New Flights

This morning I went to my local travel agent. In a short time he found flights via KLM to Amsterdam then to Leeds/Bradford Airport. I agreed and made the booking. I am flying to the UK on Tuesday 12th July and return on Thursday 4th August.

I plan further travel on my return but more of that later. I have changed my internal travel plans in the UK by cutting out travel to the south. I shall focus on the north and midlands. Well, it is the heart of pork pie and fish 'n chips culture!!

Everyone in Berlin thinks I am in Brexitland so it is very quiet. I plan a few bicycle trips in the next days. Also nice to just wander around the countryside outside Berlin. Flat and very green. Local restaurants and pubs are also interesting for the range of local traditional foods they offer as well as architecture and decoration.

I have had a number of 'mealy-mouthed' apologies from easyJet, but they still have not paid the promised refund. Do I really have to go to court about this, or is it just a game of bluff to see who gives up first?

Flight Cancellation

First it was 'Brexit' and now easyJet can't get a large piece of metal to move from A to B!
Yes, the flight was cancelled. Chaos at the easyJet desk with only one stressed women trying to deal with a few hundred tired and angry people. I have just completed the online refund form. Let's see if they pay.   Meanwhile, I shall work out what to do next. Watch this space!

Big and Little

Just had a visit from Big Bro A1 and his Little Bro A2. I was very tempted to write 'littlester' after recently commenting on the declining language ability of Native Speakers! I was in contact with their father recently about a meeting before I leave. I had presents for them. He sent the 'Boys' on their bikes.

This time they spoke mainly German with me. They really are improving. The background is that I recently got a present of clothes and shoes for Mother and a sheep for the daughter. Yes, a sheep! The latter was a present from Jutta. It is actually a rucksack and she filled it with sweets. I wanted to give all to them in person but both are suffering from summer colds.

I also bought a book about Maths. The words are written in German but most of it is formula. A1 scanned through it and said he knew the formulas. Little Bro agreed to let Big Bro have the book first. I gave them some gap-fill activities in English and they merrily sat there sipping orange juice and doing the exercises.

They asked me about my trip to the UK and wanted to see a UK Passport and some English money. I obliged and they happily read through all the pages and then asked me who the women was on the 20 pound note. They had never heard of Liz II. I was pleased about that!

They said they wanted to go with me to the UK. I said we would do that in the future. I'm not sure how far we shall get with that given the Brexit mood on the island. Anyway, they left happy, smiling and thinking of the cakes I had given them to eat when they got home.

Only a few hours to go before I make my way to the airport. An earlier flight would have been better, but then there wasn't one. Looking forward to seeing Pam when I arrive. More later.

In Brexitland

Dear Blog Readers,

Tomorrow I am flying to Liverpool to visit family and friends in Brexitland. I hope to update my blog while there. I am taking my aged macBook for the task. I have also added a Photoshop programme for a Mac. Let's see how it works out. 

I plan a series of raids on the Pork Pie shop in Skipton and the Fish 'n Chip shops in Silsden - here is a photo of my birthplace. Should return at least 10 kilo heavier :-)) 

I shall be back in Berlin from 1st August before leaving for a long weekend in Bremen. Have a wonderful July wherever you choose to go.

July 2016 Things

Just got back from lunch with Imre, Yes, he is back in town and planning a holiday in Hungary to see family and friends. We've agree to meet early August to catch up on news. We ate at/in his favourite Indian restaurant and were greeted by the owner. He is a Punjabi Sikh and happy that I have been to Punjab and visited the Golden Temple at Amritsar a number of times.

On reaching home I put on the TV to see Ireland play France. The latter won 2:1 but it was a good game. While watching that with one eye, I wrote e-mails, made a number of calls to the UK, selected which address cards to take among other things. I think it is called 'multi-tasking' in modern parlance!

All quiet at the moment. Germany is closing down for a couple of hours. Why? Need you ask? The German National Football Team will be playing in half an hour. Of course Germany will win :-)) I don't multi-task' when they play but after I shall continue the work of packing for my flight to Brexitland tomorrow. That is why I am writing this post earlier than usual.
UPDATE: Germany 3 - Slovakia 0

Who has a birthday in July? Laura Bolton starts the month with her 20th on the 1st July and not far away from Silsden. Jutta will be 67 on the 2nd in Berlin and will celebrate with Gerald and friends. On the 3rd, Jan and Arancha will celebrate their first wedding anniversary - what a weekend that was! My Acer laptop will be 5 on the 6th and is now showing signs of age! On the 24th you can all break out bottles of Champagne to celebrate with me. Yes, exactly 4 years since I got German citizenship. I saw the rise of the Brexit mentality very early! Adele ends the month with her birthday on the 26th and not far from Silsden. I wonder if I shall celebrate it with her and family.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to each and all no matter where you are. Prost!!

