Thursday, 27 August 2026

Sunday the 30th of August, 2026

The Hudson Bridge over the Thames in London

English Warmups.  Welcome back!   Please translate into English, then scroll down for suggested solutions.  Have lots of fun and good luck!

Morgen ist Montag. 

Ein ganz besonderer Montag. 

Ein Montag, den alle Kinder lieben. 

Die Schule beginnt wieder. 

Die Ferien sind vorbei. 

Man trifft wieder Freunde. 

Man tauscht Neuigkeiten aus. 

Vielleicht eine neue Schule? 

Man findet neue Freunde. 

Neue Lehrer. 

Neue Fächer. 

Ein Neuanfang. 

Genieße den heutigen Tag. 

Deinen letzten Tag in Freiheit.

It's Monday tomorrow.  A very special Monday. A Monday all children love.  It's back to school. The holidays are over.  Seeing friends again.  Catching up on news. Maybe a new school.  Making new friends. New teachers.  New subjects.  A new beginning.  Enjoy today.  Your last day of freedom.


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The Bartons chapters 24/25

 Mulling Things Over

Mulling things over -  Thinking slowly and deeply about things.  pondering - 

A snag - A small problem

My hands are tied - The decision is out of my hands.

Keep your hat on -  stay calm. Don't lose your temper. 

right away - immediately. 

Chapter 25 - Mulling Things Over

Jean - Guess what, Ken and Dave!  Sarah phoned me last night and invited me round for elevenses this morning. She said she fancied a chat.

Ken -  What you really mean is Sarah fancies a gossip.

Jean - That's not fair, Ken.  It's the men who gossip, not the women.

Dave - Well, it's all how you see things, Mum.  And, Dad, how are you this morning?  You've got a very serious, not-too-happy look on your face.  Is everything OK?

Ken - I've been mulling things over, Dave.  I'm worried about the barn. Nothing seems to be happening.  There's no progress.  It's as if you and Jane have lost interest in your future home. 

Jean - Yes, Dave, we're really quite worried. 

Ken - So, when are you going to make up your minds about the final plan? We must get on with the work.  Do you understand, Dave?

Dave - Of course,  I understand, Dad.  But there's one little snag. Jane and I have already made up our minds, but Jane wants to ask her mother before finally deciding. She thinks her mother knows best.

Ken - Am I hearing things? It seems you're letting Jane's mother decide everything.  Can't you think for yourselves?  And, when is Jane going to ask her mother?

Dave - When they get back from their holiday, Dad.

Ken - That's another 5 weeks, Dave. 

Dave - I know, Dad.  And I'm very sorry.  But there's nothing I can do.  My hands are tied.

Ken - Nothing you can do, Dave!??  Of course there's something you can do!  You can make a decision, and I want it by 4 o'clock this afternoon.  If not, I'm cancelling the project, and you and Jane can live in the caravan.  

Dave - But, Dad ..

Ken - No buts, Dave.  You've got 'til 4 this afternoon.

Dave - OK, Dad, keep your hat on, I'll phone Jane right away. And, if Jane can't decide, I'll decide.

Ken - That's my boy, Dave.  You're a good egg.

Jean - Well, that's decided.  And, I'll put on the kettle for another cup of tea.

Questions - Who phoned Jean?  Why did Sarah phone Jean?  Why is Ken in a serious mood?  Why must Jane's mother make the final decision about the barn?  Why are Dave's hands tied?  When can Jane's mother make this decision?  What ultimatum did Ken give Dave?  Did Dave understand his father's ultimatum?  What action did Dave promise to take?  What do you think about Jane's mother?  Why does Jane allow her mother to be so dominant?



An Extra Warmup exercise just for fun!

Der Sommer ist fast vorbei. 

Die Tage werden kürzer. 

Gregor ist draußen im Garten. 

Er genießt das schöne Spätsommerwetter.

Bald ist Herbst. 

Herbstfarben. 

Fallende Blätter. 

Viel Arbeit im Garten. 

Laub zusammen kehren. 

Äpfel pflücken. 

Trauben ernten. 

Wieder ein gutes Jahr. 

Wieder ein guter Wein. 

Der Winter mag kommen.

Summer is nearly over.  The days are getting shorter.   Gregor is out in the garden.  Making the most of the fine summer weather.  Soon Autumn will be here.  Autumn colours. Falling leaves. Much work in the garden.  Raking the leaves.  Picking the apples.  Harvesting the grapes. Another good year.  Another good wine.







