English Warmups soon

The Bartons - Chapter 22

Welcome Home - Ken and Jean have arrived home from Spain.  They are happy to be back.

Idioms

To fall for someone means to fall in love with them.

A little bit nuts means you are a little bit crazy (in a nice way).

The patter of tiny feet - The sound of little children's feet as they run around.  

The proof of the pudding is in the eating - The true value or success of something can only be judged after testing or eating it -  Den wahren Wert oder Erfolg von etwas kann man erst beurteilen, nachdem man es ausprobiert oder gegessen hat. 

If you're a chip of the old block means you're just like your father - you take after him.

And now to our story.

Hello everyone.  We're back

Hello, Mum and Dad. Welcome home. It's nice to have you back.

Hello Dave and  Jane.  How are you both?  

We're fine, thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Barton. How was your trip?

Come, come Jane.  From now on, please call us  Jean and Ken.  You're one of the family now.

So, Dad, how was Spain

It was brilliant, Dave.  The only thing was that it was full of funny foreigners drinking red wine and speaking a funny foreign language.  

They were not foreigners, Ken.  They were Spaniards speaking Spanish.  We were the foreigners.  Well, anyway, Dave.  I can see Jane hasn't killed you. You must have done something right.  

We had a wonderful time. Dave was really nice.  Now I know what farming life is all about.  It's no picnic; it's very hard work, and I really love the animals.

Yes, Mum and Dad, Jane really fell for the pigs. In fact, she even gave them names.  She christened the black and pink pig Agnes. 

I think you're a little bit nuts, Jane. Poor Agnes. With a name like Agnes, she probably thinks she's a sheep.  Agnes Day and all that!

You mean Agnus Dei, Ken.  Not Agnes Day.

Well, I was never good in French at school.

Agnus Dei is Latin, Ken.  And, now, please stop being silly, Ken.  And, Jane and Dave, I can see you're going to be the perfect farming couple. I'm so happy for you both.  And, hopefully, in a year or two we'll be looking forward to the patter of tiny little feet running happily around the farm. 

Maybe a little bit sooner, Mum and Dad.

Well, life can be full of surprises.

It certainly can, mum.  And Jane has a very big surprise for you.  Close your eyes and don't open them until I say so.   OK, you can open them.

A Cake!  A wonderful cake. Did you buy it?

No, Jean, I made it myself.  Mum's been giving me baking lessons.  I hope you like it.

It looks like a Schwarzwaldtorte.

Actually, it's a chocolate cake. 

Well, I'm sure it'll be delicious anyway, thanks, Jane.

And, as they say, Jane, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

And, where is the tea, Jane?

Oh no!  I completely forgot.   Dave, please put the kettle on. 

No stress, my wonderful future wife.  Rome wasn't built in a month, either!

You mean in a day, Dave.  You really are a chip off the old block.

Well, whatever, welcome home, Mum and Dad.

Sunday the 21st of June, 2026

Austrian tourists on their way to Greece 

Welcome back to English Warmups.  Simply translate into English, then scroll down for suggested translations.  'Have fun and good luck!

Armer Gregor. 

Seine Frau hat immer recht. 

Sie weiß es immer besser. 

Draußen sind es 39 Grad. 

Gregors Frau sitzt drinnen in der Kühle. 

Seine Frau braucht Urlaub. 

Irgendwo, wo es schön kühl ist? 

Skandinavien? 

Fliegen wir doch in den Süden. 

Ist eine griechische Insel in Ordnung? 

Perfekt. 

Gregors Frau liebt die Hitze. 

Komm, lass uns in den Garten gehen.  

Es ist viel zu heiß. 

Armer Gregor.  

Er hat überhaupt keine Chance.

Poor Gregor.  His wife is always right.  She always knows better.   It's 39 degrees outside.  Gregor's wife is inside in the cool.  His wife needs a holiday.  Somewhere nice and cool?  Scandinavia?  Let's fly to the south.  Is a Greek island OK?  Perfect.  Gregor's wife loves the heat. Come on, let's go into the garden.  It's far too hot. Poor Gregor.  He has no chance at all.

Audio following soon!

Saturday the 13th of June, 2026

The Graben in Vienna

English Warmups.  Simply translate into English, then scroll down for suggested solutions.  Good Luck!

Gregor hat alle Hände voll zu tun. 

Er putzt die Wohnung. 

Seine Frau ist auf dem Weg nach Hause. 

Sie kommt heute Abend um 19 Uhr an. 

Gregor muss zum Flughafen fahren. 

Es gibt noch viel zu tun. 

Keine Zeit für eine Pause. 

Das Telefon klingelt. 

Es ist Gregors Frau. 

Eine Planänderung. 

Sie kommt erst Ende nächster Woche zurück. 

Armer Gregor. 

So viel harte Arbeit umsonst.

Gregor is busy.  He's cleaning the house.  His wife is on her way home.   Arriving this evening at 7.  Gregor must go to the airport.  Still much to do.  No time for a rest. The phone rings.  Gregor's wife.  A change of plans.  She'll be back at the end of next week.  Poor Gregor.  Lots of hard work for nothing.

The Bartons   Chapter 21  - A Short Break

Idioms 

To get back to someone means to talk to them later. 

To get the hang of something means to learn how to understand or do something.

To be pushed in at the deep end means to start at a hard/difficult point with no training.

To take with a pinch of salt means not to take things too seriously.

Under the thumb - if you are under the thumb means you are in his/her control.

To jump at the chance - to quickly take the offer/oppurtunity.

+ + + + + + 

Ken and Jean are enjoying a nice cup of tea.  Dave has gone out.

I bumped into Andy in the village this morning, and you'll never guess what he told me!

He told you he was taking Sarah to Spain for a long weekend. 