Die Ausstellung

This afternoon I went to the Photoshop Gang meeting led by Stefan. This time there was a difference. It was our Ausstellung = exhibition. Yes, the public can now look at our work for the next couple of months.

Our theme was 'Berlin from above' which we then played around and made changes using Photoshop technology. Stefan had printed out postcards of our work for the public to take home and use. He also added them to a visual programme to show on TV which visitors could see when they enter the building.

We met up and started the event with a glass or two of sekt, then guests wandered around the exhibition looking at our work. Later we relaxed in the meeting room to enjoy a light meal. This was followed by readings of poems and texts.

This started with the theme of Berlin from above, which was our theme. This was then developed into other aspects of Berlin.words. Then I had to leave to meet Daniel for an English session.

I arrived to find him at my door and dressed in appropriate summer clothes. Yes, summer has finally arrived in Berlin. Today was the third day of temperatures hovering around 34°C. Blue sky with no clouds and I love it! I can sweat my way through weeks of such weather. It can't get too hot for me for when it is hot I think of minus temperatures in winter.

Later I made a number of telephone calls about my future visit to the UK. I think I shall hear a lot about the Brexit decision to leave the EU when I am in the UK. It was no surprise. For a couple of months I have told German friends that the result would be 53% to leave. I was almost correct in my forecast. How could I have been so correct? The answer is that I know my Brits!

Baroque Potsdam

The history of Germany goes back to lots of people from the north of Europe wandering about and settling in areas. They were not called Germans until 1871, when Germany was created. The capital then moved to Berlin from Potsdam. It is a small city south-west of Berlin. It has a really interesting central area with parks and palaces. Put it on your list of places to visit.

Yesterday I met Mathias and Sylvana, jumped into their car and was driven to the centre of Potsdam. There we found a place for a cool drink or coffee. It was a warm day and ideal for a concert. We met Sylvana's parents who had organised the event before wandering into a nearby area called 'Hollandische Viertal' = Holland Quarter.

We later found a restaurant where I enjoyed a light meal and cool beer. Off then to Palais Lichtenau for a concert including wine tasting. What a great combination! There were about 100 guests and appropriately dressed for the occasion, as I was. There was none under the age of 50, but I noted the interesting fashions and styles of the elderly ladies. Very nice.

All the wine we tasted was from Burgand in France. We started with a light dry wine then moved into the concert hall. You could take a glass into the concert and sip it as you enjoyed the music. We listened to music from Pierre Vachon (1738 - 1803) and Francois-Joseph Gossec (1734 - 1829) I could have listened all day. Very well played by a quartet of young players - three of whom were women.

After the concert we sipped a Chardonnay from Burgund and I liked that better than the others on offer. We were offered more wines, including a red which I found rather tasteless, with different cheeses and slices of baguette, when we moved outside and sat in the garden.

A perfect combination of music, wines and cheeses. I could go to such a concert every day :-))

Another Blast

Another 'Blast from the Past' surfaced this week. It was Dennis. We hadn't met for 8 years. He took his family from Prague to the north of California, where he had got a good job. I had no address or telephone number. Only an e-mail address which he changed. End of contact.

He decided to take the family to his in-laws in Prague for a holiday and then spend a few days in Berlin looking up old contacts. He located me via Marita who passed on a message he had left in her postbox. We met last Thursday evening, went to my favourite Italian restaurant, watched the German - Poland football match and caught up on news.

We arranged to meet yesterday evening. I cooked a meal based on fish and Dennis enjoyed a cool Berliner Pilsner before the meal, as you can see from the photo. Lots more talking and I got all his current contact details. He also invited me to stay at his family house in California. I shall certainly give that offer a lot of thought!

Now I am going to put on appropriate clothes to attend a Baroque Music concert with wine tasting. Meeting friends, then off to Potsdam for the event.  Hope you have a pleasant Sunday.

My Home is a Villa

There is a saying in British English as follows: "My Home is my Castle". This is not appropriate for Marcel. He can say, "My Home is my Villa", which is true. We met last Wednesday at 3:30 pm at the U-Bahn station near his university main building. He took me to another complex of buildings across the road from the main one.

