September 2013 Things

August started warm and with more time for myself to be lazy. This included reading while sunning myself on the balcony, or in the garden. As the month moved towards September, other plans, appointments and activities popped into the diary. Nothing new about that for the summer holiday was ending and life in Berlin began to return to normal.

The later highspots were visitors from the UK and Hungary and you can read this on the blog. Marcel succeeded in his German exam and is packing his bags as I write these words. He is taking an overnight coach from Budapest to Berlin in five hours.

He plans to sleep the night away as the coach takes him through Slovakia, the Czech Republic and through southeast Germany until it stops in the ZOB in Berlin at 12:30 tomorrow. Marga and I shall be there to see him stagger out of the coach.

We expect him to be very hungry so we plan to find a restuarant relatively soon. Then I shall steer him through Berlin to the 'wild' east where I live. I have arranged for him to stay with Johanna. I have already told you about her on this blog and there is a photo of me with her on the page behind this one.

On Monday morning I shall take him to the TU to sign in and do as much paperwork as possible. This includes opening a bank account, getting health insurance and a travel pass.Heike D. and Marga are busy looking for a place in a student home, but his could take months!

As he settles into life in Berlin as a student, I shall be 'swanning off' to Nice in the south of France in the second week of the month. Hannelore will meet me and take me to their house in Claviers for a short holiday. Peter is now feeling better after the operation and wants me to visit. Happy to oblige!

Who has a birthday in September? Lynne B. in Cas-Vegas starts the month with her 66th on the 1st of September, Charlotte in London will be 22 on the 6th. This is a day she shares with Nevand in Berlin who will be all of 7 on that day. Liebe Andrea hits 28 on the 8th, Stephen in Cambridge will be 43 on the 22nd, Robert G. hits 35 on the 23rd, Sylvana will celebrate her 53rd with Mathias in Berlin on the 25th, Lew G. will celebrate his birthday with my sister Pauline on the 27th in Cambridge. Silke my camera teacher will celebrate her 43rd on the 28th, followed by nephew Jefferson who will be 40 on the 29th in Hook and so ends the birthday month.

Have a wonderful day each and all. HAPPY BIRTHDAY and enjoy the celebrations! 

Birgit remembered

I went to Birgit's grave today. I put flowers on it to remember a remarkable person who died on Friday 27th August 2004.

What a loss.  I always feel sad that I have not been able to share the last nine years adventures with her.

Sister Heike planned to travel to Berlin, but was suddenly taken ill and could not make the journey. No matter Heike, just get better soon and then come over including a stop at your favourite Böhmisches Restaurant :-)

der Abschied

On Sunday morning I called Sandor to say a final goodbye. He said they planned to leave at 9:00am once they could get Marcel into action! At the same time, Neil and Barbara were enjoying a final breakfast in their hotel before setting out for a last exploration of the centre.

I dozed in the sun on my balcony and waited for a call to say they were coming over. We had talked about having a walk around my tiny corner of Berlin before leaving for the airport. I dozed on and waited.

No call, but I reasoned they had found something really interesting and would ring the doorbell when they were ready. The bell rang just after 4:00pm. It turned out they had been trying to ring me for some hours without success.

On testing my phones it became clear that the problem was trying to get hold of me over a UK based service. We relaxed over a light meal I had prepared before slowly heading for the train to take us to the airport.  The photos show our progress.

Please don't wait another ten years to come back to Berlin. Now you have met more of my Oldies you have more reasons to return sooner rather than later.  Auf Wiedersehen!

Picnic

Marcel and his parents left Hungary for Berlin the day after Neil and Barbara settled into Berlin. A long drive and made longer by lots of road repairs on the way. They needed twelve hours from home to their hotel near Checkpoint Charlie in the centre of Berlin.

I couldn't meet them for I had a full day including an evening appointment. We had already organised things over the internet before they left Hungary. Last Friday I met Neil and Barbara at a U-Bahn in the south-west of Berlin. Marcel was then taking his German exam to study at the TU.

My Photoshop Gang had arranged to meet at Britzer-Garten for a photo taking session and have a picnic. We spent most of the time on the latter, and less on the former!

