New Parliament

The new Federal Parliament building is behind the old one as you walk up a hill. It has a modern design with rooftop garden access offering a good view of the old parliament, lake and lookout point. There is always an armed policeman on duty there!

Each day in Canberra started with a big traditional breakfast at a cafe somewhere in the centre. From there we started our daily tourist routine. My priority was to see both parliament buildings which I did but it took all day and was rather tiring.

Again armed guards are at the main entrance but you enter via a room where you are checked as if you were going into an airport. I got an information sheet from friendly guides and set off to explore the building.

The whole complex is built around the functioning of The Senate (red furniture) and The House of Representatives (green furniture).


Senators represent the federal states and directly elected Members of Parliament sit in the other House. The Prime Ministers office is there as is the Cabinet Room. I didn't see the Prime Minister when I was there!

I did, however, get to see all the Prime Ministers via portraits hanging in The Great Hall. I had my photo taken with two. Gough Whitlam and Bob Hawke. I am shaking the hand of the former and looking as stern as the latter. Both were members of the Labor Party and led Labour governments. Ahh.....the good old days:-)

Canberra revisited

I know I told you I had returned from Canberra in an earlier post but now lets revisit to see something of what it has to offer. I heard comments from a number of people in Sydney dismissing the federal capital as provincial and just full of bureaucrats only concerned with pushing papers around. I don't know about the latter comment but I can't agree with the former.

Canberra is smaller with only about 380,000 population compared to about 4m in Sydney and 4.2m in Melbourne but I found its size, design, layout, parks and open plan very agreeable and immediately felt at ease there.

 After driving through the Blue Mountains and stopping at places of historical interest, we found our new 'home'.



It was a chalet/motel building in a motel complex north west of the city area. Here is a photo of the place with the car in front. It offered more space and facilities than appear from the photo. There were two bedrooms fitted to accommodate a couple with three kids, full kitchen facilities, large shower/toilet area and an L shaped dining/sitting room. Even a fridge to keep the G&T cool!

Next day we set off to explore the place. Colin knew it like his backyard so was able to explain what was where and why.

 We started at a high lookout point with a view into the wide central Mall Road, leading to a bridge over the lake in front of the Old Parliament building.  This is turn is in front of the New Parliament building with its interesting four pillars to support a flag said to be bigger than a double decker bus! Here is another of the same view but taken at night.

Barracks & Museum

Before my journey to Canberra I set off on a barracks and museum tour. The first was a barracks two streets away from where I stay in Sydney. The public is allowed entrance each Thursday at 10.00 am. There is strict security at the entrance but once through you are met by guides.

They are all gentlemen of 'advanced age', ex-military and proud to wear a beret, medals and green blazer to show their status. All are volunteers and members of an association formed in 1982. My guide was John Smith. When he told me this I asked him if it was true. With a wide smile he assured me it was true, then added that all the visitors ask him the same!

He was very relaxed and informal as he took me slowly around the barracks. We passed many soldiers for it is still an active barracks. He explained the history of the place and when and why it was built here. It was all about water. The original supply for convicts and soldiers became tainted so they had to look for another supply inland.

Shafts were dug and they found a supply. This was then linked to the waterfront settlement and the source became home to the new barracks. It is on raised ground so the soldiers could see any approaching ships and point cannon in that direction.

We arrived at the Officers' Mess at the end of the tour. It has two cannons at the entrance to greet you! I smiled and thought of how many such buildings I had been to in India and Pakistan many years ago and wondered if this one still offered stiff G&Ts as the other ones did :-))

After thanking Mr Smith, I took a bus and got out at Hyde Park. This is in the centre near to the waterfront and large green area called Botanical Gardens. There you will find a building called Hyde Park Barracks. It is now a museum about early convict life in Sydney.

The story is well set out with clear information, paintings, illustrations and even photographs. I was surprised to see the large rooms at the top of the building where the men slept in hammocks.

