More me

Just got an e-mail from Shirley with two photos she had taken of me sleeping by the pool. Oh - happy memories! This made me think about other photos I had prepared and not posted. I found some and decided to do a pure ego post about me, me and ............me!

I think they speak for themself. I note how I have changed since my return from Florida, and from England two weeks ago. I am losing my tan, looking tired noticing more lines on my face.





Since my return, my old skin/allergy problems have returned. I have a note from my doctor allowing me to see a dermatologist. The problem is that he is on holiday and I think returns next week. I am not sure he can help. Another doctor I saw a few years ago gave me cream/medicine and it did not get better. I stopped going!

I am also losing confidence in my allergy doctor. I have been having treatment each winter and spring for eight years. Nothing has happened except that the doctor has bought another car from the income gained from me, and other patients! I think I shall drop this doctor as well.


Any better news? Yes, the weather forecast says sun and blue skies for this weekend. On Sunday, Marga is coming over for a cooking session a la something from asia. She lived in Hong Kong for many years and likes to cook dishes she discovered there.

On Sunday, Marcel and I are going to Werneuchen with Silka. She has a weekend house+caravan there. We plan to go on a bicycle ride with cameras so I can learn more about settings for different images. Should be fun!

I am teaching a new group at the institute from Monday. Later I am meeting Adrian, Tanja and Charlotte, who are visiting from London. We plan an evening of food, drink and chatting. Haven't seen them for nearly two years. Looking forward to the meeting.

Next Tuesday I have a very special meeting in a government office. More of that in later posts. The rest of the week falls into regular patterns. Two of Marcel's friends are visiting next weekend. I have talked to them over skype, and I am looking forward to seeing them in person.  Have a nice week!

Caravaning

I recently got some nice photos of a caravan holiday.  They were sent by Bernhard. I have helped him with texts and speeches in English. He decided to send these photos to share with you. Thanks Bernhard, very kind of you!

He is a very active person particularly in international Pentathlon. He is also a master at training horses and does that in a voluntary capacity in Berlin to help young people to learn how to ride. His daughters are very good at horse riding, but that should not come as a surprise.






He and his family flew to Ireland to visit Dublin then pick up a horse and caravan for a tour of the south of Ireland. He took these photos with his trusty 'Handy' camera. Although not the best quality, we get a very good impression of life on the road behind a horse!

 I think they will be returning to Berlin soon, so I hope they have all had a great time in spite of the rainy conditions. Looking forward to hearing about your adventures in person, Bernhard.

Gärten der Welt

Last Sunday afternoon it stopped raining. The whole city was surprised when the sun began to shine. Marcel and I took the S-Bahn to visit Heike and family. They live in the north-east district of the city where you can find the Gärten der Welt.

 It started in the 1980s when the Chinese Government donated a Chinese Garden to that district. More gardens were added, such as the Japanese Garden which is my favourite. Last weekend there was a special Scottish theme including throwing the caber, food, music and whiskey - of course:-)

Heike, her son Christian, nephew Jerome, Marcel and I decided to visit the garden. Many others did as a response to the sun, but there were many rolled umbrellas to see just in case! We wandered all over the garden area for it was Marcel's first visit, but we also spent time in the area reserved for the Highland Games.

I took a number of photos including these. You can see Heike and 'The Boys' sitting together, one of them acting like the 'Three Wise Monkeys', Marcel with one of the caber throwers and one of him with the family dog called Cosmo. A big, but very playful, and good tempered dog.

In the evening, our hosts gave a 'Grill Party' under the watchful grilling eye of brother Jan. In addition, delicious potato and tomato salads came from the skilfull hands of Heike and her Mutter. Over full stomachs we sat and talked as the sun went down. A very pleasant day and one in which Marcel had the chance to only speak German.

Farewell

After many pleasant meetings, my trip to the north of England came to an end. Writing about it on this blog has brought back many happy memories.

Some about the terrible summer weather, which has got worse and is evening hitting Germany, some are about the strange attempts at identity and nationalism.

'Die Queen', as the Germans call her, celebrated being on a throne for 60 years. Lots of people waving union jacks as she visited some decaying street or washed-out event.  I did not hear any public or parliamentary debate about monarchy -vs- democracy, about the right of the people to elect leaders at any and all levels. Just lots of wet, grinning faces waving union jacks.

In addition to this farce, my visit coincided with the unveiling of a memorial to the 'Boys from Bomber Command'. All very controversial as you may note from the gap between 1945, when the war ended, and summer of 2012, when the memorial was unveiled. I heard lots of public comment about the "55,000 brave lads who gave their lives to defend out shores." I didn't hear any mention of the nearly 600,000 innocent civilians, mainly women and children, who were killed by the brave lads' bombs. Interesting to note how statistics are played around with - and unquestionably accepted.

When I arrived in Leeds station I stared in disbelief at a train. Actually at what was painted on the side. Here are two photos so you can see for yourself. I began to wonder if I was living in 2012, or was in a time warp back to 1944-45. No wonder the English are known to be the most anti-European members of the EU.   It really was time for me to leave!