It was a really pleasant time with perfect weather. Neil and Barbara immediately felt at home. Half of them could speak English so they were able to communicate without help. Here is a photo of them with my gang. You can see they were enjoying themselves.

Visitors - 1

Neil and Barbara flew into Berlin last Wednesday for a five day visit. They came to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary. They were here for their 25th and liked the city so decided to return.

They told me this when I visited them with Trish. Just scroll to the next page and you will find that story as part of my Brighton visit. We met at Sussex University many, many years ago! It is always nice to see them for they are a lively couple and enjoy life.

I met them at the airport and took them to my place to relax in the garden. They did this with a light lunch and something cool in a glass. Lots of chatting and catching up on news. I then went with them to find their hotel.

It is on The Ku'damm and called Hotel California. Yes, it is true! It was named after the pop song from the 1970s. Very nice and friendly place. After they freshened up we set off to meet Marga. All of one S-Bahn stop from the hotel.

We went to her favourite bar-restaurant. I have been there many times and also like the relaxed atmosphere, good food and service. They quickly got to know each other and I was happy to watch them doing so.

I was the first to leave for I had a series of appointments next day, and it takes me at least one hour to get home via public transport.They got to know each other better and have another glass of something cool!

A Vote

On my return home from Lübbenau/Raddusch, I opened my post box and found a letter smiling at me. I smiled back :-)) This is what it looks like.

Endlich - At last! How long have I waited for this?  It was a letter confirming I could vote in the next election on 22 September. It gave details of where I could vote and my number etc. Was I happy.

 I rushed to the fridge and opened a bottle of German Weissburgunder. I sipped a cool glass as I read the details. I was a very happy little Berliner as I finished reading the details and drained the glass!

 Lots of things to do with the SPD before then, but I shall be one of the proudest voters in four weeks time:-)

Raddusch

Slawenburg Raddusch is one of forty known fortified settlements in the Niederlausitz dating back to the 9th century and earlier. The area was then settled by Slavic speaking people. Some say distant cousins of Polish and/or Czech speaking peoples.

Germanic tribes had not settled in the area then. They came later. They were busy moving down the Rhine before heading east :-)  These 'Slawisch' people were farmers and herders of sheep and cows. They also built fortifications to protect themselves. They were not alone in doing this in Europe at the time.

As we approached the fortification I expected it to be made of stone. It wasn't. It was made of thick tree trunks stuck together with clay. There was water inside the fortification and I guess the locals must have kept a store of food at all times.

There is a museum inside. I read everything including that it was the location of a find in 1984. This was a copper and gold circular plate representing the sun, moon, seasons. It was not the only one. I discovered the idea originated in Greece-Egypt and spread north.

The museum presents a number of themes. How these people lived, the seasons plate, details about life and fortifications, details of the bronze age and settlements spreading from Turkey to Ireland, the things made from copper and gold including armaments.

I found it really interesting and learnt a lot more about the area where I live.What a pity visitors to Berlin will never see such a site. Keep reading my blog to see more interesting places!

Lübbenau

I spent the day in Lübbenau. Okay Silsdeners, get out your map of Berlin and area and put your finger in the middle of Berlin. Move it down a bit in the direction of south east. Good, now you are on the Berliner Ring.

This is a motorway system that circles Berlin. It is rather like the M25 which circles London. Now keep moving you finger south east and you will be on a motorway that runs from Berlin to Dresden.

Keep moving you finger along and you will find the motorway splits. One goes in the direction of Cottbus - and towards Poland. Go along a bit and you will suddenly find Lübbenau. It is considered to be the gateway/centre of an area called the Spreewald.

This is famous for its small pickled gurken/cucumbers and the myriad of streams that mark the beginning of the River Spree. This is the river that flows through Berlin. It is equivalent to the Thames and London.

I went there with my SPD Oldies. We meet every Thursday for breakfast, as you know. Gabi is the boss and organises everything. I posted an earlier story about a day out with them in a town famous for its tile production. She organised this day. It was great.