There seemed to be little space between them and I wondered what would have happened if two very fat convicts had tried to sleep next to each other!

Blue Mountains

Yesterday evening I returned home from a tour in the Blue Mountains which took in Canberra. That is the Federal Capital of Australia. Many thanks to Colin who was my driver, guide and source of much information about the area and its history. I would have wandered around without him and not known much about what I was looking at.

I am much wiser now and can contrast and compare Canberra to Sydney. The former was designed as a capital city as were other cities in the world. Some find it provincial but I did not. I really liked the layout, lots of green spaces/gardens, wide avenues and federal government buildings.

My priority was to see the old and new Parliament buildings. I spent a full day wandering around and looking at all the rooms and reading all the information guides. The staff/guides were friendly and very helpful. On Sunday we went to the National Museum and again I spent hours there.

I liked the modern building near the lake in the centre of the city and how the history of Australia was presented. I was particularly interested in the section about Aboriginal life and one about taking Aboriginal children away from their parents to put them into homes - usually run by churches! The new Parliament building has a document asking for forgiveness for this policy.

On the return drive to Sydney we travelled on the coast road and I took this photo. The other is of me at the Three Sisters which heralds the entrance into the Blue Mountains. A must see for anyone!

Not Worried Now

UPDATE: Now I am not worried about Heike:-))  I have just returned from Canberra and picked up a message from Heike.

She said she was okay in the comment box of this blog. Jan also told me the ship would go around the cyclone for he had experienced the same thing in a ship. Colin told me the same about avoiding a cyclone experience and that I should not worry.

All of you were right so I decided to offer a thank you care of Aldi, which I was pleased to discover had discovered Australia before me!! Which one would you like?

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ORIGINAL:  I am worried about Heike. She is heading north on her cruise ship and they are sailing into one of two major cyclones. I am listening to BBC World Service at the moment and just heard a report about 200 klm winds and 5 metre high waves plus storm warnings!

I'm going into the Blue Mountains tomorrow and then to Canberra. I don't know if I shall have access to the internet. If so I shall continue to update. If not then I shall update as soon as I return.

Home from Home

Some of you asked me where I am staying. Thanks for that. As you certainly know I am staying with Ian and Birgit at their house in Paddington. This is a district/suburb to the east of the centre. I am told it is a 'desirable' part of town. The area is linked to the centre via Oxford Street which takes you all the way to Bondi Beach to the east.

It is made up of 'two-up-two-down' terrace houses 'a la Brit style' of the late 19th century to which were added patios, garden extensions and balconies.

Here is a photo of the house from the garden. The other is from the living room into the guest bathroom on the left,  laundry room on the right, kitchen in the middle leading into the dining room and beyond it is the garden. Hope you can see all okay. The house has an upper floor with the main bedroom and bathroom. Above that is the guest bedroom with a small balcony. That is my room! There is also a study not in the photo but on the left when you enter the house.

Paddington has lots of little shops, cafes, restaurants and many book shops for it has a campus of NSW university. It is very hilly, has an army barracks two minutes away and a large public garden all of five minutes away by bus.

Oxford Street is the link to all other parts of town and provides the main form of public transport, which is the single decker bus. There are no trams, but there are lots of taxis and a comprehensive local train service, but not like the Underground in London or U-Bahn in Berlin. It is more like the Regional and S-Bahn in Berlin.

Tomorrow morning I am going on a tour of the barracks which are two streets from where I live. I then plan to go to the centre and see some old buildings including Sydney/NSW Parliament which is near to the Botanical Gardens and Hyde Park. Yes, there is another one here!

For Jan

This blog post is for Jan. I know everyone can read it but I have Jan's face and a glass of beer in front of my eyes as I write the words. Two streets away from where I live is a street with a 'German' Bakery. Ian and Birgit go there for they also sell a lot of organic kinds of bread/food.