FBiL Geoff drove me to Liverpool Airport, nearly via Manchester but we reached target okay, didn't we Geoff? :-))  Warren came along for the ride and it was nice to spend my last hours with him. Frances took a photo of we three heroes just before we left for the airport. Not a bad photo Frances, you can do it!

The Boltons

After arriving from Castleford/Leeds, I relaxed a bit and drank a nice 'cuppa' tea with Fran and Geoff. I called part of 'The Boltons'. Ian and Dianne are my second oldest friends - after Alan and Lynne.

They had three boys and I always threatened to 'steal' No. 2 and adopt him. His name is Nicholas and later he married Julie. They begat Laura and Matthew. Visiting Silsden has to include a visit to this warm and friendly family.

I just arranged it per telephone and it was no problem. I stuck a bottle into my bag and Geoff drove me to their home. Warm welcomes as if I had only seen them last week. They have this ability to make you feel part of the family as soon as you enter the house, and  include you into what the family is doing at the time you walk through the door. I like that.

We charged our glasses and then started on catching up with each others news. Thirsty work all that talking so we had another glass! Laura was 16 a few days after my visit and Matthew is now 14 and into puberty! He has grown much taller and become rather thin. His voice has dropped and I detected the first signs of a mustache. Oh well, it happens to half the population!


A really wonderful evening. Unfortunately Dianne had other appointments and so could not join us. Next time I hope. Here are a couple of pics of the family. Laura had just washed her hair so emerged in her 'turban like state'. As natural as always.

Dining Out

After spending the morning with Daniel, we met his parents and set off for Wetherby, which is to the south of Castleford. I enjoyed the drive and seeing different scenery. Wetherby is the home of a famous Fish 'n Chip restaurant called 'The Wetherby Whaler'.

I wanted to thank Alan and Lynne for a wonderful time and so invited them there for the last Fish 'n Chips of my visit. The fish was Haddock and really fresh.  The batter was light and crispy - just as I like it!

I come from a generation which ate Fish 'n Chips before 'Mushy Peas' was added to the plate.  I ate my food in the tradition style but Daniel likes his with 'Mushy Peas', as you can see!

Later, they drove me to Castleford railway station. Sad farewells as I boarded the old 'Made in Crew' bone-shaker to Leeds, where I changed to a comfortable 'Made in Germany' train to take me to Silsden.
I arrived on time and then planned my last visit for that evening. More about that in my next post.

Daniel

One reason for visiting England when I did was to see Daniel. As you may remember, he is one of Alan and Lynne's sons. He moved to Sydney about twelve years ago and blazed the trail for his two younger brothers to move to Oz and NZ. He likes to visit his parents and see old friends in 'Casvegas', as they call Castleford! I can understand why.

Via the internet and telephone I arranged to visit when he was there and so spend two days at ' Villa Bateson'. I took the train there via Leeds. Alan and Lynne met me at the railway station. They hadn't changed since seeing them last August.

Walking into the house is always like coming home. What memories it has and for so many years. Daniel arrived after me and we had a warm welcome after about six years of only e-mail contact. He looked really well and fit - perhaps because his hobby is surfing. It helps that he lives near Sydney north beach :-)

Cup of tea and lots of catching up on news before we 'dressed-up', got into the car and headed east to Alan and Lynne's favourite restaurant. It was an abbey in the Middle Ages, then became a Manor House before being converted into a hotel and restaurant. Wonderful old building in fine gardens and with oak furniture, open coal fireplaces and leather seats. Here is a photo of us in front of the entrance.

When you enter, you are led to a leather and wood panelled waiting room. There you may have a drink as you peruse the menu and decide what to eat.  Your waiter later returns to take the orders. When they are cooked,  he/she returns and leads you to your table in the dining room. Only the finest silver and china on the table!  After dining you may return to that room, or to the bar, for coffee and a brandy. Very nice indeed, and thanks to Alan and Lynne for their generous hospitality.

Next day I spent some time with Daniel and took some photos of him including one in front of the house. You may note 'my bedroom' in the top right of the photo. The bed in that room is at the head of this blog, with the sign that I had gone to Berlin. It all happened there! There is one shot of him with a new sign = Gone to Berlin AGAIN!  and of him posing in front of mother's car. Very nice to spend that time together.

Ilkley

Going to Ilkley is a welcome ritual for me. My mother's family came from this town, and region, and can trace their ancestry back to the 1200's. German and Danish family names dominate the family tree, such as Stein (German) and Thorpe (Danish). They were farmers of a large valley north of Ilkley and ended up owning all the land! They lost most of it in the 1950s as the West End Reservoir was created, but that is another story!

My mother, grandmother, aunts etc always went to Betty's Tea Rooms on The Grove when they later shopped in the town. It was the place to go to - and to be seen!

Afternoon tea served in the traditional way with silver and china tea service. Of course, they dressed up for the event. I am proud to say that Barbara, Frances and myself have sought to maintain this tradition on each of my visits.

And so we arrived on a Tuesday afternoon to sample the delights of The Grove and Betty's Tea Shop. It was a very pleasant time and one of the high-spots of my visit. A very tasty Yorkshire Cream Tea was consumed with delight and best manners, not to mention polite conversation!

