Wow, Gee ..... Nice to have a big welcome like that! Thank you.

Ha ha ha .... I have to laugh, cause I recognise some of the old crowd from another forum - they who kakked (SA phrase meaning "were cheeky" ) on me when I muddled around dithering with my first posting there ... ha ha haaaa cough cough ha ha haa!

My favourite most used phrase in German is "Sprechen langsaam bitte".

I only began formal german lessons late last year, cause I found that our local Gemeinder subsidise lessons for our area (Unterland). The Migros and other courses put me off cause they are SO expensive, & meant a long travel. This course costs work out at Sfr5 per lecture - two lectures of one hour each per day - two days a week. Its part of their Integration plan, and officially recognised. (and I`ve had compliments on my new-found german speaking/understanding!)