Just across the road is a pub called "The Local". Not very original but it clearly tells the 'natives' what its business is. On the side of the pub is a quote and when I saw it a few days ago with Daniel, he said to me, "Perfect for Jan". That gave me the idea to share it and so present another aspect of life and culture in Sydney.

If you cannot clearly read the text here it is. " There is more to life than beer alone, but beer makes those other things even better." - Stephen Morris. I am told he is a footballer in the AFL and
son of a famous player and trainer. He clearly also has a way with words!  Now you can pour a beer Jan and enjoy it!

Three Beaches

I started the day with a light breakfast of savoury muffin with green herbal tea at the cafe in the local bookshop. I really like the place. It is the atmosphere. Bookish, friendly, casual and relaxing. After that I caught a bus to Bondi Beach - yes again, but the sun was shining as well as 29°C.

I walked to the south part of the beach and picked up a track. It is now a famous tourist attraction for it takes us to two other beaches. Here is a photo of Bondi with lots of people basking in the sunlight and/or enjoying the surf.

As I walked along the track I was surprised to see the change of view as I turned the headland. Here is a shot. You can see it is much greener. I walked onto Tamarama Beach. Much smaller than Bondi and with less people. I had a coffee break and watched how people relaxed and enjoyed themselves.

Then back on my feet and off again until I reached Bronte Beach. I liked the name and didn't need to ask anyone where it came from :-)  Again a break to soak in the atmosphere and reflect on how different life is in this part of Australia. Patrick really should have fought harder to make sure we moved there in 1951-2, but that is another story!

I walked back to Bondi for I had enjoyed it so much and it only takes about an hour. I then did some shopping and had early dinner in an Italian restaurant recommended to me. I drank a whole bottle of iced water. The food was delicious and after a day of walking I was ready for it. I hope you also had a happy day!

Heike's day

Heike is on a cruise ship called Albatross. She flew from Berlin to New Zealand to pick up the ship. It is mainly occupied by elderly German ladies and gentlemen. The four week cruise will take them along the Australian coast in a northerly direction with about six stops.

The cruise will take them into Indonesia, South Korea and end in Shanghai in China. It was Heike's second cruise taking in Sydney. The first was seven years ago so she knew something of the layout and the main tourist attractions.

I told Colin about her visit so we arranged to meet her. We had to send passport details etc so she could inform the security people. We got there at the agreed time this morning and had to wait. The security services between the ship and the state had not got their act together. After I told a security officer it was bad management and organisation we were soon allowed on board!

I have never been on a cruise ship before. Sister P and husband L now go on such cruises at least once a year, as does cousin B and wife P, but I have never been on one or put it on my 'Must Do' list. Even so I can understand why people regularly go on such cruises. It is a way of seeing the world but with security and a sense of familiarity around them in terms of language and services offered.

We had coffee and a chat. Then I found a piano in a lounge so I entertained the guests who had remained on board. Perhaps I should get a job playing the piano on a ship and sailing the world until I can play no more! I'll think about that one. 

We disembarked (what a nice word!), jumped onto a relay bus and ended in the centre at George Street.  Heike wanted to buy a hat to protect her from the sun so we set off and found one. Next she bought postcards/stamps she needed then changed money in a bank and all while we wandered towards the old part of town.

Colin knows the history of this place like an expert and it was interesting listening to his tales of people and places in days goneth-byeth! I learnt a lot. We ended up in Sydney's Oldest Pub. They have a restaurant upstairs so we had a meal there. Believe it or not but we were served by a young waitress who had moved to Sydney from Dundee in Scotland! I can understand why :-)

A nice relaxing lunch with another variety of beer recommended by Colin and then another walk around the original settlement/convict/prison area. It was humid and I noticed Heike was starting to feel the heat and strain of walking so we agreed to return to her relay bus. Tomorrow she has a full session in a guided tour including visiting the inside of the opera house.

Have a great time Heike and thanks to you and Colin for such a memorable day. Here are a few photos to remind you/us of a special day.

