It was going to happen Eventually...

That time has come. In 72 Hours, Ill be back in the UK.

This time, it isn't for a trip to Sunderland, its not for a Football match, or over the Christmas Holidays... This time, its more permanent that that.

I have been here, in Germany now for 9 Months, and I knew that this time would come. My God, its tough.

Thinking back, If i tried to talk to myself from 9 months ago, I would probably think I was an idiot. My German has flown along. I can remember having to describe a bowl to a woman in a shop. That was a fail. (its Schüssel, by the way!)

When I was about to leave, I didn't imagine that I would get up to much really.   I was wrong, that's for sure.    Just through reading my old blog posts, I can see that I have done plenty, and half the stuff isn't even there!

Its been an Adventure.   I have done, seen and experienced things that some people can only dream of. I have lived in what is actually a fabulous country with people who are just as kind, friendly, funny, helpful and genuine and any other person possible could be .

Whilst being here, I have gained experience, knowledge of German, social skills, skills in other areas, laughs, cries, memories and friends.

A small town, that I had to Google not so long ago, a town with more Doctors in it than London has, a town with 2 swimming pools, 3 schools and everything else and a town that has now, whether it likes it or not become a very big part of my life.

A School, in this town, a school that thousands of people have passed through, and thousands more will pass through, of which, I am one of them has not become a place where I can go should I ever need anything, and I can be sure that someone, somewhere will be able to help me, somehow.

Though Thousands have passed, and thousands will come, I was lucky enough to pass through myself in this year. With these teachers and these students.  I don't think, that if I had hand-picked the people myself, i could have chosen a better group of people.

I have laughed every single day, I have smiles every single minute, and never would I have been able to do that without the amazing people that I have sent my time with, here in Schlüchtern.


I don't think I will ever live such an amazing academic year ever again. It has been a year that I dreaded, right up until the moment that I got here, and it has been the best year of my life.

I want to thank those who have made this year so special.  They can sit and be modest and say that they did nothing, but simply by being there have they made this experience totally amazing..

Though this may be a goodbye, its not goodbye forever. I will be back and It wont just be the once. There is too much here for me to only come back once.

I hope that my legacy here wont be forgotten. I hope that whatever I have done here has helped in some way, if it has changed the lives of someone for the better, and that the laughs I have shared with the people here, can be shared with those thousand, due to pass through too.  I hope that I am not forgotten, because I will never forget you.



So Germany: Its time for me to go, and for you to stay. Thank you for the Adventure, now go have a new one.

Not long left.. SO CRAM IT ALL IN!

Well, As Im sure that you all know by now, my time here is very close to the end. This time, im not going to be all mopey and complain about how the time has gone fast - not this time!  No, this time, im going to talk about what I have been up to of late.

Ill admit, that I have my diary in front of me here. This is not one of those "dear diary..." style ones, but one that keeps me and my life in order. Without it ..  the world would come caving in, and I would be curled up in a dark corner, muttering missed appointments to myself!

The last time I typed anything, was a while after Easter, but it was about Easter, So .. im going to start from there! :D

The first week back at work was hard work, because the Easter holidays were more "free time, that i filled up so much, that there was no free time anymore" So I was back after work after my "break", having not really stopped at all!  My friend came over from Scotland, and I was the typical tour guide! :P

However, I have written about that, so lets ignore it!

The first week back was also a new timetable. This was because of lots of reasons, and more than one day of about 70 pissed off teachers in a staff room.  Without going into too much detail though, I had to make my own.

Of course, I boobed it completely!

Here is a tip: If you are teaching in room 341 from 7:30- 8:20, you cant also be teaching in room 340 from 7:30- 8:20..  that (sad though it is) is impossible!

Still, according to my timetable, I was willing to give it a shot.

Guess what.. it didn't work! and. OF COURSE, there was no other lesson that I could move either of them to..  not one..  there are a total of 28 different lesson periods a week..  but one 1 would work...   great!   However, this issue has now been sorted...  by someone else! :D

The second week was emotional! I got some very good news, and in the same week, some very bad news from home. This was from the same person, and It sent me into worry-mode, especially with who it was exactly.  It was a week of sending   "are you alright?" texts, even though I knew the answer..   (yeah, I do that...   sorry!) but also a week of my brain trying to solve the worlds problems (yeah, I do that too!)

Im honest, I would not be like that if i was in the UK, where this person lives. But, being abroad, you feel a little detached from problems like this, especially when you are directly involved in some way.   It can be tough to take your mind off it (especially when you live the rock and roll lifestyle that I don't) and live alone..    so if you are going abroad, make sure you know how to distract yourself..

Luckily..  i do..  it involves organizing things that do not need organizing yet, walking around really quickly to feel important (a piece of paper in your hand usually helps!) and eating German sausages....


After the emotional week, it was a week of me , once again teaching Frisbee!! :D  Here is an example of harry potter, doing a hipster sport!

complete with University of Sunderland matching tracksuit..
'fashion' is my middle name...

I did about 3 double lessons overall, which made me feel like a true athlete (I even walked home afterwards!) one of which was with a 6 grade class! Luckily, their English was great, and they didn't question why I kept yelling "PANCAKE!" at them..   (its a way of catching...)

To top off this week, I went to the Opera!   Sadly without the small binoculars on a stick, I saw a Wagner. It was great, even if it was a total of 4 hours long (anything on you that makes contact with a chair hurts after that time!)  but i felt very cultured, which was great because I thought I needed a booster. I also forgot that it was written in OLD German, and was worried after 20 minutes that I had  lot of new words to learn..  This was cleared up..  I now know the words, and the modern version too!

We have had some nice weather (yeah, im from the UK! :D )  So here is Schlüchtern in the Sun! :D

a Lake

Sunset from my flat

A Nice view of a house that isnt mine..

Looking up the hill

The School

Looking down the Hill..

There was also an impromptu visit to wiesbaden! ..

Wiesbaden is really nice, and has its own natural (and hot) spring water. This water is said to contain healing properties, but don't drink more than a liter, as it contains cyanide, among other things.. It also has its own micro-climate, making it warmer than the rest of the area. This was great, as Dortmund were playing in the football, so we could sit outside, chill and have a few bets int he sun - wonderful!



The last week has been good too, Another frisbee lesson on Monday, and a Day off on Wednesday! Friday I was up early to go and drink coffee, but also.. I had to prepare..

Some of you will know, that I have an obsession with Motorsport, particularly 4 wheels - even my twitter name is mikee_F1 ..     so, when I got the chance to go and watch some, I bit the chance!!

yes, I am typing this now, still buzzing from watching the DTM at Hockenheim! :D

LOOK!!

The Welcome Sign

Out Seats

Me Standing on the In-field, after all the racing, you can walk the track!

The Lights!

Timo Glock

The Grid

The Grid Lights

The Train Station Sign

It was an awesome day. I would love to post all of the pics, but this is not a Motorsport blog, and not everyone cares about it!

So as you can tell, I have been busy, In 3 days, I fly home to go camping with Bear Grylls, and I also manage to sneak in a small leaving party too. Its all go here, which is weird, because its all go, just before the end!

Also, on a different note, I have had some really nice comments about my Blog. I thank those who have posted them! Its very much appreciated!

Have a great time! I may find time to post another soon!

Mike