Learning to hear German

I'm trying different strategies to improve my German listening skills. I tried recording myself read a passage and then listen back and write down what I said. Interestingly most of it was easy to pick up, but I could only capture a few words at a time; up to three, and I would have to stop and rewind and re-check.

What I stuggle with is und, I keep hearing it as un. I keep leaving the r off of einer. And three words I struggled with were bewaldete, frütterte and wechselte. Even hearing multiple times I came up with wiewoltete, vertote and wuchselte. Funny I should mistake "b" for a "w", but understandable for thinking an "f" was a "v".

Then I tried recording a short vocab list and tried writing down the english. Interestingly I struggled writing the english unless I'd written the german down first for certain words.

My word I'm a world a way from hearing german and then translating it on the fly!

Location:UK

Shopping Rage

I went shopping in Asda at 2.00pm on Saturday, and I've never known it so crazy. There was a free for all for a parking space, some funny behaviour was to be observed;

- The guy in the car behind kept honking his horn and shouting out hurry up, though we couldn't move anywhere

- At one of the junctions two opposing cars were having an argument with lots of f works thrown in

- Coming down an isle I couldn't move anywhere as I was blocked in front and behind. Asked lady in front to move as lady B came round the corner - who wasn't going to move out the way. There wasn't anywhere I could go, so I waited until she realised. MOVE OUT THE WAY!!!

I got out supprisingly quickly, despite the queues, not sure I'll shop at that time again.

Location:Asda Basildon

Bavarian Beer House

http://www.bavarian-beerhouse.com/index.php?id=146

Went to the Bavarian beer house in Tower Hill on Thursday. Had a really nice time. It was fun trying a bit of German out with the waitress.

Just go out side entrance of Fenchurch street and head under the archway and its on your left.

The food was yummy. I recommend getting pretzels for starters. I had Oktoberfest Chicken and it was yummy. The apple strudel was great. The beer I had was lovely, and they've got a really good selection, including a glass which is massive

Location:London

Vettel tries to take Webber out

Oh deary me what was Vettel thinking at the Turkish GP?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8713780.stm


The Red Bull team boss blames Webber, but is quite clear Vettel just suddenly turned on Webber. Vettel is really getting flustered by Webber, I hope Webber carries the title bid for Red Bull. Welldone the McLarens, great driving from Lewis and Button.

Location:UK

Awesome karting

I went karting at Buckmore Park http://www.buckmore.co.uk/ in Kent. It was totally awesome. Here is my timing sheet.






I wasn't very fast but this was bloody awesome! These things go at 70mph and the people with "S_" had 80mph karts. I can highly recommend this to anyone. Oh yeah and its where Button and Hamilton karted as kids.

Location:UK

Petrol score!

Look, bang on £50.50, or SOSO, totally awesome!

Location:UK

Karaoke Box

Party at Karaoke box Friday night, we had a 10 person room and it was about £130 for 2 hours. Details see here; http://www.karaokebox.co.uk/smithfield/rooms/



Totally awesome, you get your own private room, so you're amongst friends and don't feel self concious. I sang until my jaw hurt! There is a buzzor, and a waitor will pop in and get your drinks order, they didn't want to sing though!

Its not far from Farringdon tube station, though we took a taxi from Shoreditch and it only cost £7 bargain! That's so much cheaper than my local taxis.

Had to leave early to get a train from Fenchurch street; the last train is at 12.20, boo c2c!

Location:UK