Daniel's den

The big thing yesterday was meeting Daniel. He flew in from Melbourne and called me from the airport. We agreed to meet and he later drove over and picked me up. He had the chance to see the house and garden where I am staying. He looked very well and healthy, in fact a good advert for life in Sydney based on jogging, surfing and keep fit. He does all of them!

He lives in Coogee, which I always pronounced incorrectly. It is south-east of where I live and has its own beach. Very nice but he surfs at Maroubra, where I went for Sunday breakfast, because it has larger and stronger waves for surfing. Now you know where to surf when you are next in Sydney.

He had booked a table at one of his favourite restaurants. Nice service and food. I had fish and a glass of local white wine. Tasty! He posed with this beer for Jan to enjoy. It tasted nice Jan so try it when you are here :-)

We caught up on news then went for a walk along the side of a cliff. I took a taxi home and reflected on the evening. We are going to meet in my final week and then go for a longer walk along the cliffs. Can't wait!

Maroubra Beach

I woke at 9.00am this morning and dozed. At about 10.00 am I heard Birgit's voice, "Get moving John, we are going for breakfast." I jumped into my trousers, said something about shaving and was told I didn't need too and I didn't need to wash!!

I galloped behind them and got into the car. About twenty minutes later we arrived at Maroubra Beach. We finally found a parking place but sill had over 5 minutes to walk to our destination. This was a restaurant on the beach. The order of the day was Sunday Breakfast.

I looked at the menu. Lots of light dishes to take you into the day but I settled on 'The Ultimate'. This was the traditional cooked breakfast. Bacon and Eggs with everything in it!!  A real killer and not one to show to your doctor :-)) It actually tasted rather bland even with the coffee I ordered instead of black tea!

Ian decided to take a photo for historical reasons = to show that I had actually eaten 'The Ultimate'. I obliged as I 'stuffed my gob'. Try to translate that!! I survived it all and emerged from the restaurant to walk slowly back to the car.

At home, I wrote the first of my cards while sitting in the garden with the sun on my back. A pleasant experience as I switched between languages and hoped all family and friends would understand. Daniel arrived later and I set off on another adventure.

Manly Beach

I went to Manly this afternoon. Yes, you are asking where it is. Take bus 333 or 380 until it stops at Circular Quay. Cross the road and enter the ferry terminals. Go to No. 3 on your right. You will see a big ferry and it leaves every 30 minutes for Manly. The ride takes 40 minutes.

Manly is a suburb with a popular surfing beach at the north end of Sydney harbour. The ferry and town were packed today mainly because it was Valentine's Day and a Saturday. Lots of teenagers, couples, families with babies and even those with Grandpa and Grandma! All enjoying different attractions available on the beach.

There were, of course, many mainly young men showing off their skills on surfboards and making sure young women were looking at them :-) Babies crawled on/in the sand, seagulls ran around looking for anything to eat and lovers dozed or stroked each other gently. I picked my way through them as I moved up the beach.

On my return, Ian and Birgit were relaxing. Ian was looking at the skies to see if the weather would let him 'Barbie'. It later rained then cleared up so we are now set for my first Australian 'Barbie'. After that experience I can really say that I have not only arrived in Australia but have sampled an important part of its popular culture!

Bondi Beach

I felt very disorganised and 'groggy' this morning. I didn't know why. Ian said it was just a matter of adjustment and that could take 5 days or even more! After a light breakfast I dozed off then showered, changed and set off for a day of exploration.

I went to the customs building, then to the ferry area before the large park. I wanted to take photos of the greenery and variety of trees, bushes and flowers. Unfortunately the weather did not play along with my plans. It was overcast. I took my new(ish) extra lens with me but couldn't use it because of the cloudy weather.

I decided to change plans and jumped onto a 333 Bus. The end station was Bondi Junction. I had no idea where that was so settled down to enjoy the journey. We finally arrived at the last station and I climbed out. I found myself at the northern end of the famous Bondi Beach. There were lots of people on the beach. Some just sunbathing although there was no sun! Some just slept on the beach and some families just played with their babies.

