Koln Germany (Christmas Markets)

In the middle of December, Linda and I traveled to Dusseldorf and Koln (Cologne) Germany. On one of our other adventures, we had heard about the Christmas markets in Germany.  Wow, 7 markets just in Koln.  Yes, it was cold and we had to thaw out several times, but it was a lot of fun.  We heard from others, you can take a cruise down the Rhine river to visit all the Christmas markets.  We might have to try that some time.  Now for our English word, a nappy is a diaper. What is a brolly?  Hint, you can't live without one.  Now the pictures

The cathederal in Koln.

My favorite fountain.  It is a chocolate fountain in the chocolate musuem in Koln.

The floating Christmas market

And yes, we found blooming flowers even though it was around freezing the whole time we were there.

One of the open Christmas markets in Koln.

A view from inside our hotel.

A view from our hotel room.

Our hotel room in Koln.

TSYS Christmas Party

Here is the company Christmas Party.  It is much nicer than the one in the States.

Christmas Tree right outside the Queens Hotel.  We had our Christmas party at the Queens Hotel in Leeds.

There were about 300 people there.  We had a 3 course meal and a live band for dancing

England turkey and dressing.  We also had leeks with our meal.

One of our line managers, Steve Wilson.

Linda talking to Beth.  Beth is one of our PA's, secretary in the States.

Our table before we started eating.

Snowing in Harrogate

Hello again, it is Christmas day in Colorado.  We are here for a week before we head back to England.  It has been great to see all of our friends and co-workers.  Sorry it has been a while since I posted, but things have been rather busy.  You know how it is around Christmas.  Since our last post, it has snowed in Harrogate.  Here are some pictures outside our flat.  Based upon what my colleagues told us, I worked from home that day.  One of my colleagues told me her commute normally takes about 20 minutes, that day it took 2 1/2 hours.  I am glad I stay home to work.  Snow over there almost shuts the city down.

Barcelona

Hello, it is Saturday, November 29th.  Three weeks from today, Linda and I will be resting from our trip home from England.  We will see most of you on Sunday.  We did not go anywhere this weekend resting up from our trip earlier this week to Barcelona.  If you ever have the chance, this is one city I recommend you going to see.  This next week is my last full week to work this year.  The company Christmas party is next Saturday so we will send you some pictures from it.  We look forward to seeing many of you in the next few weeks.  Now for the word of last week, what is a ladder?  It is a run in a pair of ladies stockings.  What is a nappy?  Now for the pictures.

This is a picture of our hotel on the pier.

The 1992 Olympic Stadium

Barcelona Beach at Sunset

Spanish architecture, Barcelona is known for all different types of architecture

Bridge between two buildings

Linda looking up at me while we are walking down the stairs at La Sagrada Familia

Looking over the city from La Sagrada Familia

More architecture from Gaudi

South England - Portsmouth

Here are some Portsmouth and Isle of Wight pictures which is a ferry ride across the bay from Portsmouth.  

Little Sheepy ride home

A canon at the D-day musuem in Portsmouth.  Most of the D-day invasion started there.

Alum Bay, Needles Park

Closer picture of Alum Bay

At the port of Portsmouth.

South England - Stonehenge

Hello again, it is Saturday, November 22nd.  Last weekend we went to Southern England to Stonehenge and Portsmouth.  Here are the pictures from Stonehenge.  Now for the word, what does plaster mean?  It is a band-aid.  For this week, what is a ladder?  It is not what we would call a ladder.

Stonehenge makes up a circle which corresponds to the equinox.

You can tell by the circle which month you are in.

A closer look

Whitby

Hello, it is Monday, November 10th.  Yes, this is the earliest I have gotten the pictures posted from the previous weekend.  Linda and I went to Whitby on Saturday.  Before you get to the pictures, Gritting in progress is Sanding the road for winter conditions. What are plasters?

The North Sea from the pier

Seagull at Whitby

Looking at back at Whitby from the pier.

Whitby Abby 

Looking up from the Abby

A very interesting picture of the Abby

Looking across the bay from the Abby

Leeds Castle

Here is our trip to Leeds Castle. Henry VIII lived in this castle.

Here is a tethered balloon which Linda and I rode at the Castle

A closer picture

Pictures from the balloon of the castle

Pictures from above

More from above

Picture of Leeds Castle

Pictures of a bedroom in the Castle

Picture of a ceiling in the Castle

Black Swan at the Castle