Neil

After sleeping late to catch up on the energy used for Herren Tag and the lost rucksack adventure, I prepared myself to go into town and meet Neil. He was duly waiting for me on the platform at Hackescher Markt. I was there on Wednesday to breakfast with Jan, if you remember!

In a previous blog post I told you Silsdeners who he was. I forgot to tell you he is originally from Liverpool and his father still lives there. I met his father and uncle a number of years ago when Neil was working in, and galloping around, Berlin.

He had taken the train to Berlin to spend a few days with the family of his ex- and generally catch up on life in Berlin. His lady arrived in Berlin later this afternoon, so after our meeting he took the train to Spandau to meet her.

We found a new(ish) family owned and run Italian restaurant and decided to settle there for lunch. A good decision. Lots of catching up and occasional references to times in the past when Neil lived in Berlin. I discovered he reads this blog regularly. Very good and keep reading Neil.

I got a nice surprise at the start of our meal. He gave me a late 70th birthday present. Being Neil, it had to be a book and no surprise that it was. It is called, Pies and Prejudice: In search of the North. It was written by Stuart Maconie and seems to be a look at the north of England (where I was born) with a smile on the cheeks!

Neil is not only an English lecturer in a university, but also an author. His second book will appear in about six weeks and I am looking forward to buying/reading it. His first book was 'Rocky Passages: Surviving 40 years of life with music'. You can still buy it. The ISBN is 978-3-86386-060-8. You will find a section about me in a chapter:-)

In our conversation he talked about what he would like to inherit from me on my death. Don't be surprised at this please my Silsdeners! In the last couple of years many people have openly talked to me about my death and inheritance. Marcel openly talks to me about my death. Jan doesn't.

Neil said he wanted two musical things from me. One was my favourite Mahler piece of music and the other was my favourite piece of Bruckner music. I found this request very interesting. I have subsequently thought about it and even sharing my thoughts with you about this via my blog. Why should only Neil have this information when I die. Why not you?

At the end of our lunch, Neil said he wanted to meet me on his next visit in my flat. I asked why and he said it was to sample my collection of whisk(e)y. Big smile from both of us and then I told him it was a deal. I do not drink whiskey alone so here is a photo of my collection. Have a look at it Neil and pick the ones you want to sample on your next visit :-))

Hero of the Day

The Hero of the Day was Marcel. In my last post I told you about Herren Tag. The story ended when we left Strausberg to head back to Berlin. So far so good . The S-Bahn duly arrived and we entered the bicycle section in the middle. Yes, they actually have such sections in the S-Bahn.

My rucksack was in the wire shopping basket behind the saddle. My bicycle and Marcel's was resting against my right leg and so to reduce the weight and pressure, I removed the rucksack and placed it on the seat next to me.

We duly arrived at my local S-Bahn. We got out. The S-Bahn left for the next station. We then took the lift to the street above and I noticed something was missing. Yes, my rucksack was still in the S-Bahn and heading towards the centre and west of the city - without me!

I went cold as I realised what I had lost. At that point Marcel the Hero took over. He told me to return to the platform, which we did. There he found a telephone number to call in/for emergencies. He called the number on his new 'chicy' smart phone - I posted about this in an earlier blog.

He then gave the phone to me and I talked to a women and gave her the details. She took down the information and Marcel's number and said we should call her again in 30 minutes. It was cold on the platform as we waited for the time to pass.

During this time Marcel remained calm and talked about the probability of 'A' happening against 'B' happening. He was very reassuring, positive and calm. We talked to the S-Bahn lady again and she reported that no-one had called about finding a rucksack on that train.

At that point, I told Marcel it was hopeless and we should just accept that it had been stolen. He refused to accept that and said I would get a positive report. We took the lift to leave the station then his smart phone rang. It was a lady from the S-Bahn.

A colleague had called to say he had found a rucksack on the S-Bahn at Alexander Platz and I should go there to claim it. Marcel beamed with positive energy and said, " I told you so". I replied that they may have found my rucksack but it did not mean they had found the valuable contents.  

I had quickly worked out the value of the things in my bag. The total was over €500. The most valuable was my camera followed by my 'smart phone' and over €50 in cash in my wallet plus my months card for travelling on the public transport system plus lots of other plastic cards.

Marcel remained positive. We duly arrived at Alexander Platz and went to the information section on the platform. An ' elderly' gentleman welcomed me and asked me to describe what was in the rucksack. I did this in detail but even before I had finished he smiled as if to say that he had heard enough.

