Jüterbog

I went to Jüterbog yesterday. Let me give my Silsdeners a little more information in case they have forgotten. I have been going to Jüterbog for many years. I used to visit Jürgen and Dieter, have a tasty meal, go to their garden and have a great time.

I reported that Jürgen died early last year and Dieter has been adjusting to life alone ever since. He changed some furniture, paintings and adjusted to life on his own. I like to go to Jüterbog and jump at any chance to get on a train and go there. That's what I did yesterday.

Down to my local S-Bahn station and got out at Berlin Hauptbahnhof = Main Station = claimed to be the biggest in the EU. Go down three levels to get to platform 8. Wait a bit then get onto a train going to Lutherstadt Wittenberg. Jüterbog is the stop before that. Takes about 50 minutes then get into a bus and get out at the Bus Station. Walk 5 minutes to the Market Place next to the Town Hall and you have reached your destination.

Dieter was busy preparing lunch as I knocked on the door. A glass of cold white wine started a delicious meal based on Spargel = Asparagus. It is the season here and I really like it. We caught up on news, including health reports. Well, we are not the youngest anymore! Then onto bicycles and a tour around the town which ended in the garden on the outskirts of the town.

As we relaxed in the garden and sipped a cold beer, I noticed Mr. Bird in a nearby tree. I had to take a photo for I had not seen one wearing glasses before! Interesting things you can find in the south-west of Berlin! Back to the flat for Kaffee und Kuchen then to the bus station to start my journey back home. Everything went well and I arrived home two hours later. Looking forward to my next visit!

Cigars

I got this postcard yesterday. It was from Heike. She is always somewhere on a cruise ship. She loves this way of seeing different parts of the world. She had a birthday recently so I guess this was her birthday present to herself.

On the back there is a large stamp with the words 'from Peru to Cuba', so I guess she did a Caribbean tour including a visit to Cuba. I like the images of the ladies dressed in colourful clothes and smoking large cigars. Actually, I'm not sure they are smoking when I look at the photo again. They seem to be posing with the cigars.

Hope you had a great time Heike and I look forward to our next meeting and hearing all about your trip/cruise. I still think of Fidel Castro when I hear/read the word Cuba. He certainly left his mark on the island.

Die Ausstellung

Die Ausstellung means Exhibition in English. I went to one yesterday. It contained some of my work:-)) The Silsdeners know by now that I go to a community centre each Friday afternoon to join some nice people in what I call my 'Photoshop Gang'. The leader is Stefan who recently became the director of the centre in addition to running our course.

He really likes Italy and goes there whenever possible so I get some nice cards and learn more about the country when we meet. The topic of our exhibition was 'Analog trifft Digital'. It was his concept. We all have old analog cameras from the 1960s, or earlier, so off we set with our old cameras and took photos of the area and other members of the Gang.

We all also have smart new digital cameras so we set off again and took photos using that technology. Stefan loaded the photos into computers at the centre and we had to cut our images and fuse the photos to create new photos. These were put on display yesterday. I really enjoyed the event and look forward to October when we shall meet again and start work on another 'cultural' project.

Imre on Tour

You should know who Imre is by now. For new readers he was one of my fist students at the British Council School in Berlin and comes originally from Hungary. We have maintained contact over many years and changes. We met for a bicycle tour last Monday, which was a public holiday and arrived with lots of sunshine, blue sky and 25°C.

Half of Berlin was outdoors enjoying the weather, picnics, grilling and being with family and friends. Many of them were at Müggelsee. It is the largest lake in Berlin and lies to the south-east of the centre. It has lots of cycle tracks and tracks for walking groups. It is one of my favourite areas and I have posted about it before.

I met Imre at my local S-Bahn station. We set off for a village/suburb of Berlin called Friedrichshagen. There is a long street called Bölschestraße which leads south to the northern shores of the lake. I really like this street for its range of shops and architecture. Half way down there is a square opposite the church and in it is a statue of Frederick the Great. He was actually small but the word Great does not refer to his size. Here you can see Imre posing with him.

We arrived at the lake and saw lots of people relaxing, drinking beer and eating roast sausages. Nothing new there! Imre joined in and started to eat food he had brought with him. I walked around for it was too early and I wanted to enjoy a meal in a restaurant I knew on the south shore of the lake.