We jumped into three cars and drove all of the 90 kilometres to our destination. I start my photos with a view of some of the gang in the town centre leading to where you pick up the boats. They are flat bottomed and the equivalent are the punts you can steer around Cambridge.

We met for coffee and a chat then got into a punt/called der Kahn in German and off we went for an hours tour around the waters of the area. We then stopped for lunch and a beer. No surprise there!  Then another hour of being 'punted' along the waters until we returned to Lübbenau.

The mandatory stop for Kaffee und Kuchen then followed before we got into the cars and headed for Raddusch. See next post!

France

I've just booked my flight to France. Endlich! I called Hannelore and Peter this morning to get the latest news of Peter's health. I expected to talk to Hannelore. She was reading on the terrace so Peter picked up the phone.

What a nice surprise. He is now recuperating at home. It was great to talk to him but I could hear a weakness/tiredness in his voice. No surprise given the operation and problems he has been through lately.

He said he wanted me to visit them and that he was well and fit enough to have a visitor = me!  We agreed that I would look for a flight and then phone back to see if this was convenient.  I did just that.

I am flying to Nice in the second week of September to spend a week with them. I called Peter back to ask if this was okay. He immediately said, "Book it now!" I did as told.

I'm looking forward to seeing them both and getting to know the sights, sounds and smells of the Provence again! Why did I always have problems to learn French given I feel at home when I am in France?

Sharing one of my favourite summer pics with you. It has nothing to do with France, but I just like this shot of Trish. Why don't you come with me Trish?

Pie Time

I've just been sorting through some papers and found a letter from Alan and Lynne. The main story was about the German boss of Haribo in Wakefield being made Business Person of the Year. The company is to open a new factory.

I then turned over the page and found this. My eyes opened wide. Pork pies! Lots of them!!  The quality of the copy is not very good but I think you get  the idea.

The story is about a pie eating competition at a farming event. A policeman called PC Grayson was crowned King of the Pie Eaters. You can see him at the front of the photo, wearing a light green top, and a dedicated pie eaters face.

Mmmmh...I could just eat a pile of pork pies now. Instead, I have the left overs from my garden party yesterday. Enjoy your lunch!

21 thousand

Just noticed that the number of 'hits' in now 21,111. That's over a thousand in one month. This is a record for my blog.

 I wonder if my reports of holidays in England then in Hungary pushed up viewing figures? Methinks ja! I've also had a number of e-mails and calls from people saying how much they enjoyed reading the summer stories.

To show my gratitude I shall post a photo of me with a glass in my hand to toast you all and say a big THANKS!

Garden Parties

I've had a pleasant week. It started quietly with no appointments and ended with me galloping around and only at home to sleep!

Thursday evening I went to my local SPD Summer Party. Very nice! Our Mayor introduced the General Secretary to me. Her name is Andrea Nahles and she was the guest speaker, The Mayor told her that I had taken German citizenship and then joined the party. She was very interested and we had a good chat.

Next day I went to Schröder's garden house for a Stefan's Photoshop Gang Summer Party and enjoyed relaxing in their garden. No surprise that the main activity was 'Grillen', and very tasty too with a cool glass of beer. Here are a few pics, including one of Helga offering you something!

From there, I rushed back to my corner of the city to help at a SPD stand and giving out information to the passing public. On Saturday morning I worked with other members knocking on doors and giving out even more information.

On returning home, I put furniture in my garden, prepared food and got ready for three 'Oldie' guests. It was the first time we had met this year. Lots of talk about meeting until I said stop talking and let's just do it. Two arrived with the help of crutches/walking stick. They were more than happy to sit in the shade of a tree and enjoy what I had prepared.

It is clear that summer is coming to an end, so it is important to enjoy what is left with nice garden parties :-)

Wandlitz

I've just got back from Wandlitz. I can hear the Silsdeners asking where it is! It is a small town on a lake called Wandlitzsee. See means lake in German. It is to the north-west of Berlin. It was my first visit. It will probably by my last!

One of the 'oldies' in one of my  'oldie' gangs suggested a trip there. Four of us agreed to go. Only two appeared at the meeting point today. I think the other two had heard something we hadn't.