Others were active in swimming out into the water and being carried back to the beach by the waves. Many of them tried to get onto boards. I enjoyed watching how many ways different people reacted to and responded to the surf waves that continually pounded the beach. I was surprised at how small this world famous beach was, but then surprised at the continual pounding of those 'surfing' waves.

I had a tasty late lunch of Bondi Beach ' Fish'n Chips'. They were tasty Geoff, but not a match on Silsden Fish 'n Chips!! Now take Fran and Warren out for a tasty lunch of ......! It is interesting that I have not found any other country/culture which can make Fish'n Chips better than the Silsdeners!!

Colin's Castle

Today I took the train south-east and arrived at a station to meet Colin.  Silsdeners will know I have posted about him before and that he was in Berlin during January. He is Johanna's half cousin and asked me to contact him when I was in Sydney.  I duly did this and we agreed to meet today.

He met me at the local station and we set off to explore his part of Sydney. Later we had a tasty light lunch before going to his house. It is something to be envious about and not only the building and garden. It was built on the top of a cliff and he has a stairway taking you down until you reach the water and his boat. Very nice :-)

I needed to buy some stronger shoes for walking so we went to a local 'shopping mall'. The same style as any other 'shopping mall' anywhere in the world. We fortunately found a shoe shop and with help from a friendly lady I bought some appropriate shoes.

More driving around the area and looking at bays, water, rivers, housing developments, schools, libraries and all the things that make up a local district where people live and bring up a family. I liked it and decided I would live here if I had to leave Berlin for any reason!

Can't Sleep

I can't sleep! My room is at the attic level with a balcony onto the back garden. Unfortunately it is not fitted with a cooling system for such temperatures as 30+°C. The solution was to put a mattress into the downstairs study room, which also has space to function as a bedroom. There it is cooler.

Fine on paper but it didn't work in practice. Ian installed the mattress but I could not sleep comfortably on it in addition to all my other jet-lag and other travel problems which kept me awake. Ian found the solution this afternoon by bringing the bed from the attic into the study room. I shall test it in a short time.

In addition I went on a walk this afternoon and discovered a chemists/pharmacy. I told a nice lady my problem and she said I was not the first to ask for help. She talked to the chemist and they agreed on some tablets.  Nice service. I hope they work.

Birgit came back from a business trip to Melbourne this evening and when she heard about my sleeping problem she told me not to worry for I needed five days to adjust when I stayed with them in Beijing. I only remember three days but perhaps her memory is better than mine.

I finished the book in German this afternoon. I read it as a kind of sleeping pill but it didn't work. The story was too exciting and kept me awake! I think I can feel the tablet working. Time for bed. Have a good sleep wherever you are!

Sydney

I arrived safely in Sydney this morning at 6.30 local time. You Silsdeners were still asleep then. I was very tired for I couldn't sleep on the plane and my body clock was out of rythmn. I sat next to a very nice business man and we got into conversation.

He  was born in Chandigarh to the north of Delhi and works for a German based technology company.  He was returning to his family in Sydney after a long business trip. I enjoyed talking to him about my time in India and listening to his stories about change. We agreed to meet again for a beer and another chat about that wonderful country.

Ian was waiting for me at the airport and was I glad to see him. We had a coffee as we waited for Birgit who was returning from a two week business trip which had taken in London. Once together we set off for their home. Later Ian took me on a tour of 'downtown' Sydney including a ferry trip to an area in the bay called Watson.

There we had another coffee and snack and explored the area. On photo shows the stormy cliffs facing the sea that eventually takes you to New Zealand. Others are of me posing with the famous bridge in the background and one of me before the equally famous Opera House. The weather was overcast and with showers but it was still warm and humid.