I got my rucksack back and with everything inside. Nothing was missing. Huge sigh of relief. A regional train arrived to take me to my station so I said a quick goodbye to Marcel and jumped into the train. As I journeyed home I reflected on Marcel and his reaction to events.

He remained calm throughout, logical, systematic thinking and positive. When I was asked to go to Alexander Platz to pick up the rucksack he said I didn't need him and he would go home. I said no and that I needed him until the matter was finally resolved.

Without a moment of hesitation he accepted that and went with me and supported me until I got my things back. For that alone, I made him my Hero of the Day. I saw a new side to him and one I respected and liked. Thanks Marcel:-)

Herren Tag

Yesterday was Herren Tag. How to translate this?  Gentlemens/Mens Day? It is the non-religious name for a day dedicated to men. The religious  name for the day is Christi Himmelfahrt. This loosely translates as Christi = Christ/Himmel = Heaven/ and the verb fahren which means to move, go, drive, and generally describes movement from A to B.

In English it means Ascension Day. For my sisters, who perform religious rituals, it means the day when a certain J.Christ moved home from the earth to a non-located place called heaven. Some  scientists are probably still looking for it.

In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, it is a public holiday. In the rest of the EU it is a working day. In and around Berlin it is an excuse for drinking beer, eating lots of grilled wurst(sausages) or even huge grilled steaks trying to hide in a roll, or slices of bread. These are liberally dosed with spicy mustard.

I never celebrate in Berlin. It has to be enjoyed in the countryside around Berlin in the villages where the men observe the traditions including travelling around in drinking-carts pulled by horses, eating too much, laughing a lot, telling risque jokes, stopping regularly to water nearby trees then resume drinking and generally being a good 'mate' or 'Kumpel'.

The carts are also decorated with branches, grass and flowers suggesting a very ancient non-religious season celebration. Unfortunately, yesterday was cold and grey. It did not rain but it had for two days before. I met Marcel to take him on his first tour to the east of Berlin on Herren Tag.

We took the S-Bahn to Petershagen Nord then jumped onto our bicycles and headed for Eggersdorf. There we enjoyed the Mittelalterfest = Middle Ages Festival. Lots of activities for locals particularly  children and, of course, lots of places to eat and drink.

We had a great day despite the weather. We arrived in Strausberg where we entered a restaurant opposite the family cafe which I usually visit. We had a good meal and lots of interesting conversations, mainly about his studies/subject. We then headed for the S-Bahn and an experience I never want to have again. See next blog post!

Breakfast

I had breakfast with Jan this morning. He flew in from Den Haag and we met in an area near Alexander Platz which has lots of cafes and restaurants. He looked very well and fit. He still trains for football so no surprise. See for yourself in the photo.

He was in town to meet friends from his school days. They meet once a year for a few days of catching up on news, grilling 'Wurst' over a campfire and drinking beer! I am very pleased that they still meet. This time at a lakeside north of Berlin. 

Tomorrow is 'Herren Tag'. It is a public holiday in most of Europe - not in the UK! I'm meeting Marcel with his new bicycle and heading out to the east. This will include a Mittal-Alter-Fest, lunch by the side of a lake, more cycling and tea-time under a tree on the way back.

On Friday, I am meeting Neil for lunch. He is spending the weekend in Berlin. We met when he worked for a local book publishing company and have kept in touch ever since. He now lives in Essen with his lady, who I also worked with,  and teaches at the local university.

On Saturday, I am joining a group of 'Oldies' for a gentle walk around a couple of lakes in the south of Berlin. First time there and I shall take my camera. On Sunday, I have no appointments so shall doze through the day when not sitting in the sun and reading my books. The start of another month.

Helping Janos

After helping the SPD, I jumped into a No. 17 tram and headed north. I live in the most southern part of Lichtenberg. My target was the Linden Centre in the northernmost part of Lichtenberg. Why?

I am a member of AWO, as you know if you read my blog! I had been asked by the AWO to help Janos. He is the Boss of my local AWO Centre and was representing  AWO at the 'Lichtenberger Sozialtage'

This is a three day event to showcase many of the social projects in the district, many aimed at seniors and children. I arrived in time to take over the stand and let him take a lunch break.

It was nice to see how many children came to the stand and asked if they could take the sweets and balloons on display. Some even came back for more. Nice!  All I have to do now is vote tomorrow and wait for the results. Just like millions of other Europeans.