Wandlitz is (in)famous as the place where members of the DDR Politburo had their summer/weekend retreat houses in a heavily guarded enclosure. Their enclosure is now a tourist sight next to a large clinic for the terminally ill. An interesting combination!

We walked across the road to the lake to discover you could only go to the shore if you paid and that all of the shore line is not accessible. Since reunification, owners of shore-line properties have taken over the bits that go to the shore/beach.

Bad luck for the rest. There is no access to the beach except the small public one for which you have to pay. We decided on a walk. It was cold, windy and not very summer like. Another discussion led to a retreat to a nice German restaurant.

Good food and a glass of cool Riesling soon improved the mood. Here are a few photos of the event and you can compare the weather to that in my last post when we were sweating in 30+°C. My photos then showed the end of the high heat period of summer. Pity! More sun please :-)

End of Summer

Last week I watched the end of summer in Berlin. Upon my return from Hungary a period of unusual hot and humid days started. The days turned into weeks with almost no break in the weather pattern.

And then it did, but not in the usual thunder storm way. There was a rapid cooling and high winds one night. This change woke me at 4.30am. With bleary eyes I went to my balcony and watched an interesting 'sky' show.

There were rapid changes of colours and it was really light for that time in the morning. As I watched my brain woke up and suggested I take a few photos. I finally got the camera into action and these are two of the shots I took.

They were taken with a time difference of about 1 minute. You can see how quickly the same patch of sky was changing. Amazing! I instinctively knew I was watching something very special. From then, the weather has returned to its usual late summer pattern.

You can see for yourself from the picture taken today and in the next post. Look at the overcast sky, the temperature was low and a cool wind was blowing. I also want to go back to Hungary.  Marcel has gone back to Balaton which is enjoying 30+°C today!

Falkenberg

I've just got back from Falkenberg. I don't go there very often. I think today was the third time. The other times I just went through it by bicycle. I can hear the Silsdeners asking where it is!

From where I live, get on Tram 27 and get out at the last stop. Walk 5 minutes and you are there. It is a very small part-district to the north east of Berlin. It is almost over the border in the state of Brandenberg. You won't find it on any tourist map!

I went there on the recommendation of Johanna. We planned to cycle there but due to changes in the  weather, we switched to the local tram. My camera teacher, Sylke, came along. We hadn't seen each other for a long time.

In Falkenberg, Johanna led us to our target. An old single story building now housing a cafe. It is owned by a lady from Canada, but I don't think she served us. Its reputation is growing by word of mouth. This means simple home made food and quality.

It is excellent. The atmosphere, food, service and general ambiance are perfect for a lazy few hours, no matter the weather. I really liked it and shall go back before snow starts to fall! The weather is changing.

Huge storms yesterday evening, cooler next week with more rain. My routine is returning to the pre-holiday pattern. I think the days of enjoying 30°C, while sleeping under a tree in my garden, are over.

Pity! I have really enjoyed the last three months. I could do it all again :-)

Na, prost!

And so all good things come to an end. I didn't want to get into the car and head for the airport at Budapest. Ilonka was working, so Sandor drove me and Marcel came along.

I started this series of posts about my holiday in Hungary with the news that I had safely arrived back in Berlin. That is also the end point of the story.

Lots of happy memories with many to do with meals and having a drink. Hungarian hospitality has both at the centre.  To end here is a photo of Ilonka offering a cold bottle of 'champers' to me when I arrived at their house in Miskolc for the first time.

The other is of us on my last evening when we drank a glass of Opa's red wine and left a message to Marga saying. " Opas's Red Wine is waiting for you!" A very nice way to end my series of posts.

Thanks for your e-mails expressing interest in the country and capital city! Nice to hear from you even if you did not use the Comment function.

King Jay

On the way back to Budapest we stopped at another old historical town with a ruined castle. We stopped just to enjoy cooler evening air and take in the views. At this place there were some 'seats' used in the 'Good Old Day' for torture.

