Sad Day

Early start so as to drop off a delightful large plastic flagon of 24hrs worth of urine at the urologist! He had given me the kit a few weeks ago as he endeavours to find ways of reducing my impressive kidney stone production.

Couldn't stop for a chat as I had to be at the nearby city events building for 8:15 and the start of a "German for Immigrants" test being held by the local adult education centre. In total we were about 50 of all shapes, sizes, colours and backgrounds. The four lady examiners did a heroic job of getting us organised for the procedure which took three hours.

The "invitation" letter had said no mobile phones allowed so as to be expected nowadays, the proceedings started with the collecting of 49 mobile phones! I had actually heeded the warning and left mine in the car. The others were to regret it as the phones were kept during the 2.5 hour midday break and only handed back after the oral test which took several hours in the afternoon.

The morning written/hearing test was OK, partly too easy that at one point I wasn't paying attention and couldn't answer a question! I suspect I might have scraped through. The procedure was tiresomely bureaucratic and time consuming in this modern digital age. Everything on paper and using a pencil and rubber. However the ladies can't do anything about it - the test is created and coordinated by one of a couple on institutes in the German speaking area that are authorised to do the test and issue certificates (not just for German but for all sorts of levels for about 15 languages). It is highly checked to ensure no cheating - even the seating plan is noted and the results checked to see any signs of people looking over at one's neighbour.

Finally at 11:30 got out for a walk around the city centre and stretch the legs. I hadn't eaten or drunk anything since last night as I need to be careful but the down side is the internal system getting wobbly. Eventually I succumbed but only because it was freezing cold with a nasty wind whipping around every corner and I couldn't find a public warm place. So went in to Kelly's Irish Pub next to the Adult Education offices where the afternoon oral test was to be held.

I risked a coffee while chatting to a couple of regulars, the only people there but very amusing. Friend Kathi had recommended the pub to me many months ago and this was my first visit. She was right, very friendly staff. I Whats App'd with her and she gave me some uselessfull tips on Allgäu dialect words for the oral test! Time was however going very slowly and I realised I had to buy more. Went for a pint of Radler (beer/lemonade mix) and managed to spin out the time. DId feel a little whoozzzzy as I dismounted the stool and made the 50m walk to the school.

Had luckily arranged that I was at the top of the list. The oral section is done in pairs in front of two examiners. My partner was a young Armenian Mum with two children and 8 months pregnant. She was ever so shy/nervous but very nice and somehow we muddled through together. Partly we had to speak individually, partly discuss together a topic. If I fail this part, then I will seek asylum in Syria.

I am taking this step very reluctantly and find it all very unnecessary (and costly). All thanks to a handful of idiot, mainly Tory politicians, who have been moaning for the last forty years about the decision of the British voters to join the EU. And brought to a head by the totally unacceptable state of politics and the lack of any reasonable discussion and debate in the UK around the 2016 referendum and subsequent Brexit.

I don't have an issue with those that vote Leave - I suspect that the large majority did so not based on the EU in general but simply out of fear over the immigration issue. We are all probably all "racialists" if we are honest - who does not have prejudices? Dark skinned, black hair, white long garb, beard = islamic terrorist. White skinned, short blonde hair, blue eyed, strongly built, boots = neo-Nazi, fascist, Ku Klax Clan. Limping Harris Tweed jacket and cavalry twill trousers=country squire who fell off his horse out fox hunting etc etc.

That's normal and understandable but these "fears" were whipped up by a few to cause the referendum result. And in the meantime the wishes of 48% is being totally ignored, the politicians headed by the Prime Minister are spinning around doing more U turns than any driving instructor experiences in a lifetime. May, the Remainer, turns Leaver in the same way as many ex-smokers become radical zealots with not a tiny bit of understanding for the plight of their once fellow addicts. The hysteria this week about a dozen politicians voting according to their consciences rather than on party lines was a disgrace. In fact the entire UK political scene is a sorrowful example of democracy shouldn't be.

In this respect I shame myself for my country. If I pass the test (result in about 4 weeks) then I have the fortunate position to be able to choose whether I apply for German citizenship and thus have dual nationality. This is not an option available for the majority of those who have doubts about Brexit.

Finally the Blip shows some of the sites during the hour or so I managed to brave the cold at lunchtime. The flags, bottom right are in memory of several of the wars fought in Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries. Iuspect the majority of Brits are unaware of the untold loss of life in the wars on the mainland before 1914. Those war and the two WW are the basis of the EU not "what's in it for me".

PS After posting this, I read up on the "Alpenkorps", the left flag. It was only formed in WW1 and dissolved in 1918. Will need to further research. I couldn't get to the notices posted under the flags as Santa's ancient wooden sleigh was blocking the narrow passage.

Several shots of the small but very nice Christmas market around the city hall, guild hall and tax office. One of a city entrance gate and the tall one of an unusual church tower next to the city museum which is holding an exhibition about the one time wood coachbuilding company who expanded in the last 30 years from their popular toboggan manufacturing to do lots of furniture and other wood based things, including a wooden baby walker which received  [url=https://www.sirch.de/de/79-schorsch.htm]Gold in the 2016  "Made for Mums" awards[/url]. Like IKEA, the company gives their products names - the baby walker is called "Schorsch"!!!!!!!!!!!! 

There is an Extra Photo of Kelly's Irish Pub with the regulars I got chatting to. The one in the check jacket with is old mix dog at his feet which seemingly has a good portion of Border Collie in it. He warned me to be careful as he was a bit grouchy - we got on great as if we met every day at Kelly's in Co. Cavan.


(NB Schorsch is the Bavarian for George and if the UK monarchy gave up hiding behind the Windsor name, quickly adopted in 1917, a soon future King of England could be called Schorsch I of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Saxe-Coburg and Gotha is largely on Bavarian soil!) I would rescind any rights to German nationality if the Daily Mail gives that coronation a special 10 page souvenir pull out.