Fun-Fax!

Squeaky clean and now cooperating

We've now been in country for a little over three months. In this time some things are becoming easier. Like grocery shopping. We have also, more or less, tamed theat beast in the upstairs bath. We've learned that some of the oldest remedies still are the best. For example, Luxembourg has some seriously hard water, and we have learned that white vinegar works best for cleaning glass and chrome.

Hotel des Postes

Yep, we're settling in well...even if it does take us two to three attempts to get anything accomplished. Like our phone service. I thought I had us signed up for a bundle deal with the Luxembourg Post and Telecom. You know, TV, Internet and cell phones all on one bill...or so I thought. Yeah, well we get two bills? Not quite sure why, but to set things straight I had to make another dash down to the Hotel des Poste. Their internet link to manage an online account isn't working right now...nor has it since I signed up two months ago!

Well, all these thrusts and parries in our 'fencing match of civil duties' with the Ville have uncovered some really interesting 'Fun Facts' about the Grand Duchy. Facts you may not find out unless your living here. Such as;

1.) They still have loads of phone booths laying around

2.) Since most businesses have little or no web presence, phone books are still a viable option

I mean, really? Before I realized this I tossed ours right into the recycling bin!

3.) Staying with phone statistics...it is a law here that every household have a fixed land line! 

4.) There are no apartment numbers! We simply live at number 220 along with eight other families. Our name on the mailbox is how mail is delivered to our unit. Needless to say things get mixed up every once in a while.

5.) The current Grand Duchess, Maria Teresa,  is Cuban...yeah, as in Havana!

Apparently she met the Grande Duke in college - talk about a Cinderella Story!

 6.) Women out earn men in the Grand Duchy. Way to go ladies!

7.) Soda cans are made of steel.

...and liquor bottles are only 700 ml. What a rip!

8.) Rugby is HUGE here! 
(Please disregard any crocodile articles :)

9.) Luxembourg has a standing army of approximately 900 soldiers. 

Six of whom are currently in Mali!

10.) Finally (for now), Luxembourgers were at the tip of the spear when investing in satellite TV in Europe.
I only discovered this researching our building's parabola when setting up our television.

Who Knew?

Urban Wildlife - Le Renard

Obligatory shot of our 'cliff'. Look close...

Another snowy Sunday was upon us. As we sat and watched our favorite Italian Serie A team, Fiorentina, on TV, a very strange guest appeared. Now, I've seen this guy around the neighborhood, but only late at night or very early in the morning. Today he decided to pay us an unexpected visit mid-day.

Yep, a fox...in broad daylight! In Luxembourg City!!!

Not only did he poke around the cliff wall...

...he decided to check out our patio!

...and that's when the boys spotted him. One quick 'woof' from Toby and he was gone!

(I know...I'm getting a lot of value out of this old pic)

 

Because there was no chase, Jonas was inconsolable :(

...and an inconsolable JoJo just sits in his cave and pouts.

Poor little Feisthound!

Pneus d'Hiver

Poster - 'In winter, winter tires - Obligatory October 1'

Today's title refers to the new law in Luxembourg. The statute stipulates that all vehicles are required to have winter tires (pneus d'hiver) when weather conditions present "ice, packed snow, slush, black ice, or frost." The law's debut coincided with our arrival in October of 2012. Similar laws exist in Germany, Belgium and other neighboring nations, so it's not surprising that the Grand Duchy would adopt such an ordinance. Since we have been told by several sources that 'it never snows in Luxembourg...mostly it's just gray and rainy all winter' - and since we've been shelling out money like nobody's business (see posts Decision 2012 and Miss Vicki) - we opted not to drop the Euros on a set of new tires...that decision may be reevaluated after our most recent storm.

It has been snowing all day today (January 15, 2013). Fortunately the Ville has a solid public transit system, but as of sunset we're at about six inches here in town. Jeni says it's more like 8"+ out by her office in Capellen. 

My co-conspirators

We're off!

So what to do? Since 'it never snows in Luxembourg', I decided to photo-document the event. Luxembourg is a stunningly beautiful city, and the snow only adds to the romantic feel of this place. As is good and right, Toby called off and decided not to join our expedition. At his age no one can begrudge him a day of relaxation inside away from the snow and ice. Plus he's so low to the ground he may have just froze solid on our way through town. Therefore JoJo and I set off in the afternoon when the light was 'bright' and the snow subsided for a bit. Please enjoy our little winter walk!

JoJo likes the snow very much

The city's central park - Parc Municipal  d'Edouard André

I did mention Jonas LOVES snow...I think he may have broke something on this one!

Crossing the park...

...past the statue dedicated to Princess Amélie de Saxe-Weimar

...the fountain

...and into the center of Luxembourg.

View of the Pont Adolpe and the upper Petrusse Valley from Place de la Constitution

Believe it or not, that's a bank (not a castle) on the other side of the valley!

The Gëlle Fra at the Place de la Constitution

A monument to Grand Duchess Charlotte at Notre-Dame Cathedral

Looking down on the Grund in winter.

The Viaduct (1868) crossing the Pertusse Valley

The snow covered Palace

Place Guillaume II with the Hôtel de Ville de Luxembourg (City Hall) in the background

Then back to the Rollingergrund...

...Whew! Back home with our Snowy Gnome

JoJo climbed into 'the Cave' under our strairs

...and I enjoyed an adult beverage! This is the Leffe we really like!

Sunday Morning Jam Session

Well...it was mostly a mustard affair, but 'A Mustard Session' just doesn't have the same ring.

Yumm-O! I may have found a calling - Senfmueller

The historic mustard mill dating back to 1810

We set out this weekend for the quaint medieval village of Cochem, Germany.  Cochem lies on the left bank of the Moselle River further downstream from Trier and is famous for its wines, its history and perhaps most importantly its Mustard Mill! The Moselle flows from the Alsace region of France, through Luxembourg (comprising the border between Luxembourg and Germany for approximately 40km) then onto the Rhine in Germany. This river valley is an important wine region for all three nations, and is the main wine growing area in Luxembourg. Only about an hour and a half drive from the Ville,  Cochem is a perfect little day trip and just enough off the beaten path to remain unexpectedly beautiful.

The Reichburg of Cochem

It sits atop a high bluff over the village along the Moselle

Aside from the river and the natural beauty of Cochem, one of the main attractions is the Reichburg, or Imperial Castle. The original structure was built in the 1100's and was overrun and subsequently destroyed by Frances King Louis XIV in the 1600's (I'm seeing a pattern around here).   


Louis Fréderic Jacques Ravené, a rich businessman from Berlin, bought the ruins and restored the castle in 1868...as a SUMMER HOME! I think rich may be an understatement.

The Reichburg is poised just above the ancient town of Cochem which alone is worth seeing. The Old Town is a maze of skinny streets and almost claustrophobic alleyways. The charming architecture really gives the sense that you've gone back in time.  Some of the buildings are built right into the cliffs along the river bank, and many of the shops have caves from which they sell the local wines and liquors. This impromptu day trip was taken during the winter season, so many shops were closed as their owners are off on seasonal holidays. We can't wait to get back to sample more of Cochem's offerings. Tschüs!

Looking down over Cochem and the Moselle from the castle above.

Cochem's main square along the river

Here's a gingerbread house...

...with Dachshund lace curtains!

Old Town looking at the Catherdral's Bell-tower.

One of the many vineyards along the slopes surrounding the town of Cochem.

A restaurant and wine seller built into one of the cliffs along the Moselle River.