Winner's Bouquet

When we had our solar panels fitted at the end of July we were entered in a Prize Draw.  And we were one of the 10 lucky winners in that draw.  G was invited to a reception this morning for a buffet/presentation/press conference.  She was given this bouquet as part of our prize.

I managed into work today, where I impressed everyone with some of the most vigorous sneezing ever heard in Wiesbaden.  After a day of that, we've agreed that I will work from home for the rest of the week.  I can cope with that.

Today was also All Saints Day.  This means nothing in Hessen, but it is a day off for lots of other German States (across the Rhein in Rheinland-Pfalz for example).  And what the people in the States who have this holiday LOVE doing, is going shopping in other States that don't have this holiday.

It really feels as if the population of Mainz drove to Wiesbaden today, to go shopping in shops that could have gone shopping in on Saturday.  But no.  Because it's a holiday in Rheinland Pfalz and the shops are open in Hessen.  So Charge of the Consumer Brigade. 

Shopping isn't a Thing for me, so i struggle to understand the appeal of Shopping Because You Can.

I'm reliably informed that it is worse than any other day of the year for getting into and out of Wiesbaden.  I can certainly attest to the fact that it was rotten trying to get home, but that had as much to do with my cold as anything else.  Loads of traffic and delayed buses are par for the course.  

Pass the Lemsip, Marlon.