Nice time with A and K

I had a really nice evening with A and K

That was last night and as I was working on these photos today I discovered the Ottawa photos I have just posted 'hidden' on my digital memory.

Andrea and Ken recently moved to a new flat and I was invited to a kind of 'flat-warming meal' - and just for me! I liked the flat as soon as I entered. It was built about the same time as mine but is in the north of the district where I live. The rooms are on two floors so they have lots of space and a nice big shared garden at the back. I want to live there!

I arrived from teaching at the Institute so was a bit tired, but it was like suddenly waking up into a new world. First Andrea gave me lots of water to drink (thanks - I needed it for I don't drink enough water when I am teaching and only notice this later!) then took me on a tour as Ken finished off cooking the meal. I want a study like they have but didn't take a photo because it is still under re-construction. They have a balcony and a hobby room and two bathrooms!! It's true. One on each floor and I mean fully furnished bathrooms!

The dining room and kitchen are on the lower floor with a large 'L' shaped living room and the main bedroom above. including Andrea's little corner with her books and music and relaxing chair. You can see her relaxing in the photos. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, feeling at ease as soon as I entered, the very tasty meal, wine and intelligent conversation which ranged over many topics. I wish them both well and am happy they have found such a relaxing place to live in.

Ottawa

Woops! Forgot Ottawa!!

How could I have not noticed that I had forgotten to add photos of the centre of Ottawa in my reports about my recent visit to the USA and Canada? Sorry Ottawa!

The centre is a real tourist treat dominated by Parliament Hill on both sides of a river and to the north of Confederation Park. The university is to the south east and the whole area is almost an island with the Ottawa River to the north forming the border between the provinces of Quebec and Ottawa. Even so, you see lots of street and other signs in English and French.

The architecture is clearly 'Gothic' of the Victorian era, as you can see from these photos of Parliament House, and the National Monument with other views of what is called the governmental centre of the town.

One day I shall return and also take in Montreal and Quebec on the mighty St. Lawrence river. If you get the chance to visit then take it for I really could live in Ottawa, which is more than I can say for most of the north east of the USA I visited.

Storkow

Storkow(Mark)

I went there yesterday with Hermann. A quick decision for we had planned a longer day out but the weather was rather changeable so we did a shorter tour.

We took a little train owned by a private company called ODEG and one hour later stepped out at Storkow(Mark). I had never heard of it before and Hermann had never been there, but said it was a typical small Brandenburg town situated on the north of a long lake, which is one of a series to the south of Berlin.

It was a good decision and I really liked the Old Market Place dominated by a 400 year old oak tree in the middle. Lots of water around the place and two streams run through the town into the lake and there is a connection to the canal which will take boats north to Berlin.

One photo is arriving at the station, one as you enter the lake from the canal connection and the third is of a bridge which opens to let boats through then into a lock as they journey north. I can recommend a day there and plan to take the train again to see other small towns on the route to Frankfurt-Oder on the Polish border.

Settling in

Settling in post USA

This note is prompted by all of you who called, e-mailed etc to ask how I was after my return from the USA and to get invitations to do a number of things. Thanks to all of you.

I was surprised at the number of requests for teaching so the first two weeks back were very busy. Things are slowing now as two courses ended and a new one has just started. My private students have also all registered for more lessons and I visit Hans again each Monday. I was pleasantly surprised to see that he had cleaned his room before I arrived - progress!

In addition, I've been to a few concerts and helped Micha with computer problems and I am on Skype more trying to contact nephew Warren and teach one student using this medium. Saturday I'm having a late birthday lunch with Hermann and on Sunday we are going on a trip north of Berlin. Andrea and Ken have invited me to see their new flat on Friday of next week. Looking forward to that!

The month will end with a trip to the Natural Sciences Museum to see a presentation about Darwin and his successors, and then to Oranienburg to see the big flower show there. I also have to sort out a trip to the UK and a visit to Spain problem.

Lots to do and I shall try to take photos and post in reports to this blog.

Goodbye lobster

Anyone for lobster?

My last full day was spent with Jan in his laboratory and library where we checked his latest text. I also bought myself a nice gray and blue sweatshirt with the legend of ' University of Rhode Island' on it. I am wearing it now.

We later drove to a small fishing town where you can buy fresh fish and so we bought lobsters. I had never eaten fresh lobster before and so was set for a new adventure. I bought a light dry wine to accompany the lobster and so return to the kitchen.

Jan explained how and why they were cooked in this way. At least I am a little wiser now should I be called upon to cook lobster in the future. I think the photos tell the story very well. I only remember a quiet evening as I started to pack my bag. Next day Jan drove me to Boston airport and we said our goodbyes.

The return flight was better than the first one. It was made more interesting by talking to my neighbour. She was a young and very attractive lady from Wales who now lived in the USA with her family and was travelling to Madrid to meet a group, and all planned to improve their Spanish. Amazing the people you meet on a flight!

The flight from Madrid to Berlin was full but pleasant. Finally, I was very happy to turn the key and open my own front door after three weeks of opening so many other doors!

