Danke Schoen

I'm not sure how to type an umlaut, perhaps those of you from the right neck of the woods can help. Or failing that, any heavy metal fans out there?

The reason I need this extra help is because I'm trying to be a little more Teutonic today. We've both taken a day of work to go to Birmingham's German Christmas Market.

I think it's very important that we get to sample other cultures. We should take every opportunity to understand the way of life in other countries, to realise how people live their lives. Were we not once enemies, the German and the British? But now, he's not Hanoverian, he's my brother. We can build a bridge, everybody. Between your heart and mi...

Oh, OK then.  It's just an excuse to stand around drinking stupidly-large glasses of beer and eat pork-based products in the streets. Silly hats might be involved, too.

So that's why this post is shorter than normal, as we're busy preparing ourselves. OK, we're putting on our drinking trousers. See you all tomorrow.  Or, if you prefer, auf wiedersehen.