Last Day

Today is the last day before the vote for the European Elections. The day started rather cold and cloudy, but brightened up to the pleasure of Berliners who wanted to get out of town and enjoy the countryside.

I was not with them for today was the last one to help the SPD to present its case and candidates. It started this morning with a stand in the shopping area of Karlshorst. Lichtenberg has six SPD districts and I live in No. 6. Each district had to get the EU message out today for the last time.

I spent the morning putting a newspaper, different pamphlets, and even a book containing recipes from all of the 28 countries making up the EU, into a package to give to locals.

The German contribution was Potato Soup and the British one was Apple Crumble. Other country contributors came up with rather more exotic recipes!

We also gave away lots of red roses with the information packages. They were well received by women. We also gave away balloons, pens and notepads for children. I enjoyed it. Here you can see some of my co-workers. 

Spargel

This week I have been very busy supporting the campaign of SPD candidates in the EU elections which takes place next Sunday. Even so I took time off to go to Jüterbog on Wednesday. It is to the south west of Berlin. I enjoyed the break and change of scenery.

I have posted reports about visits to Jüterbog before so I shan't bore you with repeating it all. Nice to see the couple again, catch up on news, talk about health and getting older, future and holiday plans and of course, a good lunch.

How about this photo? Yes, I ate it. Mmmmmh...delicious! It is Spargel time (Asparagus) which is quite a tradition here. You eat them with a butter sauce, potatoes and small pieces of meat. Simple, but very tasty.

For my EU readers, don't forget to vote on Sunday if you have not done so already!

Tech Museum 2

I spent a lot of time wandering around the park area with its display of old trains. It is really amazing to see the giant machines and I wondered how the coal/steam engines could generate enough power to move the beast, never mind the carriages behind!

I saw the first electric train. It is small and made by Siemens. They are still making them but much larger now! I shall just show you some of the shots and you can see for yourself.

Tech Museum 1

The highlight of my week was on Tuesday. I met my SPD Oldies and off we drove to the Deutsches Technikmuseum in the centre of the town. I went there many years ago, but this visit I spent more time looking around.

It is really a complex of buildings in a very nice "Museumspark". The main corner of the complex is a very large new building which houses the sailing/boat show.  A USA plane from the 1940s sits on the roof. Strange - why?

It represents a particular technology of its time and the 'Berlin Airlift' of 1948. Berlin was then isolated by Soviet forces and so depended on food and other goods flown in by such planes for nearly a year.

Next to it is the old building through which you enter the complex. There is also a very nice cafe/restaurant there. I took many photos so I shall show you them in this and a second post.

This post includes a photo of the first computer. A huge machine which is now out-powered by a Smart Phone. The first bicycles from about 1760 and wagon used in Welsh mines and ran on wooden rails and one of the model ships on display. 

Künstlerin

Kunst means art in German. An artist is a Künstler if a male and a Künstlerin if female. Maud is a Künstlerin! I posted to my blog about her in September 2012, when she gave an exhibition to which I was invited.

I recently got another invitation. This time it was for an exhibition in her new Atelier = French-German for her new studio. It is in a very nice location and easier for me to reach. I only need to take the Tram 27 and get out one stop before my training centre stop.

It is a converted factory from the late 1800s, and part of a very large industrial complex on the banks of the River Spree. This is the river that flows through Berlin and adds to much of its character. With the decline of industry in the 1990s, the complex re-created itself as a centre for small businesses and retailers.

Maud met me at the entrance to her artistic world and we had a good chat to catch up on news. Nothing new there. She showed me around the exhibition and her new works of art. She let me take a photo of her and then I took one of the area.

It shows a tourist boat heading back to the city centre. Tourists never come to this area. The most some see is from such a boat as they sip coffee or a beer but they don't know the importance of the area in terms of Berlin's industrial history.

Mr Siemen set up his first factory in the complex. A clever move before he moved it all to the north-west of the city and created a new industrial part of Berlin bearing his name to this day.

Gendarmenmarkt

This afternoon I created a new postcard. I used photographs of the Gendarmenmarkt taken by Stefan. I then found information about the area in Wikipedia. I copied and pasted it below. Easier than writing it all again! It is next to Friedrichstrasse, and so is on the tourist map. I'm sure you will see it on your next visit to Berlin.

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The Gendarmenmarkt is a square in Berlin, and the site of the Konzerthaus and the French and German Cathedrals. In the centre of the square stands a monumental statue of Germany's renowned poet Friedrich Schiller.