We went into the tunnel and crossed to the south side, then onto the bikes. We found a table at the restaurant I planned to visit and Imre watched me eat a tasty traditional lunch washed down with a local beer. Mmmmh...tasty! Imre then walked to the shore as a ferry arrived and so I took this shot of him posing with the ferry!

And off again on the bikes. In the next photo you can see he has a very good and new bike. He has three bikes in total but this is his favourite for a days tour. We later arrived at another small lake and saw lots of people relaxing, sleeping on the beach and just soaking up the sun. You can see this in the photo.

We cycled along the bank of a river and arrived at a small bridge. We watched lots of boats sailing under us before we set off again. The small roads took us through wonderful green areas with house and villas. I have no idea what such a house/villa would cost but I think you would need to have won the jackpot to buy such a property. In this photo you can see part of such  a house with garden and lots of water. I wonder where they keep their boat/s?  Further pedal pushing and we arrived back at the S-Bahn station and train to take us to where we started. A very memorable day and all possible because of the weather. 

Lost and Found

In my last post I told you I left home to meet Johanna then go to 'Putta's' house. I didn't tell you that I lost my mobile phone on the way to meet Johanna. I put the phone in a section of my rucksack which does not have a zip fastener. As I hit a bumpy part of the road near to where I live I heard something whiz past me and hit the road.

It was my mobile! I searched under parked cars but with no success. I cycled back home and found my reserve mobile and so set off again and met Johanna later than planned. Later that day I called lost-mobile from new-mobile and got a recorded voice saying they would call me when lost-mobile was switched on. Hope you are following this story! 

And that is what happened. A gentleman found my mobile and turned it on. We arranged to meet yesterday (Tuesday) at 2.00 pm. He and his family are moving into a flat two streets away from where I live. Nice to get my phone back and have a chat with him.

He is an actor, comedian, dancer in satire shows, comedy and theatre. He goes by the name of Elias Elastisch and you can find his homepage using that name. Very pleased to meet him and he spoke very good English with me. I noted that he will be at the Edinburgh Fringe for most of August this year. Go to his show if you are there.

Mahlsdorf

I went to the southern part of Mahlsdorf yesterday. Lots of greenery, nice houses and flowers. It is in the east of the city. I met Johanna and we began the cycle ride to our destination. That was to have breakfast with four other people at a house owned by a lady we call 'Putta'.

The weather was great with lots of sunshine, 25°C and a light wind. I had never been to the house before but my guide knew the way. I cycled behind her as she guided me to the house. Very nice indeed as you can see from the photo.

It has large gardens front and back with lots of trees, bushes and flowers. We had a long lazy holiday breakfast in the dining room then retired to the relaxing area/seats in the rear garden. Lots of talk about many topics and then we sipped a glass or two of cool, refreshing sekt.

I then cycled to a(n) S-Bahn line which took me near to Alt Landesberg. Another cycle ride before I arrived at Peter and Andre's house. They were waiting for me in the garden. We had Kaffee und Kuchen and caught up on news. Peter is going to Moscow soon on a business trip and Andre will join him later for a couple of tourist days. They were busy with visa applications before I arrived.

And so ended a very memorable Whitsun Sunday / Pfingstsonntag. Now to prepare for a cycle ride around Muggelsee with Imre! I wonder if he will find anymore signs for 'Box To Go'?

Die Gedenkveranstaltung

This word means 'commemoration ceremony' in English. I went to one on Wednesday afternoon. An interesting experience. It was organised by the local council and museum. Members of the public were welcome to attend the ceremony. I got an invitation via my contacts and work for Lichtenberg Museum. The local Mayor was also there.

The event was to commemorate the life, and death of Artur Becker exactly 80 years ago, and add his name to the memorial list. All were local communists or jews or both in the 1920s/30s. We met at the address where Artur Becker lived. In 1930-33, he was the youngest member of the German Parliament for the KPD = Communist Party Germany, and in 1931-32 Chairperson of the Young Communists.

He went into hiding from 1933, sure you don't need me to say why, and surfaced in Spain in 1937 as a member of the International Brigade and fought in the Civil War against Franco's Fascist Army. He was captured and imprisoned. He is believed to have died on 16 May 1938 after being shot in a prison at Burgos.  Here is a photo of part of the ceremony and some flowers from me.

