The shortest stop in Vienna ever. First one for M. No, actually he has been there when he was just 2 months old. Cried so hard that we turned straight back home just after we arrived. Back then everything freaked me out. Being a new Mum was hard. Fed him, changed him, yet still cried nonstop, so drove home in hurry.

This time we arrived after a 4 hour drive from Jochberg. Another Kempinski of course, the Palais Hansen Kempinski.
Such a beautiful old building with a “hi tech” hotel within. It was originally built for the World Exhibition n 1873. Located at the famous Ring Boulevard. Everything is easily accessible.

Got the Ring suite, this time “just” one bedroom, the man of the family offering to sleep on the sofa.
Walking on the corridors was like walking in a maze, got lost twice. Opted for the staircase instead. Such a beauty, took a few pics of course of it.

Went for a stroll, which lasted about 3 hours. Walked past the Stock Exchange, Parliament, visited quite a few christmas markets, like the one at St. Stephen’s Square and Maria-Theresa Square.

No Christmas Market should be without Glühwein for me and Kinderpunsch for M. Had huge jam filled donuts, marshmallows in chocolate and a new favourite dish from Tirol, called Kasespatzle.
Tried it as an appetiser dish in Jochberg, loved it. Similar to our “gnocchi”. Pretty heavy, but on cold wintery nights when the wind is howling, snow is deep, just what you need .
In Vienna we had no snow, wasn’t even particularly cold. The weather is getting weird. Everyone is complaining about the lack of snow all over Europe. Gone are the years where you could almost count on a white Christmas, one can only dream of it like in the song.

Was a very busy Friday evening, the streets were packed, the lights were great. According to my son Vienna looks exactly like Budapest. He is right in a way, same architecture, we were the Austian-Hungarian Monarch after all.

Had a relaxing time in the bar, sharing a bottle of Grand Vin de Chateau Plaisance 2010. M was his usual self, dropping a whole plate of hommos on the carpet. Luckily it stuck to the plate and only had to hunt down a few runaway olives. My son.

The night was long, first the noise of the air condition, then the cars bothered me.
Living in the forest means no cars, no horns, no traffic, just utter silence. You can hear your own thoughts.

Got zillion thoughts. Thoughts that rush through my mind, some are welcome, some are not. Luckily morning came, and my gloomy thoughts retreated into my subconscious.

Quick but delicious breakfast of cappuccinos with croissants, then off we went to the airport.

2 flights later, with a brief stop in Lisbon finally arrived home. My other home, Madeira.

It’s like we never left. All was exactly the same. Except we had a huge pine tree in the corner. Louisa did a good job. Bigger than what we bargained for, but it is real and has so soft needles.

Soon it will be Christmas.

A time for families to be together, a time for peace, joy and happiness. And fights.

We had a fiery morning! Incredible sunrise , blazing red sky, dark blue ocean and me so full of pent up emotions.

Huge row with A over stupid things. Maybe he is not to blame entirely. A dear friend always tells me that the tone of my voice could be the problem. Maybe so. But when someone screams at me, I revert back to my old self, the child who had shivers run down her spine the moment her father walked in after a week away for work. My mouth went dry, had goosebumps all over my arms, knew what was coming,

No matter how hard I tried, and believe me I did, I always did something wrong, which resulted in punishment.

Been through this with A, he knows my conditions. No fighting, no screaming ever, especially in front of our son.

Retreated into the bathroom, standing under the hot, steamy water to wash away the hurt, to feel safe again. Crying under the shower. Haven’t done this in ages. Had no need for it. Don’t want to go back. Don’t ever want to go back.

Silent day followed, left son and father to be on their own, not quite ready to join in.
We still went to shop for Christmas decorations and did stuck up on groceries.

By night we were on talking terms again,.
l don’t know what he thinks. I don’t know what he expects from me….

All I know is that I want to be ME!!!!