I put Marcel into a couple and threatened to throw away the key. His parents shouted out, "Throw it away!" as other people looked on. Marcel shouted, "No, don't". Being an old softy I decided to let him out of the torture seats. I have since wondered if I made the right decision :-)

Nearby was a replica of an old throne for the Hungarian Kings and Queens. We took away the rope designed to keep the 'riff-raff' away, so I was able to take my seat as König Johannes I von Ungarn.

My reign lasted only a few minutes for Marcel called out, " Move your fat b...t...m  so I can have a picture". In the 'Good Old Days' I am sure I would have had him beheaded for such impudence :-)

Later, or was it before this trip ?  Marcel had to go somewhere in Miskolc, but we had some time before the appointment. He wanted to show me a little lake near the family house where he had played as a little boy.

We climbed into a rowing boat and off he went. He quickly remembered how to row and really enjoyed it. I enjoyed watching him enjoying part of his childhood again :-)

Originally I wasn't going to post these photos for they did not fit into a schematic plan. Later I decided to just add them for the fun of sharing those moments with you. Looking at them again I can see I made the right decision.

Up River

If you jump in the River Danube outside Parliament and swim against the current you will not only get tired, but eventually arrive at Esztergom just south of the border with the Republic of Slovakia. Lots of mountains and high passes so you can't miss it.

On the way you will swim into an equally old historical town called Szentendre. My hosts decided it was time for me to see it towards the end of my stay. A very pleasant drive north then west. The road and rail tracks follow the river. It's easier that way!

Szentendre was the seat of a royal family in the early days of settlement by Hungarians. It was also a strategic place for the military. You can see the ruins of a castle on top of a very high hill overlooking a bend in the river. The original defence works are about 900 years old. They were extended over many years.

During winter there can be flooding. Last winter the river rose over the road and rail tracks. Not nice! Drive to the top of the hill next to the one with the castle and you will discover a really great hotel and restaurant right at the top. Go into the restaurant's outside terrace and you can wine and dine with a truly spectacular view. We did!

As you chomp your way through delicious goulash, or fish, and sip a local wine, you can watch the boats docking way below. I discovered they were full of 'Seniors' from Germany who then got into coaches to ferry them to the top of our hill.

They swarmed all over with lots of 'Ooooohs' and 'Aaaaahs' as they enjoyed the views. They also snipped and snapped with little digital cameras. At least they had the courtesy not to come too close as we ate. Thanks for that my fellow 'Seniors'.

Here are some 'snaps' of the place and the nice people who were there = us!

School's out for ever

Many years ago there was a pop song called, 'School's out for summer'. It was an English band if my memory serves me right, but I can't remember anything else.

I thought about it again as Marcel asked me to accompany him to his school to meet his closest friends. They are Csaba and Dines. You met them on my blog a year ago when they visited Berlin.  They all graduated at the end of June. School really is out and for good!

Their school is in the centre of Miskolc and is equivalent to a High School College in the USA and a Grammar School in England. They all got high marks. Marcel got a 1:2 which is excellent. They are all going to study at different universities from September.

They wanted to show me around and that I take photos. Here are a few. I think they really enjoyed re-living their years, particularly when they showed me the door to their last classroom - 12C. Csaba wanted to show me their gym. He likes sports!

We then walked a short distance to the main street and found a popular student bar. It was hot so we decided to cool down with a beer. You can see it was the right decision. The best way to close a chapter of their lives as they prepare for the next one.

From the river

While still in Budapest, we took a cruise boat one evening. I enjoyed seeing the city centre from the river as darkness fell. It was also cool after another warm day. You can take a boat tour through Berlin and you will experience the same. It all looks different from the water.

There are a lot of bridges over the Danube. I took lots of photos and like to see them again. I selected only a couple for this story. I include a shot of the family as they listened to the tour over headphones. I like it because they did not pose for the shot.

Later we went for a walk on the Buda hills opposite the Parliament. I discovered the Presidents Palace which includes his office and official residence. Here is a shot of me posing outside the door. The police guards just looked on in a very bored way!

Next day we headed north-east to the city of Miskolc to the family house. They are building a new one in the hills north of Budapest but it is not ready yet. The one in Miskolc is also in hills. Cycling on the flat is much easier folks!