Tomorrow we have a day of sightseeing planned and I shall call others who I want to meet on this trip. I now have a mobile phone. Ian lent me his 'old' one but it looks new! I am looking forward to a long night of sleep before more adventures tomorrow

Singapore

I had a very healthy breakfast this morning with lots of fruit and black tea. I have no idea why I overdosed on the hotel's black tea but it tasted soooooo good! Later I dozed for I am still in travel time change. I then set off to explore a bit of Singapore.

On advice from the hotel desk I set off for Marina Bay and Bayfront. I discovered the Singapore Metro system and the nice, friendly staff who advised me. In two cases they even went with me to make sure I got on the right Metro train. You would never get that service in Berlin!

I arrived at the south side of the island and just went 'Wow' when I emerged from the underground world of the Metro. I took 14 photographs and share 4 of them now. After galloping around the area I had a break in a cafe and enjoyed my first beer.

This sentence is for Jan: It is called Tiger Beer and I was told it is made locally and based on the German/Czech recipe for beer. I'm not sure of that but it tasted like a good German beer. Perhaps I shall have a problem in Ozland for  I don't like Foster's Beer. I hope there are many tasty alternatives.

I shall explore more parts of the centre and waterfronts tomorrow. My flight to Sydney is at 9.00pm and I arrive for breakfast next day. This will be my last report until I have settled into life in Sydney.

Final comment is a very positive one about Singapore and its population. I have only had friendly help from them. Nice to be able to share this experience with you.

Arrived Singapore

I made it to Singapore. What a change from Berlin. I left a city partly covered in snow and 0°C. I arrived in another city with 29°C and very humid plus with rather exotic plants and trees. The hi-rise central area where I am staying reminded me of Beijing. People very relaxed and friendly. The official languages are English and Mandarin Chinese.

Mathias drove me to Tegel airport in the north of Berlin. Was I grateful for the lift and conversation before the queuing, paperwork, checks, controls and all the increasing tiresome or even unpleasant things that constitute air travel these day.

The flight to Frankfort-am-Main went okay even if late and a local helped me to find my connecting flight. I got a seat on the aisle, because of leg/heart problems for the doc said I had move around a bit. I sat with three very charming young families of 'Asian'  background. The kids were small and just starting to make sounds like words but very playful and noisy when it came to time for bed!

We also landed an hour late and then started another adventure of how to move around another giant airport. With smiling help from local officials I did it all and even found a chatty elderly taxi driver who was delighted when I greeted him in Mandarin. He never stopped talking and giving me tips about what to do and see on the way to the hotel.

I am staying at The York Hotel and I can recommend it to any of you who wander in this direction. Tomorrow I am going to explore the place and continue on Sunday before wending my way to the airport for the flight to Sydney. Here is a photo of my room and I shall be sinking into that big bed in a few minutes after hearing the news!

Not in Berlin

Today is the 5th February 2015. I am packing my bag for a flight this evening to Singapore. After a short stay I shall fly to Sydney to stay with Ian and Birgit. 

I shall return via Bangkok arriving Berlin on Thursday 12th March 2015. An absence of five weeks. 

I hope to post photos/reports and so share this BIG adventure with you. 

I am adipös

Hello Silsdeners: I had visitors yesterday afternoon. Andrea arrived with Marco and a large selection of cakes. My job was to make the coffee - which I did!  It was my first meeting with Marco. He clearly felt at home and relaxed as we got the Kaffee und Kuchen ready.

I discovered he had a very good sense of humour and we soon started exchanging jokes. It was easy to relax with him and I wondered if he would enjoy my special brew. I offered him a glass of Daniel's Opa's Palinka poison!  He really liked it so we had another and he relaxed even more.

We had a few more as the evening advanced and got to know each other better. Andrea looked at us and smiled. She was driving so could not sip a glass or three. Even so, she clearly enjoyed our first meeting. We talked about their summer holiday in Hungary and their wedding plans at the end of next August.