Cycle East

Yesterday I met Imre for a day of cycling to the east. I have always liked this area. If you keep going you will get to the  River Odor and the Polish border. A nice area and worth a visit when in Berlin. We had good weather with 25°C and sunshine. We had an easterly wind so that slowed us down a little.

It was also Mothers' Day yesterday so we saw lots of families enjoying the weather and recreation facilities. The bicycle sections in the S-Bahn trains were full but we managed to get a place and got out at Strausberg Mitte. Again, one of my favourite places to visit. We hit the road and headed east. Of course Imre nearly fell off his bike with laughing at the sign 'Box To Go' which I mentioned earlier.

We saw a huge pile of metal pipes in a field. They are for part of a new pipeline to take gas from Russia to Germany. Off again until we got to a restaurant we like. It is half way to our destination. This time it was full of 'Oldies' and/or families with Oldies! They had arrived by car and we noted how many of the Oldies had walking problems.

We managed to get a table under a tree rather than inside. Here you can see the place and Imre with his back to the camera. I ordered fish, spargel and boiled potatoes washed down with a glass of Radeberger Pilsner beer. It is my favourite! We hit the road again and cycle through a wonderful landscape. In this photo you can see part of it.

We returned to Strausberg and relaxed in a cafe I always visit when I am in the town. Kaffee und Kuchen were enjoyed before the final leg to the local train station. Back to Berlin where we went our separate ways. A really enjoyable time and I felt much better from just enjoying the fields and trees of the countryside to the east of Berlin.

DVD and Crisps

I got a call from Bro1 last week. He said we had not met for a number of weeks and would like to visit with Bro2. We agreed late Friday morning. They arrived on time - progress at integration! It was nice to see them again and this time with new short haircuts. They looked well.

We started with tea and talk. I got news of The Family including some I didn't want to hear. Their mother was taken to hospital with chest pains and breathing problems - again. She has since been re-admitted and is in hospital as I write these words. Get well soon Mutti!

The Boys asked to see a DVD. Earlier they had selected about 15 to see. This visit they selected 'Black Hawk Down' and settled down to watch it in surround sound. They could hear the helicopters before they could see them and the bullets as well. They like that about my system. Remember that they do not have TV or internet connection where they live.

Of course they were hungry. As they hugged cushions and watched the film they munched their way through crisps, cheese sandwiches, apples, bananas. slices of apple cake and then more crisps. Finally I heard the words, 'I'm full now.'  I got on with some computer work and just left them to it.

And time for them to return home. I had earlier been given clothes for their sister and mother so I packed them into plastic bags. That morning more clothes had arrived from Holger and Gabi so I packed them. I had recently been given a winter coat. It fitted Bro1 perfectly so I added that.. Here you can see a photo of them starting for home with the bags. Thanks to all who donated.

Humour

Got a late birthday card yesterday. It came from Ian and Birgit in Ozland. When I opened the envelope I just burst out laughing and suspected the card was chosen by Ian.

 That is exactly his style of humour. I had visitors yesterday and they all liked the card. More about them in a later post.

I have just checked my bicycle and pumped up the tyres. I am meeting Imre in a short time. The weather is sunny with 25°C forecast for the day so Imre called and suggested a bike ride. We shall take the S-Bahn to Strausberg then cycle to Buckow which is to the east of Berlin.

We did the same trip last year and I posted  a report to this blog with photos - one was of Imre staring in disbelief at a restaurant sign saying 'Box To Go'.

 Have a nice Sunday no matter where you are.

Special Day

Last Tuesday was a special day for me. Guess why? I woke as normal and got ready to go to the AWO to meet Maria. After that, the Boss asked me to come into her office for a light late breakfast with her and the leader of the Vietnamese group. Very nice!

At midday I met my Tuesday Gang to be greeted by handshakes, hugs and kisses plus sekt and other presents. Here is a photo of us. I had a very relaxed session with them and lots of interesting discussions about birthdays and special ones they remember and why. The seemed to enjoy going down memory lane!

Then back home and over the road to meet an old very dear friend. Yes, a meeting with Marita. Lots of talking over glasses of Sekt. Very relaxing and the time went by quickly until I noted that I had to quickly go to my next meeting. That was with members of my Kowalke Gang. I have talked about them before. See the photo.

I was late but our hostess, Martina, held back the Spargel dish until I arrived. Lots of hugs and kisses and happy greetings before we settled down to a very tasty light meal. In the Berlin-Brandenburg area it is now Spargel time and I really like this vegetable. There are now special Spargel dishes in all restaurants in the area.

