Merry Christmas and a great 2024

While we're enjoying a green Christmas here in Canada (so far) just as they probably are in Australia, New Zealand, and other southern hemisphere corners of the Commonwealth, I envy  our comrades who reside in Germany who are enjoying the kind of Christmas I always thought was the best with the snow, songs, lights, and atmosphere in general. But wherever in the world you are, I want to wish everyone a wonderful yuletide season and may 2024 be very good and happy to you and yours.

Roderick MacIntosh (recce83)

Whilst agreeing and echoing the Yuletide sentiment encouraged by recce83 (84 years old and still remembering);    I hate to report that Northern Germany is grey, intensely wet and very windy (more than 100 kph).  Trees are falling, trains are delayed and flooding is happening on the Rhine, Ruhr and coastal areas.  Tidal waters are backing up - Hamburg Fish Market is flooded.
Koln (Cologne) is expecting trouble or an Islamist attack, Polizei (they now wear blue uniforms instead of the tan trousers and green jackets) are on alert.

There has been snow in  Harz, Winterberg and Erzgebirge but prevailing winds are too warm for the snow to stay- a white Christmas is not on the cards.  Germany also has a cost of living crisis and shopkeepers are already bemoaning reduced takings - eg Bratwurst and chips (Red/white) can cost as much as 7 €uro, but money has not been spent.  The January Sales will be wonderful, perhaps, ski suits and winter woollies much discounted.

As many people have observed - if glaciers, ice fields and ice bergs are melting, the water has to go somewhere - pouring down caves and tunnels in the Eastern Med won't make a lot of difference.  

To all you people contributing to this site (reading, commenting or adding to the mystery that is history) many thanks and please keep up your interest whilst enjoying  health and personal success in 2024.
"The present is in the past!"

Merry Christmas and Happy and Healthy New Year

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