 The square was created by Johann Arnold Nering at the end of the seventeenth century as the Linden-Markt and reconstructed by Georg Christian Unger in 1773. The Gendarmenmarkt is named after the cuirassier regiment Gens d'Armes, which had their stables at the square until 1773.

During World War II, most of the buildings were badly damaged or destroyed. Today all the buildings have been restored to their former state.

The French Cathedral (in German: Französischer Dom) the older of the two cathedrals, was built by the Huguenot community between 1701 and 1705. The cathedral was modelled after the destroyed Huguenot church in Charenton-Saint-Maurice, France. The tower and porticoes, designed by Carl von Gontard, were added to the building in 1785. The French cathedral has a viewing platform, a restaurant and a Huguenot museum.

 

Schoppen

The 'new German' word for the English word shopping is 'schoppen'.  The traditional word for shopping in German is 'kaufen' or 'einkaufen'.

The German word for dandruff is 'Schuppen'. The difference between them is 'o' or 'u'. A Berliner can easily make one sound like the other! It is not difficult to hear, 'I am going shopping' as 'I am going dandruff'' Got it?

I went dandruffing this afternoon. I had a lesson until midday then went to a local shopping centre. There I checked my bank account and noted I had more money than expected so I went 'dandruffing'

I bought a new 'Maxwell Williams' traditional white teapot, a 'Hebel-Korkenzieher', which you might know as a 'levered corkscrew',  and a 'Sparschäler' which you would probably know is a potato peeler. I also got some special discounts via my shopping credit card so that was the deciding factor.

As I bought them I told myself  they were extra birthday presents I needed. Makes spending money easier:-)

EAP Conference

What does this mean? English for Academic Purposes is the answer. Yesterday I spent the day attending the EAP Conference 2014. It was hosted by Potsdam University on their Griebnitzsee Campus. This is to the east of Potsdam and is easy to reach via S-Bahn.

This year it was organised by Potsdam Uni, Frei University Berlin, Wildenau Fachhochschule and eltabb. The eltabb board asked me to attend and take photographs. I readily agreed. They want to build up a file of photographs to use on the teachers' platform and for a new newsletter on the net.


We, of course, send reduced versions of the photos to each speaker with permission to use them on their web pages, blogs or other social networks. I finished all that this morning before visiting an Oldie in a hospital.

After the welcome and coffee break starting at 9.00 am, teachers could choose from four parallel workshops. These covered eLearning platforms, communicative competence, write your own materials and feedback on student writing. I went to all and took a range of photos.


There was a relaxing lunch break followed by two parallel paper presentations and an afternoon coffee break. I managed to cover six of the eight sessions and take photos. At 3.00 pm we all trooped into a large lecture hall for a panel discussion. Interesting comments by some speakers.


The day ended with a "Korean barbecue". Yes, you have read correctly. It was all new to me and discovered the Korean title came from the mix of sauces and different salads that went with the meat(s). It was easy to digest and very tasty.

I attach a photo of one of the classes. I took fifty photographs so I picked just a few. There is one of most of the organisers. You can never get them all in one place at the same time.

You can see the queue for the BBQ, and finally the 'thing' that ended up on my plate. It was washed down with Berliner Beer!

Cards

After my birthday I continued to get cards of different kinds. Here is an image of all.

I got one from Marita, a long time friend. She loves cats so no surprise when I got this smile version.

At the moment, the football season is coming to an end but the games with the national team are just starting. Methinks it is another example of camera and Photoshop!

Finally, here is a card I made on Friday. It was to celebrate Marcel's, and my big day. Thanks to all of you who sent cards. They show a wide range of taste and humour!

Birthday

I went to the SPD Oldie breakfast on my birthday. The same nice people who cheered and clapped when they heard it was my birthday. Nice to share the morning with them and listen to how they celebrated their birthdays.

After that I taught a lesson, helped Janos to update his blog, did some shopping and came home. Shortly after Marcel arrived and we chatted about his birthday. Then to tram line 27 and relaxed for 25 minutes until we reached Köpenick Town Hall.

We got out and marched all of two minutes to arrive at 'Restauration zur Gardestube', which is just round the corner. It is a traditional pub/restaurant and claims to be the oldest surviving one in Köpenick. The inside was like stepping into the 1920's. I liked it immediately!

