.

Cold enough to freeze
As the cold unrelentingly permeates every pore, I am reminded of an interview by Kim Hill of someone who had recently returned from a trip to Antarctica, Graeme Sidney, the artist, I think it was. He illustrated to Kim the effect of the cold by referring to the condom vending machines at Scott Base. They dispensed three sizes, he said: Small, even smaller and inverted.
In summer it is different. The Germans have a healthy attitude to nudity and most of the major cities have public parks where it is the accepted norm to strip right off and make the most of the fresh air and sun. Ironically in Munich, the Englischer Garten is renowned for this most unlike English pastime.
Jade tells us that, when she was working for Emirates, the hotel in which the airline put flight crews up in Frankfurt was adjacent to that city’s main park for such recreational nudity, something which always came as a shock to new and unsuspecting crew members, particularly those from Muslim and other more inhibited countries of origin.
Footnote: Kaelene has brought a new pair of boots as a first step towards being a German in winter. The shop at which she brought the boots sells the equivalent of snow chains, for footwear. Amazing but true!