Thanksgiving Dinner 2011 - Luxembourg Edition

Thanksgiving day we knew would be different since we are abroad, but certain elements were the same.  Let's start with the differences: 1) I had to work and school was in session, 2) Ian had to go to the doctor for conjunctivitis and the doctor was in normal operational hours, 3) We knew the oven would not fit a turkey (nor could we eat a turkey with just 4 of us) so we had a chicken, 4) A had to make several of the items from scratch because we could not find them in the store, 5) There were no football games to watch, 6) There was no nap to be had during the missing football game, 7) Left overs would not fit in the fridge, 8) We did not have to travel anywhere.

So now to the similarities: 1) We said thanks to GOD, 2) The food was all great (especially the home made items).

All in all a good Thanksgiving!

Shipment Arrived

We finally got our shipment from the state this week.  It was like Christmas for kids. I put the bikes together and we went for a ride this weekend.  I know it looks a little bit cold there, but the weekend was actually quite nice.  Mid 50s I think.

Cathedral of Trier & Other Trier Sights

Some photos from Trier Germany.  It is the closest town of any size in Germany.  There are several things there to see but we limited ourselves to the market, cathedral, and Porta Nigra.  The town is quite old.  Oldest in Germany according to the all knowing internet. 

The cathedral is said to have the robe of Christ.  It will be on display in April and May next year.  The last time was 1996 and there were over 1 million visitors.  We think we might go see it.

To My Loyal Followers & All Fans Of Belgian Ales

So I have noted from the Orval website that there are tours of the brewery in the monestary once per year.  In May one can make reservations for the tour that will occur in September.  It appears that I have found my first fall of 2012 adventure.  Below I have a link to their website.

http://www.orval.be/an/FS_an.html 

Old Church on the Sound Trail

Along the sound trail was an old church that I had mentioned in the previous post.  Below is a photograph, even though it does not capture the church in all of its uniqueness.  Oberschlinder is the most reliable name I can find for the chapel.  It is said to have been built in 1874.  Not really that old I guess.

http://www.ardennes-lux.lu/index.php?page=culture&id=749&lan=en&lieu=&types=

Hoscheid Sound Trail

The Hoscheid sound trail is 6.5 km hiking trail with various "sound sculptures" along the way.  The hike itself is a pretty difficult hike.  Several times during the trail I had to carry Ian.  The weather was great and we had a good time.  The trail was about 20 miles north of the city.  It gave us one our first adventures in "the north country".  Along the way we say two Castles and some great architecture.

The tail was almost abandoned as we only saw three other hikers along the way.  There also was a fantastic old church along the trail.  I can not find anything about the church online yet but it must have been very old.  It was small and not accessible by car.

http://www.klanglandschaften.lu/en/index.html

Hiking in the Forest

We went for a short hike today in the forest nearby.  It was only an hour hike and very leisurely.  Still fun though.  There is a lot of different species here.  Lots of moss, ferns, and other greenery.  It was a public holiday here: All Saint's Day.