What a relaxed time as we munched on the dishes, sipped something nice and talked and talked! I returned home late and added flowers to those given to me earlier in the day. See just one bunch in the photo. I had earlier opened my mail/cards and put them onto the top of a cupboard. See the photo.

 I relaxed in an armchair and watched the clock tick towards midnight as I sipped the last cold glass of sekt and thought about all the wonderful things that had happened on a special day! Thanks to all for cards, presents and best wishes :-))

Surprise Visitors

What a great weeks so far! It started with an e-mail from Marcel last weekend. He said he wanted to visit on Monday and go to a restaurant with me before he left Berlin on Wednesday. That is today and as I write he is probably asleep in the back of his parents car as they head home to Hungary.

I agreed and told him to come at/after 6.15 pm on Monday. At 6.30 the bell rang. I opened the door and he came in looking very well and healthy. We greeted each other then I told him to close the door. He smiled and said no. Just then two people came through the door with big smiles and greetings. It was his parents.

I had no idea they were in Berlin. They arrived on Saturday to help Marcel pack his things. He has finished his BSc. studies and so closing down in Berlin. He will stay a week in Hungary and visit friends and his grandparents at Lake Balaton. What happy memories I have of my time with them there. A week later he will fly to Chile for a year.

I think in modern academic language it is called a 'Gap Year'. He has got a scholarship to learn Spanish there and just live in the land with the people. I think it is a great idea and opportunity for him. A year later he will return to Germany and start studying for his MSc. in mathematics and physics. Phew, but is that a subject! We agreed to meet on skype once a month and exchange news.

His parents brought me some presents and then we left for a local German restaurant. It was their wish for they had been there before and enjoyed the food and service. We settled into the restaurant and so started an evening of chatting in 3 languages, lots of jokes and smiles, good food and drinks.
Sadly all nice things come to an end and so I walked with them to their car and we said our goodbyes. What a wonderful evening for I had no idea of what was to come. Thanks to each of you for such a wonderful surprise visit.

May Day 2018

Yesterday was a public holiday and it did not rain in our area. Unfortunately the Brexiters could not celebrate because Mrs Thatcher and her Conservative Party stopped 1st May as a public holiday many years ago. Possibly the first sign of 'Brexit' mentality and the long history of class division.



Johanna and I met my Muggelsee Gang for a bicycle ride starting in Bad Freienwalde. This is a town north east of Berlin and not far from the River Oder and Polish Border. We met at station Lichtenberg in the east of Berlin and took a regional train to Eberswalde. Then a change of train for the shorter journey to Bad Freienwalde. Get your maps out to follow the tour and learn something about this interesting corner of Germany.

We started the tour by cycling to a 'Skisprungschanze' = Ski Jump. I had no ideas there was such a thing there. We then cycled south through the woods until we got to a lake called 'Baasee' There we stopped for a picnic. Very tasty! A nice, big, old dog smiled at all of us from under the picnic table but did not notice that he was wearing a collar saying 'Do NOT feed me' written in German! We followed the command!

Off again to the east and a river  that feeds into the Oder behind high protective banks. There, some of the Gang had a doze on the grass while others sampled something in small bottles. Yes, it was us 'Lads' sampling again! From there we cycled north to stop at the park and Schloss Altranft.  Here is a photo of us relaxing there.







Now for a little history lesson. The first record of a 'noble' manor house there was in 1375 in which the family von Pfuel lived. In 1664 it was sold to Wolf von Bomsdorf who had it re-built in the Barock style. It was sold to the von Marschall family in 1739. They sold it to Graf von Hake in 1820 whose family lived there until 1916.  Then it was sold to the Wertheimer family with a background in trade and business. No 'von' title, just money!  In February 1945 it was taken over by the Soviet Red Army. In 1949 it became the property of Land Brandenburg and used as a school and library. It became a museum in 1992 and in now a protected building.  Well worth a visit the next time you are in the area.

Having rested and enjoyed the Schloss and garden we set off on the short cycle ride back to the station where we started and then two trains back to Berlin. We covered 34 Km on that tour which is not bad. We were all able to get home just in time to watch Bayern play Real Madrid. Although the score was 2:2, Bayern lost on goal average - but they played very well!