We settled onto part of the traditional 'Stammtisch' and noticed that a figure of the 'Hauptmann von Köpenick' was just behind us. Marcel had a drink with him as you can see! The food is very traditional and we ordered different meals with different kinds of beer.

Marcel had a plate of different kinds of meats with veg. I had a spargel, potato and schnitzel meal. Very tasty and both of us were more than happy with the service and food. We agreed that we had made the right decision to come to that restaurant and decided to come again.

We took the tram back to my place where Marcel gave me my birthday present. No, it wasn't another iron, or even an ironing board. It was a box containing 6 wine glasses. He knew that all but one of my finest wine glasses had been broken. A very unexpected and practical present. Marcel, I shall thank you each time I use one of the glasses!

More chats, jokes and lots of laughs followed to end a perfect day. It is difficult to say why it was better, or different from other recent birthdays. I am still working on defining that!

Presents

What would a birthday be without presents and cards? Over breakfast this morning, I opened my cards. A wonderful, almost childlike pleasure to see who had sent what. Here you can see for yourself my collection in three languages.

The one to really make you smile came from Trish and Camal. Only she could have found a card like this. The words inside read: "See, there are other things more frightening than having another birthday." The photo is clearly a result of Photoshop cut 'n paste. Great choice which makes me smile each time I see it.

Waiting for Marcel for this evening we are going to a pub-restaurant next to Köpenick Town Hall. I posted a report and photo earlier. His parents are now landing at Manchester Airport for a weeks holiday in the Lake District. Guests of their daughter who works there. I got very warm greetings from them.

Marcel's birthday is two days before mine. We decided to meet this evening to celebrate together. He got some nice cards, letters and presents. Two came from himself. One was a - try saying this in one breath - Serious Eight Ball black matt 606.1 aluminium frame Shimano Deore 24 Gear bicycle. Phew, made it! Here is a photo so you can all admire it :-)

The second was his first Smart Phone. No htc or iPhone but an Evolveo. I think I can hear you saying, 'A what?' It is apparently a desirable specialist brand. Made by a Czech company in the home town of my favourite beer. Its full title is: "Evolveo Strongphone Q4 Durable Waterproof Quad Core Smartphone".

Ideal for wearing when you are swimming the Atlantic or Pacific, and you can even park your tank/Panzer on it without causing any damage. I bought myself a present. Here you can see it in all its glory. Yes, my new iron!

Its an AEG steam iron. A German brand but guess where it was made? Correct, in the PRC = China! I dropped my older non-steam iron and it went to 'the great ex-iron in the sky graveyard'. Perhaps I should have parked my tank on it! I'm having a great day. Hope you are too!

Mug-Gang

As promised at the end of my last report, here is news of my adventures yesterday. I spent the day on a bicycle with my Muggelsee Gang. I can hear the Silsders asking who they are.

Many years ago   one of my first teaching jobs was at a Training Institute on the banks of the Muggelsee, which is the largest lake here and in the south-east.


There I met an interesting group of people, and it was just before Marcel was born. The core of the group have kept in contact with each other, and even accepted my title for them as 'The Muggelsee Gang'. We usually meet in May for a cycle tour somewhere. We couldn't do this on 1st May for various reasons so we did it yesterday.

Our host and hostess were Waldemar and Nina. They organised the day. It began when we met at Spandau railway station at 10 am. Marcel was also in the gang this time for there was a younger contingent. Uli and Petra's daughters were there with their boyfriends, so he had people of his age to chat to.

The weather played an important role in the day for as we set off the sun began to shine in a clear blue sky :-) We headed westwards through woods, fields, streams, small lakes on a network of cycle paths. We turned south as we approached the old Berlin Wall border and landed at an airport museum area.

I've been there before and posted a story on this blog - you may remember! The airport was in the British sector and now there are lots of planes for visitors to see. Hangers have been turned into museums. Yesterday there was also a gathering of old Porsche cars to add to the displays.

Off again south to Gatow, Kladow, along the River Havel, and some lakes formed by the river. Turned north on the other bank and headed north until we reached the centre of Spandau. Then further noth to Tegeler See/lake where we ended in Waldemar and Nina's Gartenhaus/garden house. A tour of 41 kilometers in all. Not bad!

Relaxed in the garden, drinks of all sorts, then grilling and sitting around a large table to eat and drink our way into the evening. We were joined by a couple from the M-Gang who could not join us for the ride. Darkness fell followed by goodbyes to our hosts before cycling to the railway station. A perfect day and Marcel said how much he had enjoyed it. A compliment indeed!