Water security, cancer and research in Austria
Could moves to “normalise” larger clothes sizes have a link to health risks such as cancer? And why should I travel to an 18th century Habsburg Palace to find out? 15 kilometres from Vienna is the...
View ArticleVienna to Bratislava: a very British journey
What is British and travels from Vienna to Bratislava? The answer is the new “Twin City Liner”, a catamaran built by the Wight’s shipyard in the Isle of Wight, which starts a new service along the...
View ArticleThe Hare with Amber Eyes – live in Linz
A family is torn apart by war and discrimination. Many family members are murdered. Years later, a descendant of one of the survivors tries to find out what happened. This might not sound a promising...
View ArticleAre British gardens the best? Visit Britain and decide for yourself!
I was delighted last month to attend the annual spring opening of Praskac Pflanzenland, one of Austrian’s largest gardening suppliers. Praskac rather brilliantly have this year chosen the theme of...
View ArticleVienna Girlsday: lessons in Styrian dialect and a visit to Burgenland
Last week, for the second year running, the British Embassy Vienna took part in the “Vienna Girlsday”. I certainly learned a lot. The aim of the “Girlsday” (in German it is called “Töchtertag” or...
View ArticleCelebrating Vienna’s Third Man Legacy
As a big fan of The Third Man I was delighted to attend two events last week, celebrating 70 years of the 1949 classic in Vienna. My previous blogs on the film, including how I re-named the bedrooms in...
View ArticleDrugs in Vienna: making a difference internationally
One of Vienna’s key international organisations is the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the UNODC. But how exactly do countries work with UNODC to combat the illegal use of drugs? Every...
View ArticleNo such thing as a fish
At the beginning of April, I was delighted to find out that a British podcast at the intersection of comedy and science had been chosen for the City of Vienna’s annual science communication award. To...
View ArticleTurner comes to Gmünd
Are there 2,550 reasons to visit Gmünd, in Carinthia? No. There are 2551. When I first started work at the Department of the Environment in 1979, I used to go once a week with a friend at lunchtime...
View ArticleWhere does the rain fall? London, Vienna… or Rome?
Very, very, occasionally, when it rains in Austria, an Austrian friend will say to me “Englisches Wetter, ha ha!” I smile politely. The UK is famously rainy, correct? We’ve all read Sherlock Holmes...
View ArticleBrexit in Vienna: a busy July
These are busy times in London and Vienna. A new Prime Minister will take office in London shortly. The UK is due to leave the EU by 31 October at the latest. In Austria, a new Austrian interim...
View ArticleMedia freedom
A campaigning journalist in Mexico receives a call before dawn about an incident at a night club. He quickly goes there. As he arrives, he is shot dead – one of 99 journalists killed worldwide in...
View ArticleAfter three years, more #keenonWien than ever
Today I celebrate my three-year anniversary in Vienna. A lot has happened since I stepped off the train from London (via Salzburg) in August 2016. Together with my team at the Embassy we have have...
View ArticleOutstanding British food and drink in Vienna
‘You should try this English sparkling wine.’ ‘Really? Is it any good?’ ‘Try some. Make your own mind up.’ ‘OK.’ (Long pause.) ‘Wow. Can I have a couple more glasses?’ Our annual Queen’s Birthday...
View ArticleA Tam O’Shanter in Vienna
The headgear is a subtle grey with a bright blue bobble. It sits aslant the head, keeping you warm and dry. I was delighted recently to attend the HQ of the London Scottish Regiment in Westminster to...
View ArticleBrexit outreach events in Austria
You may have seen on social media in recent weeks that the embassy is organising another round of Brexit events around Austria. Previous events (we have done 17 so far) have been an important...
View Article“Our Planet: Our Business” – what you can do
What climate-induced catastrophes might a child born today experience? Such a child might see the disappearance of insects and pollinators. During the child’s lifetime, plant and animal species will...
View ArticleHealthcare for UK nationals in Austria after Brexit
The UK is preparing to leave the EU on 31st October. If there is a deal, your current rights as a resident of Austria will remain the same, as long as you remain resident in Austria. If there is no...
View ArticleDiscovering Austria through Hiking in the Fog
“Are you getting out?” “Yes”, I replied. “I’m getting out of the cable car. And the Prime Minister has made clear we will leave the EU on 31 October.“ I never thought I would have to explain British...
View ArticleWhite trees, blue skies and a green plan
Have you ever wondered why the trees are painted white in Vienna? To stop cars running into them, protect them from dogs? The special paint protects new bark from the summer sun! Woodland trees don’t...
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