At the top we emerged into a dining room for students, staff and visitors. I enjoyed a late lunch of fish, spinach, and white sauce with onions and spices. Very tasty and not expensive. Must go there again! Marcel had just finished lessons hence the late lunch.

I really enjoyed the view and took some photos to add to my collection of 'Berlin from above'. Talking of which, some of my work on this theme will go on exhibition next Friday. Other works by my Photoshop Gang will be on display.

After taking a few shots we left for Marcel's abode. I had not been there before although he moved last January. We took the bus to Zehlendorf. This is in the south-west part of Berlin heading towards Potsdam. From my place it can take from 60 to 90 minutes to get there. It is one of the 'better' Berlin suburbs. Nice old buildings, shops, trees and gardens along the roads. I thought I had arrived in a village!

Here is a shot of his home. Yes, it is a villa and built for a wealthy family many years ago. It now houses 9 students. Each has a room and there is a library, meeting room, guest room, kitchens and a nice garden to relax in. Marcel has a big attic room. You can see the front windows of his room in the photo - top right nearly hidden by leaves.

Many students are 'sporty' and this has influenced Marcel. He does more sports now and has even taken up fencing!   I look forward to my next visit when I hope there will not be a succession of storms!

Dinglish present

Last Monday I met my 'English-Gang-1' for the last time. They are traveling to many countries for holidays and some to see family in the US and Canada. I am also looking forward to a long summer break and we plan to start lessons again in the first week of September.

They have built up very close relationships to each other since we started last September and they asked for a party. I agreed. What an atmosphere. Lots of jokes, laughter and happy faces, There were also nice things to eat and drink!

As we cleared up to go home, one of them gave a little speech thanking me for my work and handed me a present. Their thanks were on the Irish flag and there were chocolates from the Guinness company. I didn't know they made chocs! One of the group was recently in Ireland. The main present was a duvet cover and pillow case displaying a fine example of Dinglish.

It is a word for word translation from German and like many other Dinglish sentences, it has no sense in English! Here you can see how it looks on my bed. Thanks to all and I look forward to sleeping in the "yellow from the egg"!

Carpet Muscles

I told you earlier that I had bought two carpets. After that all I had to do was organise 'muscle power'. Marcel was on the list but I had to wait until he had a free day and that was last Sunday. He came with Kyrill, a fellow student and ex-flat mate. I organised Daniel.

Starting time was 2.00pm and I spent the morning moving all the clothes, books and other things out of the bedroom. Many things landed on the balcony. After 'liquid refreshment' the muscles got to work. As you may know from experience it takes time to lay a carpet correctly and cut the edges.

Kyrill turned out to be an expert at such things, particularly cutting the edges. As two picked up furniture another rolled the carpet under and away we went. After the bedroom there was another break for refreshments and then into the living room.

This was harder because of the furniture and lots of cables and wires, but they managed it. By 7.00 pm all was completed and it was time to feed the muscles. We went to my local Italian restaurant and they were my guests. They tucked in with great gusto and put energy back into their muscles. Lots of interesting conversation as well.

Collectively they speak six languages so I asked  why they had only spoken English all the time. Daniel replied quickly that they took the opportunity to practice the language with a native speaker. A logical answer.

 Now I am getting ready to meet Marcel at his uni then see his 'new' student room. He moved in last January but I haven't seen it yet. I wonder what the carpet looks like :-))

D-R Fest

Last weekend there was the annual German-Russian Festival in the racecourse area in the south of Karlshorst. Thousands of people attend the many festivities and events. I posted about it last year when I went there. I like the mixture of languages, food, drinks, events, shows and entertainment.

Daniel came for his usual English lesson and after we went to the first night of the Festival. It was good to have someone with me who understands Russian culture and speaks the language. I wanted to eat 'typical' Russian food and there were lots of offers.

We found one and I ordered a number of dishes with a glass of beer. Daniel drank only water. He ate the food but said it was not 'pure' Russian. It had been changed for Berlin taste. I have the same problem when I want to eat in an Indian restaurant. All I get is 'India-meets-Berlin-dishes-and-tastes'.

We went all over the area and saw all the things on offer. This included Daniel posing with a man who I think was dressed as a Cossack. Correct me someone if I am wrong. A really relaxed and pleasant evening. There is nothing to compare to it in, or anywhere around, Silsden!

Blast from the Past

A couple of Fridays ago I went to the SPD Landesparteitag. It means the SPD delegates representing all members in the State of Berlin. Berlin is both a state and a city, as I am sure you know. I was a guest and settled down into a seat at the back. I was alone, but not for long.

