June 2013 Things

I've really enjoyed May inspite of the weather! The highpoint was the trip to Ireland to celebrate my BIG birthday. I also liked settling back into life in Berlin and listening to .... guess what?......yes, the Berliners complaining about the weather :-)

What's happening in June? The month starts tomorrow with me going to a SPD six hour workshop about migration and integration. I am on my local party committee about the subject and we are all now trying to learn more about the subject/topic. I wonder if I can cope with  six hours?

Next Monday I'm going to my first meeting of Toastmasters to see if I can learn anything about making presentations in German. Let's see what happens! I have been invited to join other new SPD members at a welcome party at Willy Brandt Haus. I'm looking forward to the event.

Other party events follow, plus standing in for more teachers. There is a concert of music by  Kissine and Rachmaninow on Friday 14 June. After that I have a quiet weekend in which I can pack my bag before flying to the UK for two weeks. I shall be joining some of the family members you can see on/in this old black and white photo! I'm almost hidden on the back row, centre-right.

Who has a birthday in June? Nicholas B. starts the month on the 3rd June. I shall share a bottle with him and family in the UK later that month! My iMac has its 6th birthday on the 6th - but it still works okay inspite of advancing age (a bit like me).  On the 19th June my father would have been 101 years old and my mother 'only' 95 years old!  Back to Berlin. Hermann will be 76 on the 25th and that is it for birthdays in June. Happy birthday to each and all (who are alive) and have a great day with family and friends!

Poland

I went to Poland today. I can hear the Silsdeners saying,"What, just like that?". Yes, just like that for there is a train to the border each hour from my local station at Lichtenberg.  It was not planned. The day started with a visit to a large electronic store.

Yesterday I bought the wrong DVD, so I took it back and got the right one. It is called Django and is a Tarantino film. I saw it in the cinema and commented on this blog. A must see film and a must have DVD in your collection!

On my way home I noted that a train to the Polish border was leaving in ten minutes. I just decided to jump on it. I had no passport or ID with me.

Don't need it/them these days. The line is now run by a private company. I was impressed by/with the train and service.

It is many years since I regularly made the train journey to Kustrzyn. From there Polish friends met me and took me to their home in Gorzow Wielkopolski.

Happy times and memories. In those days Poland was not in the EU, so there were border/police controls at the station.

No more. I was able to wander around and slip back down memory lane. It was nice hear people speaking Polish around me, see local produce in shops and enjoy a solid tasty Polish meal. To just taste local potatoes is one reason alone to make the trip!

Back to the station and the journey back. It only takes one hour and twenty minutes. That is how close I live to Poland.

My trip was not planned so I also had no camera. The solution was to use my mobile phone. Not the best quality but at least a few pics to illustrate the day.

Sunday things

Since my last post I have been very busy. I got a nice call from Marga and we chatted a lot about the football match in London yesterday. I later discovered that liebe Andrea was at the match in London. Wow!  I saw a nice pic of her outside Wembley Stadium.

Her brother Jan is also a champion. He sent me a report in Dutch and a photo just before I flew to Dublin. This afternoon I had time to look in more detail. I could also understand the text for it is relatively close to German. I can hear/read it and understand but I can't speak it.

The story is that his team won the local football championship in early May. Congratulations all round! They got bunches of flowers as you can see in the picture. He is on the bottom row, second from the right. I bet they sank a few beers back in the changing rooms! Nice one Jan - an extra beer is waiting for you here!

I also picked up an e-mail from 'Capt'n Bob'. He wants me to help him put his boot into water next Saturday. I can't for I have a long workshop. Now all we have to do is find another day. His boat is called Anja II. Here is a nice pic. It needed a lot of work on the hull and motor but now is waiting to be lowered into the H20. Looking forward to steering it around this summer.

Finally, all this took place to the tune of Richard Wagner's Lohengrin. It is being broadcast live from the Wales Millennium Centre in a new production by the Welsh National Opera. It runs for 5 hours with 2 breaks.  I remember sitting through a performance many years ago. There are even longer Wagner operas :-) It is being broadcast live by BBC Radio 3.

Coincidence: Wagner was born on 22 May 1813 in Leipzig, hence lots of performances all over Europe for it is his 200th anniversary year. The party that later became the SPD was founded one day later on 23 May also in Leipzig, but in 1863 = 150 years ago. We Germans got a double dose of celebrations last week. Yippee!

Stefan's Gang

After stretching with Kerstin's Gang on Friday morning, I changed and went to meet Stefan's Gang for another Photoshop session. I took a bottle of sekt and some salty 'nibbles' as a late celebration of my birthday. I got lots of hearty greetings and best wishes before we turned to work.

