Over the past couple of days Fräulein and I have been discussing taking a mini break somewhere, just a week to relax and recharge our batteries before our hectic work schedules restart. Yesterday Fräulein was watching a documentary about Greece and their cuisine and cute houses, she was quite animated and excited, obviously I was quite interested in the local beverages and the warm blue sea.

A week sitting next to the beach drinking ouzo with the occasional swim sounded perfect. In fact I was really taken by the idea. I started planning which clothes I should take. Shorts, knotted white hanky, grey socks to wear with sandals, the usual things an Englishman takes to the beach.

And then she came up with another exotic destination for our mini break… Lübeck! With the little dots over the letter ‘U’ it was beginning to sound a little German. You will need to pack a jumper, she told me, it can get a little chilly in the evenings. With huge excitement she added, “We can go swimming in the Baltic Sea.”

Hmm! So I won’t need the knotted hanky, but probably a good supply of goose fat.

I tried to explain to Fräulein that we have an English expression namely ‘It’s a bit Baltic my dear’ this is used when the weather is bitter and cold. The kind of day when it is better to sit in front of the fire and listen to the wind howling outside, whilst dreaming of a summer holiday drinking ouzo on a hot Greek beach. I even sent her the following photo to prove I wasn’t kidding.

I have decided not to pack my swimming trucks, knotted hanky and shorts, my case will be full of jumpers, thick trousers and my new swimming costume that will hopefully arrive before we leave on Tuesday. I will need a lot of German Schnapps to keep me warm.

I hope you have a nice WARM holiday planned or are already enjoying a nice holiday on a sun kissed beach, Ok I am off to find my scarf and woolly hat.