±«Óãtv

Gerhard..pictures from 36 years...swimming costume...

was this "just a thong at highlights"?

I'm really getting into this excellent blog - thanks for doing it - it really cheers me up, being a remote ex-pat in the wildest reaches of arctic Sweden to read of your escapades (the ups and the downs) in Germany!

It reminds me of when I drove through Frankfurt once and quickly learnt that mechanics everywhere do that "das ist nicht gut!" look - plus "zwei neue gummi!" isn't a phrase you want to hear after 10 hours' driving...

I look forward though to reading how Svan handles the Hockenheim track - perhaps you should do a race between Svan and one of you on inlines?? My money's on a draw...

Personally I'm looking forward to driving my red Saab coupé to England in 2 weeks' time for the Final - complete with St George's flag on the roof, à la "My car is Swedish but I am not so please don't trash it!!!"

Best of luck - I'll keep reading - but might skip future references to German campsite owners in swimming trunks....*shudder*.....

You guys are Krazy!

Don't forget to crank up the stereo to the tune of "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac when you are flying around the track! I can hear Murray Walker now.

You guys should see if any of your ±«Óãtv contacts can get in touch with that crazy German woman who drove Richard Hammond around the Nurburgring for Top Gear, she would give Svan a very energetic workout and I doubt Svan would ever experience being handled that expertly by a woman again!!

Well, then the first thing you guys should do is head for the Nuerburgring NOT the Hockenheimring. The Nordschleife (former Nuerburgring) is open to the public and a great track. As far as I know Hockenheim isn't open for the general public, and anyways it's nowhere near as good as the Nordschleife...

I just finished Spain VS Ukraine. This was one of the best games.

awesome stuff

can u please tell me is it the world cup that the bbc are showing or is it the england road-show?

You're not doing a very good Clarkson impression mif you try a lap of the Hockenheim F1 circuit. Clarkson's far more impressive feat was a lap of the awesome Nurburgring Nordschleife (again avoiding the sanitised GP cicuit which shares the illustrious name "Nurburgring" but is a pitiful attempt to cash in on the name).

What would you recommend as a half time snack to create an authentic German atmosphere (not your favourite, their favourite)?

Do they criticise or congratulate themselves in the media on the way they are organising the world cup?

You can't be doing a Clarkson if you are driving the Hockenheimring, especially not in its new over sanitised F1 circuit guise. Get Svan over to the awesome Nurburgring Nordschleife and do a 'Clarkson' in style...just keep it away from the pitiful joke which is the Nurburgring GP circuit.

Good luck on Hockenheim lads.

I've never read a blog before this but now I'm hooked. It's excellent! You should have your own TV show.

Since Svan's on the mend, I'd love to see you pop down to one of my favourite shops near Munich. It's one of Germany's finest purveyors of traditional German
dress.

Given Fletch's criticism of his German host's attire, I'd love to see him paying proper homage to Germany's sartorial riches. Let's see him in Lederhosen!

Angermaier
Am Viktualienmarkt
Rosental 10
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Was it you that gave me a toot in passing on the A3 today, or was it one of the several hundred other British camper vans heading Southwest?

Ps. Go on, give us a link!

Patrick, you wrote:

Do they criticise or congratulate themselves in the media on the way they are organising the world cup?

Well, I am one of those sceptic Germans don´t believing that ´06 was going to be a great World Cup. But hey: Really everyone praises the great atmosphere in the stadiums, in the streets, in the bars (I´m a regular ±«Óãtv Radio 1-listener), most games are nice to watch and maybe it´s just a new kind of Germany the world sees, what makes this World Cup for us Germans so special.

As I said before: Not only me was sceptic, but what we experienced by now it´s going to be a terrific World Cup (and I´m looking forward to Germany vs. England ;-)) so maybe we can really be proud a litte bit, can´t we?

Best,

Lars
(Essen, Germany)

Just for the record - we desperately wanted to go to the Nurburgring but it was shut because of a 24-hour race.

I thought it was pretty decent of Hockenheim to fit us in at such short notice so make sure you check out Ricco's blog on it.

And as for Rob P - if you think I'm wearing traditional German dress....

PLS persenter.
Help us tell FIFA that we are not happy with the way some of her refer, look away when some clear peneties offence are committed againt African Teams