Best Of The Vienna Christmas Markets

It’s only July  I know I know but if you feel like flying yourself off to Vienna in the weeks leading up to Christmas then you will find Vienna in full Christmas Sparkle about now.It doesn’t cost anything to look at the markets and it is a festive treat for the eyes and it is not tacky in the slightest , I know Christmas does have that problem.The aroma of Christmas bakery items packs a pre Christmas punch and don’t forget to wash it down with some warm Christmas wine.

Vienna has many Christmas markets and the traditional “Vienna Magic Of Advent “ which turns the city hall square into a magical fairyland complete with the most magical ice rink I’ve ever seen.There are Christmas markets then there are Vienna Christmas markets and these are the ones you need to go to in your lifetime they are simply amazing .. no they are out of this world !

Vienna sets the imperial stage when it comes to Christmas markets , markets spring up in the prettiest of squares and the Baroque backdrop is truly breathtaking ,Vienna is such an elegant city .The Christmas markets feel also cinematic with glittering Christmas trees, and sparkling decorations which are set against imperial palaces and impressive art installations.All this is combined with live music and cosy comfort food which is an absolute must at this time of year.

The tradition of the Christmas market dates back to medieval times and in Austria the Christmas market is very different you will find yourself sipping on Christmas punch which comes in a whole host of flavours, and each market has it own Christmas mug which you can either buy or return to get your deposit back.A must have snack is Kartoffelpuffer which is a heavy potato cake served with a variety of toppings , I had mine with sour cream and bacon.

Vienna Christmas World – Rathausplatz

This is the Christmas market I went to with my husband and we were so amazed at the set up of it all , one minute it isn't there and then magically it is all ready with overflowing Christmas magic.It is full of Christmas charm with over 150 wooden stalls, complete with lights dripping off tress the best ice rink I have ever seen.There is so mcc to see and buy and you will find some beautiful Christmas keepsakes and gifts for other people.

Belvedere Christmas Market

I was at the Belvedere on Saturday to see the art of Gustav Klimt and in particular the Kiss

While we were there they were setting up for the Christmas market and it looks like a very intimate Christmas market in a breathtaking setting , it is a perfect place for a stroll day or night.This is a Christmas market with a Baroque flavour it is smaller and more intimate as previously mentioned.You could buy yourself a handmade Christmas decoration here and enjoy the stately surroundings.

Meet Rainbow Fish......

Hi meet Rainbow Fish part of my classroom display for the play corner. Now I have no art skills at all, but I managed to do this. I managed to sketch out the basic shape of Rainbow Fish and gradually painted it and added the detail. What do you think do you like it?

The theme this term is water So I was put in charge of this classroom display and play corner . The play corner is on a under water aquarium theme. Here are some photos. I designed the whole thing, I must admit Rainbow Fish  is a great educational resource.

Note the cut out rainbow Fish characters on the blue film ( which is the water ).

Here we go inside the aquarium shell material to the side and blue material covering the top. Honestly it really feels like an aquarium in there, shame I am too big too play in there.

Look who it is! It is Olivia the bozz eyed Octopus though sadly her lips fell off.

Careful those giant waves don't sweep you away! more Rainbow Fish characters on the waves.

More Rainbow Fish  art . I hope you have enjoyed my pictures and I hope it gives you ideas for your classroom or at home. It is so simple to do and encourages a multitude of play ideas and helps promote their leaning. I welcome your comments. Thank you.

Meet Dave the googly eyed bee.

Meet Dave the googly eyed bee. I made him and seven others for the home corner in my classroom. Simple to do.

1. Paint a polystyrene ball yellow allow to dry.
2. Paint black stripes on allow to dry.
3. Stick googly eyes on.
4. Fold wings in black card and stick on.
5. Attach paper clip and use wool to hang up.

6. Name bee mine is called "Dave".

The Perfect Star Wars Gift For Christmas

Unless you’ve been living in the moon you can’t have failed to notice there’s a new Star Wars film coming out on the 14th December of which as a family we are all very excited , I have made sure I’ve booked my tickets ready for it. It of course will be sad to see the late Great Carrie Fisher but wonderful to see her again in the big screen. As a Stars Wars mad family we’ve everything from a full sized Storm Trooper helmet in the dining room to figures , Lego and cuddly toys. Art is very important in Star Wars it’s those movie posters that draw you in with the promise of excitement and adventure so why not this Christmas give a Star Wars fan a piece of art from Red Candy.

“Add a quirky homage to one of the most famous movies of all time to your interior! The Star Wars Framed Print is a wonderful piece by artist, Ale Giorgini, and presents some of the most notable characters from the original 1977 epic!

Complete with Vader, Luke, Chewy and Han Solo, this excellently cartoonish styled print has a very unique look and colour theme that is sure to draw the eye where ever you hang it. This delightful print is available in two sizes; A3 and A2. Each one comes in a black 20mm thick wooden frame with shatter-proof perspex cover.