Stefan is oganising a public exhibition of our work this semester and it will be on Tuesday 18 June. I shall miss it for I am flying to England the day before. Stefan said it didn't matter that I would not be there. It was more important to show my work with that of the others. He's right!  This time we posed for new photos.

They were put into each computer and we had to select a background. I selected the front of the building where the classes are held. I put the new images into the background then got help to airbrush the plants and grass onto shoes so that it appeared some were standing on/in the grass/flowers. How about this image of our nice ladies I created  :-)

Next week looks pretty full. I only have Tuesday free. On Wednesday evening I am going to the first meeting of the Migration and Integration committee of the local SPD to which I was recently elected. I have already written down some points I want discussed. Next Saturday I am booked into an all day  training workshop on the same topic. It should expand my German vocabulary about migration!   Have a nice week wherever you are:-)

Velten - 2

Before we return to Velten let me make a football comment. I think most Germans watched the match on TV yesterday evening from Wembley Stadium in London. I heard in the radio that 150,000 German fans had travelled to London for the event, although not that number had tickets for the game. I guess they just wanted to watch it on big screens nearby and see if English beer tasted better than the last time they visited. It doesn't :-(

Marga told me that most Germans wanted Borussia Dortmund to win against FC Bayern München. They didn't. They lost 2:1 with the winning goal scored in the last but one minute of the game. I thought it was a good match, and Dortmund certainly took the game to Bayern's defenders for most of the first half.

Back to Velten and my adventures there last Tuesday. With the creation of Germany and Berlin as its capital in 1871, there was a rapid increase in population, buildings and each required heating.

 Production at Velten increased to supply demand. I think I saw at least twenty factories on the map when I was there. This in turn created a workforce and so the town expanded to house them. And all from 'der Kachelofen'.

It was time for lunch. Our hostess Frau Gabi Kind had organised a large table at the local Italian restaurant. Here is a photo of her. She is always smiling and is the leader of the AG60+ group of the SPD in Lichtenberg, where I live. I now go to her Thursday morning breakfasts with other oldies:-)  Here is a photo of some of my fellow oldies about to 'dine'.

Later we drove out of town to a village to visit the workshop founded by a famous designer and producer of ceramics. She died in 2011, but her family continued and expanded the business. I discovered they have a shop in Berlin.  After that, it was time to settle into the cars and head back to Berlin. I really enjoyed the day and learning more about the area I live. Thanks to Gabi for organising it!

Velten - 1

Last Tuesday morning I arrived at the AWO office in Lichtenberg to meet my oldie AG60+ gang. They are the over 60 members of my local SPD. Frau Kind is the 'boss' and she had arranged a day out.

Sixteen of us gathered outside the office and piled into four cars. We headed into the city centre to find the motorway to take us into the west and then north of the city. It was interesting for me to listen to them talking in 'Berlinisch' about many things including their childhood.

I picked up two new words, 'Goebbels Schnauze'. It was the unofficial title of the radio designed and sold at the start of the National Socialist dictatorship in 1933. A simple common  radio was later developed and sold in Britain a few years later.

We duly arrived in Velten and so started my voyage of discovery into another small part of German history. Velten is situated to the north west of Berlin near to the larger town of Oranienberg. Until the mid/late 1860s it was a small sleepy agricultural village.

Someone discovered that the soil contained clay that could be used for making tiles. These tiles had the quality of being able to retain heat. That was the start of the 'der Kachelofen' boom = a (glazed) tiled stove. There was nothing of comparison developed in Britain.

It burnt anything, particularly wood and later coal. It heated a room/flat and a kitchen stove was later developed on the same principle. The latter was produced and widely used in Britain. I remember my grandmother had such a stove.

The early models were expensive and purchased be the richer members of society. We saw stoves from Vienna in 1720, others from what is now south Germany, the one used by Napoleon's wife Josephine, others bought by aristocratic families and later the simpler ones used by Berlin's new working class.

For me it was fascinating to learn more about German/Berlin history through the story of the development of a heating system. I learnt, for example, that Velten factories produced 100.000 stoves in 1905 and sold them in Berlin. This was the high spot of production.

Now it is time to stop posting to my blog and watch two German football teams playing in Wembley in London.

Köpenick

Last Sunday I took tram 27 and arrived at Köpenick Town Hall exactly at noon as arranged.  It was an 'oldie' lunch meeting. One oldie was waiting for me. We sat and waited for more.

Nothing happened. It is sometimes useful to have a mobile phone - or as the Germans named the invention, a 'handy'!

Upon calling said absent oldies I discovered, (a) the grandchildren had suddenly arrived (b) we had forgotten about the meeting - sorry! (c) we don't feel very well.  The present oldie and I decided to go to a local restaurant and try to salvage something from the arrangement.