How did you know, Jean?  Andy told me to keep it under my hat. It was a secret.

So much for Andy's secrets.  Sarah phoned me about an hour ago.  She told me all about Andy's big secret.  And, furthermore, she asked me if we'd like to join them. 

Andy asked me the same.  I said I would talk to you and get back to him.

No need, Ken.  I've already decided. I said we'd love to go.

Well, Jean, you could have asked me. But, nevertheless, you did the right thing.  A few days away would be great.  And, who's going to look after the farm while we're gone?

Dave and Jane, of course.  I think it's high time Jane got a taste of real farm life and all the work that goes with it. 

Well, it'll be a bit like being pushed in at the deep end.  But, I'm sure Jane will soon get the hang of misting out pigsties and milking the cows.  I'm certain she'll take to it all like a duck takes to water.

And, I'M sure the pigs and cows will quickly take to Jane, too.  

You're right, Ken.  Jane does seem to have a special way with animals.

And, she has a very special way with men, too.

Don't be horrible, Ken.

You should learn to take what I say with a pinch of salt, Jean.  But, while we're talking about Jane,  baking doesn't seem to be one of her strong points.  Maybe you could teach her how to bake a cherry cake before we go, Jean. 

No time, Ken.  We're leaving at first light tomorrow. 

So soon, Jean.  Andy never told me that.  And, Jean, next time, please ask me what I think of the whole thing!

No need, Ken, you always agree with everything I want.  I've got you well trained.

More like under the thumb.  And, what about Jane?

All taken care of.   Everything's arranged.  Jane'll be here in about an hour. She jumped at the chance of being a weekend farmer's wife.

So, is there anything else left for me to do?

Yes, Ken. sit down and have a slice of cherry cake.

Questions. Can women keep secrets?  Was Ken surprised that Jean knew about Spain?  How is Jane going to get a taste of farm life?  Does Jane need baking lessons?   Is Ken under Jean's thumb?  What chance did Jane jump at?  What is left for Ken to do?

Saturday the 6th of June, 2026

A family from Sooss on their way to Vienna

Welcome back to English Warmups.  Simply translate into English, then scroll down for suggested solutions.   Good luck and good fun!

Gestern haben wir einen Ausflug nach Sooss gemacht. 

Ein ganz kleines Dorf. 

Im Wiener Wald. 

Wir sind mit dem Zug gefahren. 

20 Minuten von Wien entfernt. 

Am Bahnhof wurden wir abgeholt. 

Sissi hat uns abgeholt. 

Mittagessen in einem Heurigen. 

Sehr, sehr gut. 

Danach Kaffee und Kuchen bei Sissi. 

Ein sehr langes Gespräch. 

Kurz nach sieben sind wir mit dem Zug nach Hause gefahren. 

Ein wunderbarer Tag. 

Yesterday, we took a trip to Sooss.  A very small village.  In the Vienna Woods.  We went by train. 20 minutes from Vienna.  We were met at the station.  Sissi picked us up.   Lunch at a Heuriger.  Very, very good.  Then, coffee and cake at Sissi's.  A very long chat. We took the train home at just after seven.     A wonderful day. 

 

The Bartons   Chapter 21  - A Short Break

Idioms 

To get back to someone means to talk to them later. 

To get the hang of something means to learn how to understand or do something.

To be pushed in at the deep end means to start at a hard/difficult point with no training.

To take with a pinch of salt means not to take things too seriously.

Under the thumb - if you are under the thumb means you are in his/her control.

To jump at the chance - to quickly take the offer/oppurtunity.

+ + + + + + 

Ken and Jean are enjoying a nice cup of tea.  Dave has gone out.

I bumped into Andy in the village this morning, and you'll never guess what he told me!

He told you he was taking Sarah to Spain for a long weekend. 

How did you know, Jean?  Andy told me to keep it under my hat. It was a secret.

So much for Andy's secrets.  Sarah phoned me about an hour ago.  She told me all about Andy's big secret.  And, furthermore, she asked me if we'd like to join them. 

Andy asked me the same.  I said I would talk to you and get back to him.

No need, Ken.  I've already decided. I said we'd love to go.

Well, Jean, you could have asked me. But, nevertheless, you did the right thing.  A few days away would be great.  And, who's going to look after the farm while we're gone?

Dave and Jane, of course.  I think it's high time Jane got a taste of real farm life and all the work that goes with it. 

Well, it'll be a bit like being pushed in at the deep end.  But, I'm sure Jane will soon get the hang of misting out pigsties and milking the cows.  I'm certain she'll take to it all like a duck takes to water.

And, I'M sure the pigs and cows will quickly take to Jane, too.  

You're right, Ken.  Jane does seem to have a special way with animals.

And, she has a very special way with men, too.

Don't be horrible, Ken.

You should learn to take what I say with a pinch of salt, Jean.  But, while we're talking about Jane,  baking doesn't seem to be one of her strong points.  Maybe you could teach her how to bake a cherry cake before we go, Jean. 

No time, Ken.  We're leaving at first light tomorrow. 

So soon, Jean.  Andy never told me that.  And, Jean, next time, please ask me what I think of the whole thing!

No need, Ken, you always agree with everything I want.  I've got you well trained.

More like under the thumb.  And, what about Jane?

All taken care of.   Everything's arranged.  Jane'll be here in about an hour. She jumped at the chance of being a weekend farmer's wife.

So, is there anything else left for me to do?

Yes, Ken. sit down and have a slice of cherry cake.

Questions. Can women keep secrets?  Was Ken surprised that Jean knew about Spain?  How is Jane going to get a taste of farm life?  Does Jane need baking lessons?   Is Ken under Jean's thumb?  What chance did Jane jump at?  What is left for Ken to do?