This stylish print makes the perfect gift for any Star Wars fan and movie enthusiast”

Priced at £47 for an A2 size or £57 for an A3 size.

Disclosure I was given £45 towards a A3 size print then I put £12 towards it myself.

You can no longer get this print but you can get a very nice Star Wars door mat from Red Candy,

Wildlife Shenanigans

Welcome, dear reader, to another episode of the delightfully unpredictable soap opera that is British wildlife. Today, we delve into the bucolic yet utterly bonkers lives of the fauna that call this sceptred isle their home. Pour yourself a cuppa, settle into your favourite armchair, and prepare for tales that are more fantastical than an episode of EastEnders after the writers have had too many gin and tonics.

Squirrel Shenanigans

Let's start with the grey squirrel, the cheeky chappy of our woodlands. These bushy-tailed acrobats are essentially the parkour experts of the animal kingdom. I once watched one perform a high-stakes heist that would put Danny Ocean to shame. There he was, Mr. Squirrel, perched precariously on the edge of my bird feeder, gazing wistfully at the bounty within. With a daring leap, he landed squarely in the center, scattering seeds everywhere. What followed was a slapstick routine worthy of Buster Keaton, involving multiple slips, slides, and a final triumphant face-plant into my begonias. The squirrel scampered away with a sunflower seed clutched victoriously in his tiny paws, while I was left to clean up what looked like the aftermath of a particularly rowdy bird banquet.

Hedgehog Hijinks

Next on our tour is the humble hedgehog. These nocturnal wanderers have a talent for appearing at the most inconvenient times. Picture this: a moonlit night, a cozy bed, and just as you’re drifting into blissful slumber, you hear it. The unmistakable sound of a hedgehog trying to breakdance in your garden. Stealthily, you creep to the window, half expecting to see a troupe of tiny hedgehog hip-hop artists practicing their moves. Instead, you spot a solitary hedgehog, having a tussle with a particularly stubborn piece of litter. Eventually, the hedgehog emerges victorious, prancing away with a triumphant snort, leaving you chuckling at its late-night antics.

Fox Follies

Ah, the urban fox. Nature’s answer to the tabloid celebrity. These ginger rogues are often seen sauntering down the street with all the nonchalance of a catwalk model. One night, I was treated to a sight worthy of a reality TV show. Mr. Fox had discovered the delights of my neighbor’s bin and was making a meal of its contents. Halfway through his gourmet feast, he was rudely interrupted by Mrs. Fox, who clearly did not appreciate the late-night snack session. What ensued was a domestic squabble of epic proportions, complete with yips, yelps, and a lot of dramatic tail flicking. In the end, Mr. Fox trotted off in a huff, leaving Mrs. Fox to tidy up the remains, all while muttering foxish obscenities under her breath.

Badger Ballet

And then, we have the badger. Imagine, if you will, the elegance of a badger ballet. Now, replace "elegance" with "bumbling" and "ballet" with "awkward waddling," and you’ll have a more accurate picture. One particularly memorable evening, I stumbled upon a badger in my garden. There he was, snuffling around with the intensity of a truffle pig. Intrigued, I watched as he found an old, forgotten tennis ball. What followed was a display of sheer determination as Mr. Badger attempted to carry the ball away. He nudged it, he rolled it, he even tried to pick it up with his paws, only to end up looking like a clumsy circus performer. Eventually, he gave up and waddled off in search of less challenging prey, leaving me in fits of laughter.

Rabbit Romps

Finally, let’s talk about rabbits. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of observing these fluffy critters, you’ll know they can be both adorable and utterly exasperating. Take, for example, the great carrot heist of last summer. I had carefully planted a row of carrots, envisioning a bountiful harvest. One morning, I awoke to find my garden looking like a scene from a Bugs Bunny cartoon. There, in the middle of the chaos, sat a rabbit, chomping away on what was left of my prize carrot. As I approached, he looked up, gave me a nonchalant twitch of his nose, and continued his breakfast. It was hard to be angry when faced with such unabashed cheekiness, so I did what any self-respecting gardener would do—I took a photo for posterity and resigned myself to buying carrots from the supermarket.

The Conclusion of Chaos

So there you have it, folks—a glimpse into the wonderfully wacky world of British wildlife. These creatures, with their charming antics and endless escapades, bring a touch of humor and joy to our lives. They remind us that, even in the midst of the mundane, there is always room for a little wild, unpredictable fun. Whether it’s a squirrel’s daring heist, a hedgehog’s nighttime dance, or a fox’s domestic drama, there’s never a dull moment in the great British outdoors. So next time you find yourself frustrated by the chaos in your garden, just remember: somewhere out there, a hedgehog is breakdancing, and life is good.