I had been to the restaurant before and knew it for simple good quality dishes at a reasonable price. It hadn't changed. It was nice to relax in the sun and enjoy a tasty meal. From where I sat I could look out onto the river and enjoy the view. Sometimes tourist boats came by. It was very relaxing.

After the meal we headed east towards my favourite lake in Berlin. It is called Muggelsee and I have often posted stories about my adventures there on this blog. Another leisurely walk along the south shore and the appropriate stop for afternoon coffee and cakes ended a most enjoyable day.

Here are a few photos including one of the very impressive Town Hall building. It is not far from the much older Castle/Palace Köpenick built on the side of the nearby river. Pity that few tourists ever come to visit this part of Berlin. It really is worth seeing.

Portrane

After the visit to Drogheda, I stayed at Jarlath's house for the last evening. I was surprised to get room service of tea and a plate of biscuits delivered to me in the guest room by said host. Better than my nice hotel. I slowly woke into the day and over breakfast found myself saying, "I don't want to leave. I want to stay here!"

Jarlath just smiled and said I could stay whenever I wanted. Nice of him, so next time I hit Dublin I don't need to book a hotel room. I also said I wanted to go up the coast again for I didn't have to hand the car back until 4:00 pm. We settled on a visit to Portrane.

I enjoyed driving along the coast rode and finally parked the Fiat in the harbour area. It was a blustery day with squalls of wind and occasional rain showers. Even so we braved the weather and walked along the harbour wall.

Just off the harbour is an island called Lambay Island on the maps. Local people call it Irelands Eye. It is uninhabited even though a small fortress was built there about 1812 to deter Napoleon from landing troops there.  I think the English military leaders must have also been mad then.

I can just imagine Napoleon saying to Josephine over breakfast,  "I'm not going to take the Grand Army to Moscow today - I think I'll send it to Ireland and capture Lambay Island". And they gave such idiot Generals land and titles in Ireland!

Back in Dublin we had a light lunch. I packed my bag, checked my travel documents and I drove my trusty Fiat Panda back to the Herzt compound. Everything went smoothly and we took the hospitality bus back to the airport.

Grateful thanks to Jarlath for all his help and acting as my guide around Dublin. He modestly said he always enjoys having guests and showing them around 'his' city. I went through Departures and all the time wasting security checks that travel entails these days.

A sleepy two hour flight back to Berlin and emerged from the airport. Walked to the railway station and waited ten minutes for my regional train which would take me back to Karlshorst in all of 12 minutes. Then it happened! My allergies came back! Loud sneezing, runny nose and red burning eyes. I was back in Berlin. Welcome home John!

Drogheda

I had a pleasant and uneventful drive on the M7 to Dublin. At a coffee and 'comfort' stop I got into conversation with two nice young ladies. One thought my English accent sounded to have German tones!  She came from Krakau in Poland and had had German lessons at school for eight years.

We switched into German and had a nice conversation about her home towm. I have been there twice and can recommend anyone to visit. It is a UN designated Culture City. There are more museums, bookshops, concert halls, libraries than you could ever visit. It also has a really welcoming atmosphere.

Back on the road and challenged by the task of working out how to get to Jarlath's house in the north of Dublin near the beach. I decided on the M50. This takes you from south/north on the outskirts of the city. It is a toll motorway but not expensive. I left at the right exit and just kept driving east. I only had to stop once to ask for directions and that was a mile from his house. Not bad!

I duly arrived to find him about to eat lunch with a friend from Egypt. Nothing like getting to know Multi-Kulti people!  I didn't join them but I had to tell them about my adventures over the last few days and how I had found the house without having to telephone for help. I told them a nice story as they ate!

I also said I wanted to go to Drogheda (Droichead Atha). This is on the coast north of Dublin. They agreed and we piled into my Fiat. The weather was also warm(ish) with blue skies. I really enjoyed driving there.

 On landing in Ireland with his army, Cromwell attacked an Irish army based at Drogheda. It was a massacre and he almost destroyed the town. From there he headed south and met the main Irish Army. Sir Philip O'D and his men were part of that army. They were heavily defeated with huge losses. I had to see the place before I left.

We got into the town centre and celebrated with coffee and cakes in a cafe next to the Cathedral. From there we wandered around the old city and went into the cathedral. The building did shake as I entered but did not fall down!  The place is famous for having the head of the now 'Saint' Oliver.

Apparently he was a priest who preached many things including Irish independence. The English sentenced him to death. This was duly done via the old standard practice of 'Hung, Drawn & Quartered'. Somehow, what is claimed to be Oliver's head ended up in this cathedral.

What a load of old rubbish!  This is a fairy tale on the level of anything coming out of Hollywood!  I think the head looks to be made of plastic and I loudly said so. I got some strange looks from 'believers'! Some people will believe anything.

I know a women in Berlin who fervently believes that E.Presley is living on the moon with M.Jackson - she is not in a mental hospital! I jest not!