She read my hospital report and started laughing. I asked why and she said the report said I was a little "adipös". She then told me it meant obese in English! We made more jokes about this before they left. A really pleasant visit and I think they are ideal for each other.

I worked on these photos this afternoon in my MacBook. It is now seven years old. I checked it out and found it could still do all the things I need, so I am taking it with me to Australia. I plan to use it to update this blog. Let's see, meanwhile I went to my travel agents and got the last of my documents. Now to pack my bag ready for Thursday!

February 2015 Things

As we enter February I cast a glance back to January for it was an interesting month for me. It started with heavy snow and cold as I went to a concert with Angelika. Colin dropped into Berlin from Sydney via Los Angeles and we were all pleased to see him. My routine of Kerstin's Oldie Keep-Fit Gang, Photoshop Gang, Camera Club, SPD meetings and Oldie Breakfast Gang kicked off as the month advanced.

I met my Muggelsee Gang for our winter meal, went with Colin to Frankfurt-Oder on the Polish border and visited Königs-Wusterhaüsen after which I began to notice pains in my heart. This led to my stay in hospital for checks/tests at the end of which I was allowed home. I missed Adrian and Tanja's 25th Wedding Anniversary in London because of the hospital stay, which I still regret.

I am now in the early stages of packing my bag for the flight to Singapore  on Thursday 5 Feb. arriving in Sydney next Monday. Ian will pick me up there and I told him without an ambulance!! I return to Berlin on Thursday 12 March. A five week adventure in total. Should any of you wish to contact me during this time please do so using my hotmail.de account. Thanks!

Let me share this image. It was sent by Peter and Hannelore who you know I visit at their house north of Nice in the south of France. They were on a recent tour near Var in the Cote d' Azur. They said the Mimosa bushes were starting to bloom there. This is what they look like in all their glory :-)

Who has a birthday in February?
Sven R. in Berlin is celebrating his 39th with his family as I write these words. On Tuesday 3rd, my oldest and best friend Alan will be celebrating his 72nd in Casland with his wonderful Lynne and family. I shall certainly make a call and raise a glass then! Jens in Berlin has his 45th on the 5th, Dr. Pardon will enjoy her 67th with her family in Marzahn on the 18th, followed by Eleonora on the 22nd. I am sure Jan and Andrea will also be there to toast her 56th birthday. Adrian hits 55 on the 25th and will celebrate with Tanja in London. Peter B. ends the month by celebrating his 35th on 28th February in Melbourne.    Prost to all of you!!  Happy Birthday!

More M.M.

Yesterday afternoon I set off on a journey of three S/U Bahn trains to arrive at Herr Marcel M.'s abode at the other end of Berlin. The evening before, Johanna visited and we talked late into the night, while sipping something nice! I told her Marcel had left a present for me on my return home from the hospital.

She laughed, as I did, when she saw it. It was a DVD of photos taken at Balaton in the summer of 2014. On the front he had written in red pen: "Get out from the hospital, old man! It is not the time yet, Australia is waiting for you!" What a simple, honest statement. Thanks to all who have contacted me and expressed concern about my health.

On arrival at his flat, I stared in disbelief at his feet. I couldn't believe my eyes. He just laughed and said they were a Christmas present from his parents. I like their taste and sense of humour.  I had to have a photo - what do you think? He said they were very warm and I should buy some for myself. Mmmmmm still thinking about that!

We had arranged to go to a local restaurant but he announced he wanted to cook and had already bought the ingredients. I didn't argue as I opened a nice bottle of red. I turned around to see him putting on an apron. Then I saw the words. Again, eyes staring to express my surprise. He just asked what I was staring at and said he liked the apron.

I settled down to watch him cook sliced chicken breast with lots of red peppers, onions, spices , mixed vegetables and rice. Delicious! I told him he should become a professional. We talked about his studies and recent visit to England to see his sister.  We agreed to meet after my travels and he asked me to bring him a baby kangaroo back. I said I would do what I could :-))