Chapter 16 - The New Tractor

Idioms -   To try your hand at something . .. to attempt something new for the first time.   To get the hang of something - to succeed with something.   To give something a go - to try something.  It's  easy to handle - easy to use / very straightforward. Things on one's mind - things one is thinking about or occupied with.  To run to something - to be able to afford something.  Over the moon - very happy.

Redewendungen –   To try one's hand at something - Sich an etwas versuchen – etwas Neues zum ersten Mal ausprobieren.   To get the hang ..  Den Dreh raus haben – etwas erfolgreich machen.   To try something new -Etwas ausprobieren – etwas versuchen.  Easy to handle - Es ist  leicht zu handhaben – einfach zu bedienen / sehr unkomplizier.t.    Things on one`s mind - Dinge, die einem durch den Kopf gehen – Dinge, über die man nachdenkt oder mit denen man beschäftigt ist.  To run to something - Sich etwas leisten können – in der Lage sein, sich etwas zu kaufen.  Over the moon - Überglücklich sein – sehr glücklich sein.

The Bartons - Chapter 16 - The New Tractor

I say Dave, Do you fancy trying your hand at driving the new tractor?  I'm sure, you'll quickly get the hang of it.

A great idea, Dad.  I`ll give it a go after lunch.

You'll find it very easy to handle, Dave,  It's very easy to handle. In fact, I might even let mum have a try.

Be careful, Dad.  She'll probably drive it straight into the river.  And, we dont want that, do we?

I see your point, Dave. And, in any case, I don't suppose mum`s the slightest bit interested in tractors. She's got other things on her mind.

That's right, dad.  I wonder how's she's getting on at the photo club.

She's really doing well, Dave.  In fact, some of her pictures are really quite amazing.  She showed me some last night, And, the interesting thing is, they're all black and white.

Mum has a very good eye, dad.  I remeber seeing the pictures she took on holiday last year. All black and white. All very interesting.

I remeber them, too.  And, just imagine, Dave. She shot them all with her mobile.   Amazing what one can do with mobiles these days. 

You're right dad.   But, don't forget, mum's very talented.

I see what you're saying saying, Dave. And, that's just given me an idea.  It's mum's birthday soon.  I'm sure I could run to a very good camera. What do you say, Dave?

She'd be over the moon, dad.  But, ask her before you buy one. You don't want to be getting the wrong one, do you?

Very true, Dave.  I'll talk to her later.    But now, it's time for elevenses.  

A good idea, dad. A nice cup of coffee and a nice slice of cherry cake.

Questions - What is Dave going to try his hand at?   Will Dave quickly get the hang of driving the new tractor?  Why shouldn't Jean try driving the new tractor.  What is Jean's hobby?   Has Jean got a very expensive camera?  Are Jean's pictures back and white or colour?  What is Ken thinking of giving Jean for her birthday?  Can Ken run to a good camera for Jean?  Will Jean be over the moon with a new camera?  Why is it important to ask Jean what kind of camera she wants?  What's for elevenses?

Chapter 15 - A Birthday Surpise for Jane

 

Idioms

So much so - very much. -  To go to town on something - to do a great job - to make something well. -To play one's cards right - to be nice - to be clever -  Neither nor - weder noch - To hit the nail on the head - to say or do something that is entirely right.  -  To knock something up means to make something quickly.  **  All-round - universal

So much so - so sehr. *  To go to town on something -  etwas perfekt zu machen.  *  Neither nor - weder noch  *  To hit the nail on the head - etwas Richtiges sagen oder tun *  To knock something up - etwas schnell zu machen.  * All-round - universal

The Bartons - Chapter 15 - A Birthday Surprise for Jane

Dad, I hear you're going  into town this afteroon. 

No, not this afternoon, Dave. I went to town yesterday. I'm going to the village today.  

Are you going to Smith's, dad? 

No, I'm going to the vet's, Dave.  I've got a bill to pay.  But, I could easily pop into Smith's if there's anything you want

I need some glue and  nails dad. I'm making a coffee table for Jane.  It's her birthday soon. 

Why a coffee table, Dave?

Jane was really happy with the kitchen table I made her for Christmas. In fact, so much so, that she asked me to make a coffee table for her lounge.

I'm not surprised Jane liked the kichen table you made her. You really went to town on it.  You did a wonderful job. In fact, I could easily  imagine having one of your tables in my study. 

Well dad, if you play your cards right, I might even make you one for Christmas.

That would be nice Dave, something to look forward to.  So, glue and nails from Smith's.

That's right, dad.

Any special kind of glue, Dave?

No, dad, just normal wood glue, please.

And, what kind of nails, Dave?

One packet of nails with their heads on the left, and one packet of nails with their heads on the right.  The left headed nails are for the left hand side of the table, and the right headed nails are for the right hand side of the table. 

That's interesting, Dave.  How do you know which is the right hand side ot the table and which is the left hand side of the table?

That's easy, dad.  The right hand side of the table is the opposite side of the left hand side of the table.

And, what kind of nails do need for round tables?

A good question, dad.  Round tables have neither left hand sides nor right hand sides. So, for round tables, one should always use all-round nails.

That's easy to remember, Dave. All-round nails for round tables. 

That's right dad, you've just hit the nail on the head.  All-round nails for round tables. Now you know.

 I also know I'm hungry.  Let's get mum to knock up some elevenses,

A great idea.  A nice cup of coffee and a nice slice of cherry cake.

Questions - Is Ken going to town?  Where is Ken going?  What does Dave need from Smith's?  What kind of shop is Smith's?  What are left headed nails used for?  What are right headed nails used for?    What kind of nails are used for round tables?  Why is Dave making a coffee table for Jane?  Is Dave a good carpenter?  What do Dave and Ken want Jean to knock up?  What do you have for elevenses every day?