel Bananen.
Alle lieben Gregors Frau.
Der beste Gorilla der Welt
I went to the zoo last week. I really like animals. Espeacially lions and tigers. Gregor's wife works in the zoo. In the gorilla department. Gregor's wife has a very good job. She starts every morning at 6. Gregor's wife then dresses up as a gorilla. She has a beautiful gorilla costume. Gregor's wife looks just like a real gorilla. Gregor's wife's job is a very easy job. All she has to do is sit in a cage and wave to the. people. The people wave back. Feeding time is at 4 every day. Many people enjoy watching Gregor's wife being fed. The same every day. A giant bunch of bananas. Everyone loves Gregor's wife. The best gorilla on earth
- - -
The Farm at Lane's End - Chapter 13
Key Words
How about you? What would you like (to drink)?
Elevenses - A short coffee break at around 11 a.m. Usually with a biscuit.
A stick in the mud is a very boring and dull person.
Glued to the box. This is about a person who spends all their time watching TV.
For some strange reason is the same as saying I don't understand the reason.
As poor as a church mouse talks about someone who is very, very poor. (idiom)
Questions
Where are Ken, Jean, and Dave having elevenses?
What will happen if Dave has too many chocolate biscuits?
Who did Jean want to invite for Sunday lunch?
What has Sydney become?
What does Sydney spend most of his time doing?
What was the worst thing for Sydney?
What was Syd's job?
How was Dave's singing lesson?
What is Sally interested in?
What has Farmer Ken ordered?
Why did Farmer Ken order a helicopter?
Is Farmer Ken as poor as a church mouse?
Collecting Time
Time is something that never stops still. Sometimes it crawls and sometimes it races. But, for Andrew J. Roberts, time is a wonderful hobby. His collection of clocks is the finest I've seen.
In his collection, which numbers almost 1000, Andrew J. Roberts has many interesting chronometers. He has grandfather clocks, grandmother clocks, mantelpiece clocks, kitchen clocks, and many other fascinating clocks from all over the world. And, all together, they're worth a small fortune. But, Andrew J. Roberts's favourite time keeping device has neither hands nor a digital display. Andrew J. Roberts's favourite time keeping device is something he couldn't do with out. It's an egg-timer. An hourglass from Egypt with Saharian sand.
When Andrew J. Roberts moved into his very first house, his granny was the first to come calling. And, being a sensible woman, the egg-timer was the present she gave him. And, Andrew J. Roberts found it easy to use. He soon got the hang of it. No winding up and no batteries to change. All very simple. Just a flick of the wrist, that's all. And, after 35 years, this wonderful very old device still keeps perfect time. And, thanks to advanced Egyptian technology, Andrew J. Roberts's soft boiled eggs are always delicious. Never too hard and never too soft. Just perfect.
Andrew J. Roberts is a collector of clocks. He has much time on his hands. But, most people say he has a bit of a tick! He gets wound up very quickly. Just like his clocks. But, just like his egg timer,
Andrew J. Roberts keeps perfect time. He never comes late. And, just like his eggs, he's neither too soft nor too hard. Just right for cracking. And, a pinch of salt is all that is needed.
And, do you have a tick, too? Do you collect stamps?
Collecting's a wonderful way of passing one's time. Just ask Andrew J. Roberts, he has time on his hands and, of course, on his walls. And, time never stands still.