Nenagh

I spent my last evening in Tipperary in the town of Nenagh. It is north of our old family district but close to lakes and I wanted to see both land and water before Dublin.

I found a nice hotel near the centre and booked in. Good price and very good room and service. After freshening up I drove out of town to Lough Derg, which I am sure you will know is a large lake to the north and forms part of the border of County Tipperary.

I visited the lakeside towns/resorts of Dromineer and  Portroe before driving back to the hotel as the sun set. At the hotel I 'dined' in their restaurant, wandered in the garden then dozed in front of my TV until it was time to 'hit the sack'. I felt happy about the day as I fell into a deep sleep!

Next morning I had a traditional breakfast before packing my bag, starting the car and heading south to pick up the M7 to take me east to Dublin and my last full day in Ireland.

Templederry

After a coffee break in Upperchurch I jumped into the Fiat and drove to Ballycahill then to The Ragg.

It is a famous restaurant-pub. I had a light lunch there then drove on the R498 to Borrisoleigh.

I stopped at all these places and took photos. The scenery looks the same as that in photos I have already posted, so let's push on with the journey.

I arrived at Templederry which is the northern most town in the old family lands/district. It was a small agricultural town in a green valley between two hills.

 I got into conversation with two nice women and ended up having tea and cakes with them as I listened to tales about the small town.

 It is very representative of the whole district so lets end my tour of District Kilnamanagh with two nice shots of the hills, fields and that dominant green colour!

Upperchurch

I had a pleasant drive on the R503 from Hollyford to Upperchurch. This is also a small town to the east of the Silvermine Mountains. Again, lush deep green grass fed to regular rains coming from the mountains.




I really liked this town. I found two O'D shops. I just had to go into the one with the business of undertakers and foodstore. (above). What a combination!  I met David O'D son of the owner called John O'D! Dad was out on business = putting someone into a coffin!

I chatted with David for some time. I learnt that the town marked the end of the O'D dominated settlement area and the further north in District Kilnamanagh  I went, I would meet more Ryans. This subsequently turned out to be true.

I then went to Joe O'Ds butchers shop. His wife was great and told me so much about the family and area. I told her she even looked like my Aunt Mary.

She beamed with happiness at that comment for I told her Aunt M was an angel :-)

Hollyford

I them returned to the main road and turned onto the R497 heading north to Hollyford.  On this route we are heading into the Silvermine Mountains. These were to the west of our family lands.

They got rain from the Atlantic which ran into the valleys below to feed the grass which in turn fed the animals on which the people depended.

I found it to be a nice small town with a school for the children in the area, When I was there, the boys were playing football and making a lot of noise. I watched them for a while and enjoyed them enjoying the sport. I wandered through the rest of the village and found an amazing cottage.


I blinked my eyes and wondered if I had stumbled onto the set of the Hobbit or Lord of the Rings! In front of me was a cottage that must have been the model for Bilbo Baggen's house! What do you think? I wonder if the director of the films had Irish ancestry?

Annacarty

From Cappawhite I drove eastwards towards Annacarty. It was not on my original plan of places to visit.

I picked up the idea as I drove around the area. I was just curious to see what it was like for it was a town/area not far from Dundrum.

I found a village with a ruin and monument to a 'brave soldier' of the IRA who died in 1923. I guess this was in the period of strife with Michael Collins and others who had a different vision about what the Irish Republic should be. I must do more research on this period.

I walked to the ruined castle and with some difficulty I entered the shell. Again surprised by how little room there was for villagers to protect themselves from attack. I thought about women and children in this place scared by people outside who wanted to harm or even kill them.

What times they lived through and survived. I noticed that on the outskirts of the village a new housing development had been built. Clearly before the bank crash. New young families, children and a future for the place. That is positive and sits with the relics of foregone centuries who also survived against all odds.

Cappawhite

From Toem I drove the short distance north to Cappawhite. This is also in the old list of town/areas in the family possession of 1655.


It is a traditional Irish village looking like many others. I liked the T junction meeting which forms the centre of the small town.

I saw people moving around shopping and talking. I also noted that the village post office plays a very important role in village life and communication. I saw this in all the villages and small towns I visited. On buying stamps for postcards I got into interesting conversations with women behind or in front of me.  Interesting that I only saw women!

I read the local notice board and noted that two septs were listed as dominant in the area. The O'Ds and the Ryans. The latter have a long history of marrying with O'Ds. I know this happened in my family two or three generations ago.

Again, a local butchers shop in the centre and I wondered why so many survived. The answer is clear that local like to eat local beef and meat products so there is always a butchers shop in a village or small town.

Fortunately I had sunshine and blue skies as I set off on my further adventures. That and my classical radio station on the car radio made me smile and feel much younger as I headed off for another town and adventure.