Just before the welcome speech someone dropped into a seat near me. I turned. The 'dropper' turned. We stared at each other then the 'dropper' said he could not believe it was me. It was Imre. I used to teach him at the British Council School. We lost contact about ten years ago. He got a job in the south so spent less time in Berlin, He also found new friends who I didn't like.

He moved to Berlin from Hungary 42 years ago, worked in the printing industry, married a local lady and had twin sons. The marriage didn't last but he maintained contact and good relations to his sons. He is now a very happy grandfather. He joined the SPD on the collapse of the DDR and has been an active local member ever since.

He actually said, in English,"What the hell are you doing here?" then burst out laughing. We caught up on news during a conference break. Later in the S-Bahn we agreed to meet again and exchanged telephone numbers. We met on Monday at the S-Bahn station near to where he lives. We went to his favourite Indian restaurant for lunch and caught up on more news.

I really enjoyed the meeting. He was always crazy about US/England pop music of the 1970s/80s and said he had updated and expanded his collection. He has added a few pounds, hair gone grey and has a long pony tail. A 1970s music person happily ageing and holding to all his values.

Pure fun

Last Saturday I cycled to the refugee home to meet my family and a nice German couple who also support them. The reason was to celebrate 'Tag der Offenen Tür'. This translates as an 'Open Day'. It means that the people who live there could meet local people and celebrate together.

The programme started at 10:00 am with music from Middle Eastern countries. I shall not say which ones. Lots of refugees instantly formed circles and started to dance and smile! How nice to see them smile and move to the music. Even my family joined in the dancing and singing.

As I entered the complex I was greeted by the Mayor of Lichtenberg. This is the area in which I live. Many other local politicians were there as well as leaders of local community organisations. The programme continued with songs for children, Arab traditional dances, music from Africa, local German bands, more dancing and all with lots of things to drink and eat from a large grill area. It was clearly a successful day.

I met the family again on Sunday afternoon for a cycle ride in the local park. This time it was only the 'lads'. The sons stopped at their favourite play area and just enjoyed movement on the apparatus. Here you can see them. All problems forgotten as they just enjoyed being boys, like any others.

Later they had ice cream before we cycled further around the park. At the end I said we had to stop. It was warm and I needed a rest with a cool beer. I enjoyed that as they drank orange juice and water. The eldest son asked about beer and how it tasted. I answered and then said to his father that it was only a question of time before he drank his first beer with other boys his age. His father said he knew that.

We jumped back onto the bikes and returned to the refugee home in time for supper. The boys were hungry. No surprise there! A very pleasant weekend, but I was reminded again of how difficult it is for the family to live in a small room and the problems to find an appropriate flat.

Alex Bubbles

Alex is often used in Berlin to refer to Alexander Platz. It is one of the top tourist sites. It's name goes back to Czar/Tsar Alexander of Russia, wars against Napoleon, and eventual victory in which the Russian army played an important part. I'm sure you were told all about this in your school history lessons.

Last Friday afternoon I went to my Photoshop Gang meeting to find most on holiday or ill. Reduced to two plus Stefan we finished off the coffee and cakes then went to the computers. We are having an exhibition of our works soon so we got more information about that before booting the computers.

Our topic is 'Berlin from Above' and we still had some photos waiting for changes. I selected a shot of Alex Platz and opened a photo change programme called PhotoImpact. We still have a lot to learn about how to use it. I decided to play around with bubbles again. I took 30 minutes to look at other options before deciding on bubbles.

I added a few and liked the idea of more bubbles so I produced another one. I enjoyed playing around with this image of central Berlin. I really have to learn more about this programme.

I've got 2

Yes, I have two of them! I'm talking about new carpets - what else?  They were delivered by two muscular gents: They climbed the stairs with a carpet on a shoulder as if it were a 1 kilo bag of potatoes. Amazing! My appreciation was shown by a donation for a beer when work was over. They were happy with my choice.

I planned to buy new carpets at the start of January this year. I now do not have a car and so am dependent on others to get me to the large furniture stores on the edges of Berlin. Promises given but not kept so Mathias stepped into the breach and offered to take me to a store near to where he lives.

We met this morning at 10.00 and went to the store. I got very good service from a small and 'roundish' salesman who liked to practice saying hello and goodbye in English. At least he remembered something from his schooldays :-))

Now I am organising the time and place to get young men with muscles, such as Marcel and Daniel, to do the hard work of moving furniture and placing the carpets on the floor. I shall direct operations from the sidelines.