After we bought flowers and went to the family grave. We left the flowers at the grave, as each thought of their family members there, then had a nice long conversation about many things - but they remain secret :-)  Here are a few photos to show a very special afternoon.

Nab End

The day after meeting Yosser and Jan, Barry and Pam drove me to Silsden. It is my Heimatstadt - birthplace. If you know anything about me you will know that I effectively escaped from it when I was sixteen. As I have aged, and particularly since I got to know my father again in the few years before he died, I have returned on a regular basis.

I always stay with sister Fran and MFBiL Geoff! My cousin Barbara lives only a stones throw away. Nephew Warren lives two stones throw away. I first created this blog to share events in my life with Frances. She goes to Barbara's house to read this blog. That is why I created this format of photos and narrative to describe events. 

It seems to be successful for I have more hits from readers outside the UK. Most hits per month come from people in Russia. I wonder if I should change the language! The little town of Silsden, now with a population of about 6,000, lies in a valley formed by the River Aire. It is dominated by a hill, officially listed as a mountain because it is just over 1,000 feet high, called Nab End.

Warren drove me as far as possible then we had to climb the rest of the way. It was the first time in ages since I had climbed to the top. I took a couple of photos to share with you. Can you imagine growing up in this bleak valley and only able to see the rest of the world as far as the hills across the valley? Think about it. No wonder I have wandered - as some in my family say! I still want to see more of the world.

Later that day I went to Keighley (terrible place) then to my bookshop in Skipton (bearable) where I bought books and ate freshly made pork pies :-) I ended the day in another little town in the next valley. I called on Adele with a bottle of nice red. She was surpised and happy to see me - and the red as well. She was in a relationship with another nephew. We decided to keep in touch even though that relationship is now history. Thanks for a very nice evenening Adele - and being generous enough to invite my nephew to join us.

Yosser

My first full day with Barry and Pam was taken up with the bus tour. This was followed by shopping and I found a nice baseball style jacket for Marcel as one of his birthday gifts. On returning home we prepared to meet our guests = the one and only Yosser and his better half Janice we all call, Jan!

They arrived on time and after very heart felt greetings we quickly established that it was all of 25 years since we had last met. Even so, I would have known them immediately if I had seen them on the street. The basic looks never change. It was a very happy and friendly evening. Lots of catching up with events. Methinks I shall meet them on my next visit to The Wirral.


Earlier that morning I had asked Barry and Pam about their large and very modern TV. I quickly established that it can do everything except speak Cantonese Chinese. It can even go on the internet. As my jaw dropped at this news, Barry showed me by going to this blog. I just had to have a photo of me standing in front of the screen with my blog for all to see.


I later celebrated my return from the tour by sitting in the garden and munching  on a pork pie. My first in nine months! I decided a glass of full bodied red from Spain was the appropriate tiple. Mmmmh.....I was right!

UK Arrival

 It has taken more time than I thought to prepare the photos of my recent UK visit. I returned to daily routines and the additional task of making sure Marcel was happy, doing his homework, fed and taking him out on local trips. Less time for blogging but here goes to update you on what is becoming 'old' news!

I flew into Liverpool Airport on an easyJet flight which was uneventful if not boring. I hate this time wasting ritual of arriving early for security and what I find to be meaningless and often humiliating checks at airports. I heard a number of older passengers complaining so I was pleased to note that I was not in a minority of one!

Once again I wondered why the flight attendants have to speak so loud, and quickly into the loudspeaker system, and worst of all in a thick 'scouse' accent. Most people understand little if nothing. From the comments I heard the Germans certainly didn't. As a native speaker I got about 25%. Perhaps I should contact the company about this! Maybe they would pay me to train them :-)

Barry and Pam met me at the airport. As always I was very pleased to see their smiling faces when I entered the Arrival Terminal. They whisked me away towards Chester to a new for them Fish 'n Chip restaurant. I had expressed the wish to dine at such an establishment, and they complied with my wish. Thanks both!

Later we arrived at their very comfortable home and met their dogs. One I knew from my last visit. The new one was Lucy. Once the barking and sniffing of a new being in their home was over, they quickly came to me for a cuddle, stroking and soothing words.

After catching up with news, I hit the sack and next day went on a tour of the centre with them. It was on a Tourist Bus. We all enjoyed the experience and so I shall share it with you now. These are random shots of the centre of Liverpool presented in no systematic order.

July things

Back in Berlin after a very memorable week in England. I am still working on photographs so shall post reports to this blog in the next few days.

I returned to hot, sunny, weather and a 'Grillen Party' at my Fitnes Centre. More of this later. Marcel came round yesterday and I also spoke to his parents over Skype. Looking at my diary for this month I note less appointments of all kinds. I like July and August in and around Berlin so I shall have more time to show Marcel around. He asked me to do this yesterday, and take him on some bicycle rides. No problem!

Who has a birthday this month? Laura celebrated her 16th on Sunday 1 July. She was followed by Jutta who celebrated her 64th with Gerald. My Acer laptop is 1 year old on Wednesday :-) Adele has her birthday on 26th. Not many this month but Happy Birthday to each and all!