Went to Görlitz

I went to Görlitz yesterday

I went with ten other 'oldies' who all work with Hermann at The Bauhaus Museum in Berlin. They all have to finish work at the end of this month - part of cost cutting measures as a response to the current financial crises. They have pensions so will survive financially, but I think they need such work to get them out of the house and meet new people to keep them young.

I had heard about the city of Görlitz but had never been there. It is worth the effort of getting there. It was divided in 1945 when the new German-Polish borders were drawn on the map and accepted by both victors and defeated. The latter didn't have much choice!

It is on the river Neisse which then formed the border so that the town on the west bank remained Görlitz and the part on the west bank became Zgorzelek - you can see this on one the photos. Architecturally the two towns look the same for the city was not bombed in the war and so retains a range of architectural styles lost in so many towns.

There are as lot of images so I shall just add them and let you enjoy seeing the face of an historically important town which has survived so many things.

On a personal note: I took the photo of the bakery for my dear sister Frances. She is a very devout Catholic, as is her husband, and I wanted to show her that Jesus is alive and well and living in Görlitz where he is running a bakery! She should visit him there!

I think you can tell that I am an athiest and have a couple of interesting links on the left side of each page for anyone interested!

Cactus und Jüterbog

My cactus flowered and I went to Jüterbog
Since I last wrote on this blog about galloping around Strausberg with Hans, my rather tired looking cactus suddenly burst into life and flowered. I have never seen it looking so happy! I think it is a comment on the weather here in Berlin. I decided to stay in today because the weather is changing and the wind has increased. For allergie people like me this is bad news. I have lost count of runny nose, tissues and red eyes today. It's bad at the moment. Only another three weeks and it should be over until the next round starts in January 2010.

My weeks have followed a pattern of taking Hans out, back and leg training at the Wellness Club, private students, teaching at the Institute, helping an ex-student to prepare for a job interview with an English company, my Spanish lessons, reading, my Photoshop course, going to a concert at the Kömische Oper - and helping Micha on his computer. I forgot to add shopping, washing ironing, cooking, cleaning the windows, and such exciting things, which we all have to do and take up time each week.

One of the nice things was going to Jüterbog with Hermann to visit Jürgen and Dieter. We haven't met since 2007 for my visit was cancelled last year when Jürgen was taken to hospital for a heart bye-pass operation. This was followed by a lond stay in a rehabilitation centre. He is now okay but still not his old loud and extrovert self. He is a hobby-cook and so after a splendid meal we ended up in their garden ( see pic) to relax, chat and have coffee and cakes.

It was a relaxing day and seeing Jürgen again reminded me of health and getting older problems. Last Thursday, Horst had an operation for a new hip joint and it will take the rest of this summer to get over it. Lynne is getting over a similar operation in England and we all know that Alan had two knee joints installed over the last two years.

Spring Monday in Strausberg

I took Hans to Strausberg



It is in my favourite area to the east of Berlin. I go there in each season and always enjoy it. Monday is my day with Hans so I took him to Strausberg. He said he had never been there but I doubt this for his sister lives nearby. But then, he had never been to Spandau until I took him recently - there is a report and photos on this blog.

The weather was superb again and it was nice to relax on the side of the lake watch the birds and listen to the children playing. He wanted to have a meal in an open air restaurant near to the lake, so we did and he enjoyed it. Later we walked through the old town until we reached the railway station where we had coffee and enjoyed the view until the train came. Here are a few photos of the day. I take them to send to his sister so she can see how he is and some of the places we get to.

Spring Sunday in Potsdam

I spent Spring Sunday in Potsdam

I had a great day. I went with some oldies, heard lots of languages being spoken by lots of other visitors and tourists, enjoyed the day in wonderful warm weather with a cloudless sky. Good company, good beer and food made the day even more memorable.

This post will be made up mainly of photos for I am thinking of family and friends who have never been to Berlin/Potsdam and may enjoy the scenery and architecture more. We followed the standard route from the station into the centre and along Hardenberg Straße with the Brandenburg Gate at the end. It is not as grand as the one in Berlin but it looks just right where it is. Behind it you enter the gardens to Sans Souci with its palaces and other buildings.

There is a photo of a grave stone with some potatoes on it next to Sans Souci Palace. It is the grave of Frederick the Great and his horse was buried next to him. No-one could tell me why but they said the potatoes commemorated a famine when Frederick opened his stocks of potatoes and gave them to the hungry locals. One is never sure of such stories but north Germans do like potatoes - good job they were found in south America in time to feed the hungry in places like Brandenburg.

We then walked to the rear and western side of the palace to get into the Orangerie where you can see some nice shots of the buildings with pillars and arches. At the end is the Pagoda, which every self respecting monarch at the time had to stick in their park. There is a Chinese Tea House in the park but not near the pagado. This was built on the same sunny south facing slope as the Orangerie. It is now a very good restaurant with lots of tables under the trees and on the terraces.

We had an excellent meal and some drank a beer flavoured with fruit juice, which was originally brewed in the Flemisch areas of what is now Belguim and brought to Potsdam by settlers encoured to move there by offers of land, housing and work as a means to re-populate the area after famine, war or both. It is not really to my taste but okay on a sunny relaxing day.

After feasting we wandered into the park near to the New Palace, built to celebrate the first break-up of Poland, which is probably why I never really feel at ease there even if you have to wonder at the architecture and construction style. I took a photo into the sun and like how it turned out.

There was later another stop for beer and other light refreshents before we entered the train back to Berlin in the growing shades of evening. I very memorable day for me including some of the new German phrases and jokes I heard!

Spring is here

Spring is clearly visible in Berlin

Yesterday I bought some plants for my balcony flower boxes, and noticed the growing display of colours appearing in gardens and balconies all over the city.

These photos are of my 'back' garden and of the green area in front of the flat.

I am going to my allergy doctor's in an hours time for a check up. This year the trees causing my allergies have bloomed later than last year and so that, and the injections I have had over the last two years, have helped me so far. I am planning trips to various places at the weekend which is Easter here, and will include Potsdam on Sunday. Hope you are also enjoying sunny, warm weather.

Things in April

What is happening in April?

To start the month I have a nice pic of cousin Barry, and his charming wife Pam, 'slumming it' on a cruise through the Caribbean. Very nice for some! They are the attractive couple at the very front of the photo. Hope you remembered how to pick up peas with your fork, Baz!!

Birthdays in April
Horst starts the month with his 75th on the 4 April - pity he has to go for an operation a week later, so get well soon Horst.

This is followed by Dennis celebrating his 54th in California with his wife and sons this year on Saturday 11 April. Three people follow him on Easter Monday 13th April and they are Neil at 52 celebrating in Essen, Ulli at 62 celebrating here in Berlin near the Mugglesee and Marga who will be 61 and having a party in Berlin-Charlottenberg.

Mathias, my business partner will celebrate his 45th on the 19 April with Sylvana and family. Peter will also be 45 but on the 22 April. No doubt he will celebrate with Andre and friends in Alt Landsberg. Our very own Dr. Birgit will be raising a glass for her 45th on the 24 April and Katrin ends the list with her 41st on the 28 April. Happy Birthday to each and all.