GERMANY 

NOVEMBER 2005

November 5th

Quiet day in Nürnberg, Aidan spotted a poster advertising the show that his group are putting on.

November 6th - Bayreuth

Bayreuth is a town not too far away that is famous for 2 things, being the home of Richard Wagner, the famous opera writer, and its famous opera house which is said to be the most beautiful in all of Europe.

This is the home of Wagner (pronounced Vargner), which was destoyed during the war but was then rebuilt in the 70's. The bust in the front is King Ludwig II who was a good friend of Wagner and who we keep running into all the time!  Aidan in what used to be the lounge room but is now like a small concert hall.  In the garden behind is his and his wife's grave.  It's Autumn at the moment and all of the trees are in colour, not like home at all, leaves everywhere!

Bayreuth Opera House - I believed it survived the war which was lucky.  Sneaked a photo inside, this only shows a small part, it was fairly small but like this the whole way round.

Late November to early December - 'Rocking Around the Christmas Tree'

Aidan was in a stage show which had 10 performances.

Winter is here - Nov/Dec

First three photos taken near the house, next at a nearby park and the last was in Nürnberg one evening after leaving Aidan's show.

DECEMBER 2005

Aidan at a ballet class.

December 17th

Nürnberg has a very famous Christmas market called 'Kriskindlesmarkt'.

December 24th

Christmas eve dinner with friends.

December 25th

Christmas Day.  Went for a drive later to the snow.  There was plenty of it, enough to get stuck as Nic found out, Aidan got to throw snowballs and build a snowman.  Got 'im.

December 31st

This is our new apartment in Erlangen. Small playground in the middle for Aidan when it warms up. We basically live 100 metres off the main pedestrian mall.  Last one is the view from the loungeroom window.