Saturday, 22 August 2026

Saturday the 22nd of August, 2026

 


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

Mir ist langweilig. 

Ich weiß nicht, was ich tun soll. 

Ich weiß schon, ich rufe Brenda an. 

Ich bin mit ihr zur Schule gegangen. 

Ich habe sie seit Jahren nicht mehr gesehen. 

Mindestens 40 Jahre. 

Vielleicht hat sie sich verändert. 

Das werden wir bald sehen.  

Oh nein, sie sitzt im Gefängnis.  

20 Jahre wegen Mordes an ihrem Mann.  

Sie war meine beste Freundin.  

Na ja, du weißt ja, was man sagt!  

Gleich und Gleich gesellt sich gern.


I'm bored.  I don't know what to do.  I know, I'll phone Brenda up.  I went to school with her. I haven't seen her for years. At least 40 years.  Maybe she's changed. We'll soon see.  Oh no, she's in prison.  20 years for murdering her husband.  She was my best friend.  Well, you know what they say!  Birds of a feather flock together.

 


The Bartons will be back on the 26th of August, 2026

Monday, 17 August 2026

Monday the 17th of August, 2026

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

Es ist ein wunderschöner Montagmorgen. 

Es regnet. 

Nicht viel. 

Gerade genug. 

Unsere Gärten brauchen es. 

Die Landwirtschaft auch. 

Die Flüsse sind zu niedrig. 

Die Natur leidet. 

Aber die Natur weiß es immer besser. 

Bald wird wieder alles gut sein.

It's a beautiful Monday morning.  It's raining. Not much.  Just enough. Our gardens need it.  Agriculture, too.  The rivers are low.  Nature is suffering.  But, nature always knows better. Soon, everything will be fine once again.

 


The Bartons will be back in September.

Thursday, 6 August 2026

9th of August, 2026


Welcome back to English Warmups.  Simply translate into English, then scroll down to the bottom for suggested solutions.  Have fun and GOOD LUCK!

Es ist kurz nach 10.  

Gregors Frau wird gleich nach Hause kommen.  

Sie ist zum Markt gegangen.  

Um Aprikosen zu kaufen.   

10 Kilo.  

Gregors Frau kocht gerne Marmelade.  

Eine tolle Beschäftigung im Sommer.  

In der Hitze der Küche.  

Oh nein!  

Gregors Frau hat den Zucker vergessen.  

Armer Gregor.  

Morgen gibt es saure Marmelade auf seiner Semmel. 

Kein süßer Start in den Tag.

It's just after 10.  Gregor's wife will be home in a minute.  She's gone to the market.  For Apricots.  10 kilos.  Gregor's wife enjoys making jam.  A great thing to do in the summer.  In the heat of the kitchen.  Oh no!  Gregor's wife has forgotten the sugar.  Poor Gregor.  Sour jam on his semmel tomorrow. Not a sweet way to start off his day.

 






Tuesday, 4 August 2026

4th of July, 2026 - Gregor has a Surprise



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

Gregor ist voller Freude. 

Er hat eine Überraschung. 

Er hat einen schönen Urlaub gebucht.  

Last-Minute.  

Zwei Wochen auf den Bahamas.  

Hin- und Rückflug in der ersten Klasse.  

Ein 5-Sterne-Hotel.  

Mit Blick aufs Meer.  

Und 50 % günstiger als bei allen anderen.  

Dummer Gregor!  

Er hat nur für eine Person gebucht.  

Seine Frau muss zu ihrer Mutter nach Linz fahren.  

Armer Gregor.  

Ein Urlaub ganz allein.  

Zwei Wochen auf den Bahamas.

Gregor is joyful.  He has a surprise.  He has booked a nice holiday.  Last minute.  2 weeks in the Bahamas.  First class there and back.  A 5-star hotel.  Overlooking the sea.  And, 50% cheaper than everyone else.  Silly Gregor!  He only booked it for one.  His wife must go to her mother's in Linz.  Poor Gregor.  A holiday alone.  2 weeks in the Bahamas.



Friday the 11th of September, 2026

Welcome back to English Warmups.  Please translate into English, then scroll down for suggested solutions.  Have fun. Letzte Woche gingen An...