The last word has to go to Jan. I saw him under tremendous pressure as he worked to finish his MSc and I am pleased that I was able to help him. I am sure he will get his two degrees without any problem after finishing the last section on his own. I am also sure he is looking forward to the next phase of his life which has to be finding a job and being with Arancha.

I could not have made the trip without his support, nor have enjoyed my time in New York without him acting as a guide. Danke lieber Jan and I look forward to seeing you in Berlin in early August. I already have the beers in the fridge for you. Just waiting for your call.

Big Apple 2

Big Apple 2

I have no memory of breakfast before we galloped off to the subway for another day of sightseeing. This was concentrated on the northern part of Manhatten and took in Central Park, Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange - with the famous bronze of a bull near it, New York State Library -what architecture - you must see it. And Grand Central Station is a must as well.

I also had a wander around a very expensive mens clothing store on 5th Avenue and enjoyed the use of their luxury toilet! It was the kind of place you felt you had to pay to enter as you opened the door. I bought a rucksack at a nearby and much cheaper store the we wandered around the area before noting it was 3.00 pm.

Time to get to Times Square to meet Joel on the 'Red Steps'. He is from my Friday group in Berlin where we learn about how to change photographs in the computer. Yes, he had just arrived in New York and was staying at a flat on 42nd Street owned by friends who were on holiday hence he had the use of the flat. We had lunch together and a good chat before we went our separate ways.

Jan and I returned to the hotel and picked up the car. We left at 6.00 pm and arrived home at 9.45 pm where we had a light snack, I had a well deserved G&T. We chatted about the weekend and hit the big ZZZZ's by midnight. That was a weekend to remember!

Big Apple 1

Big Apple 1

On my return I had a quiet day catching up on Jan's experiments and what I needed to check = not much then! I made myself useful in other ways such as shopping, washing, ironing and other exciting things!

Next day we set off for New York. Jan had already found a good hotel for a reasonable price in Queens not too far away from Manhatten. We arrived at midday and booked in. Left the car at the hotel and did all our travelling by subway. I was reminded more of London Tube than of the U-Bahn system in Berlin. You certainly see some interesting and strange characters in the subway.

We went to the site of the World Trade Towers, which is now just a big building site, took the Statten Island Ferry which takes you past the Statue of Liberty. It was then not open to the public except for the base section. Now you can go to the top. On our return we walked to Brooklyn Bridge then took in 5th Avenue area, walked through China Town and through Little Italy before arriving in Times Square.

By then it was dark so we decided to return to the hotel where my notes say we ate sandwiches, I had white dry wine and we fell asleep watching the latest Batman film on TV. Interesting end to an interesting day!

End of BIG Tour

End of BIG Tour

The weather was warm and sunny as I finally entered Toronto, and did I have an adventure trying to park near the lake front to see the central skyline. Finally made it but on restricted parking and then forgot to take my camera. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many parks and green areas as I drove into the city and liked the sense of space they gave to the city.

Driving in any city is a nightmare for any tourist. Alone I had to be driver, navigator and beady eyed tourist trying to take in all the sights. I generally only managed to be the driver! I then drove along the north shore of Lake Ontario, past Kingston as the entrance to 'Thousand Islands'. A wonderful place to retire too and a paradise for boat owners and water lovers. I spent one night there taking in the sights then off to Ottawa next morning.

Nice drive there through changing flatter scenery. Then the same story of getting lost in endless traffic trying to get to the river to see the Parliament building and other architectural delights housing the central government. I finally made it but couldn't stop so saw it all at a crawl through the car windscreen. I later saw more of the city and met some very interesting and helpful people. At this point I decided I could not include Montreal and Quebec. I would have needed another week to take that all in at the pace I was going, so I took a turn south and crossed the St. Lawrence river just north-east of ' Thousand Islands' and so returned to the USA.

I entered the north of New York State, which is a huge national park. I liked it immediately and decided to spent the day just seeing as many of the lakes and pretty tourist villages as I could. On my way I went to Potsdam, founded in 1806, and couldn't resist taking a photo. The locals I talked to didn't know that the original was near Berlin! I later met a very nice lorry driver who give me tips and directions, and so found Lake Placid.

This is where the USA Winter Olympic Team train. I could see why as soon as I arrived. I could have stayed a week just exploring the area. I spent my last night at Glenn Falls and had my best meal there at Joe's Bar. Next day it was cold and raining and so I set off for a full days drive back to RI in weather that was like a winters day. Thoughts of the sunny days I had just left, and my Beethoven Quartet CDs en-route helped to make the drive back bearable.

More Big Tour

More BIG Tour

I enjoyed Niagara Falls so much that I stayed two nights so I could take in some of the area where there are local private vineyards. The area is well known for its range of white wine but there are some very full reds produced. At last, in Canada, I could have a glass of wine with my evening meal. What a refreshing change from the puritanism of the 'land of the founding fathers'!

I walked down the river on my second day and enjoyed that - also meeting locals for a chat. I took in the tourist adventure of 'The Maid of the Mist'. It is boat with a powerful engine which takes tourists, complete with blue plastic capes, slowly past the American Falls then into the Horseshoe Falls. I enjoyed it greatly - so here are a few pics of that adventure. I later set off to discover Toronto and Ottawa.