Zwei Dinge: Litfass and Die Haard

A little off-piste, a couple of late reflections of our trip to Germany last Autumn.

Borrowed from the web, an old still in black and white, this recalls all the Litfaßsäule [pronounced Lit fass zoiler] I saw on many German street corners.

The tall tubular advertising columns were everywhere and posters and flyers to be seen on all sides. They were invented by Ernst Litfass in 1854.

Personally I think they're really cool and a delightful element in the German street-scene. Some even have secret doors!

Exported to other countries, I don't think they made it here the UK, where fly-posting on walls still prevails.

One famous example is the Litfass column on the 1929 Walter Trier cover art for Erich Kaestner's book Emil and the Detectives.

Another memory of our trip is this picture and map showing the local forest near Recklinghausen. I had to chuckle. 

Die Haard! [pronounced Dee Hard]

It's like a extended version of the film title Die Hard. As in, don't just Die Hard, Die Haard! ha ha. Maybe its just me!

Have you any strange observations from the world around you readers?

Das Oldtimer Show, Ewald Mine

 Whilst staying in Recklinghausen, Germany, last Autumn, the Missus and me visited a fabulous vintage car show at an old coal mine.

Here's a few snaps, which I hope you enjoy.

Which is your favourite car?

THE IRON TREE IS UP

 With the Grandkids not coming to Moonbase this Christmas we've opted for low- key decorating in just a few household spots. No fuss and no need to get everything down from the attic this year!

The iron tree is really just an garden standee adorned with baubles from an Xmas box we brought back from my Wife's late parents' German home this Autumn, together with a couple of necklaces to fill out the middle!

The kitchen sill scene is courtesy of more German heirlooms.

I love this little singer. I cant decide if he's belting out a carol or trying to blow the candle out!

German nutcrackers, from the box, ready for some cracking or knacken [ker-nacken] as they say over there.

This cute pot Nazarene family had to come out.

as did this beautiful wooden nativity.

Unusually some of the old baubles are metal like this golden ball.

Finally, a shot of my morning's boiled eggs guarded by a quaint little pixie!

I may set out the crib we brought back, a family piece one hundred years old now.

Your pictures of decorations and trees welcomed readers! Just email me.