A Book

I bought a book today, after my movement and stretching course led by Kerstin. Last Wednesday afternoon I attended a meeting of the local museum support group. An ex-mayor was also present and recommended we all read a new book about the history of Karlshorst. He was a history teacher and has written a book about the SPD in Karlshorst. I decided to follow his advice.

Here you can see the title page. I would translate the words as, 'Noble Suburb and Site of History'. In the top right you can see the entrance to a large building. This was to host a very important event and one which put Karlshorst into world history.

Karlshorst translates as 'Karl's Nest' and is in the south of the borough of Lichtenberg in the east of Berlin. It was founded in 1895 as 'Carlshorst'. It was planned to be the garden town of Lichtenberg for only 500 families. It now has a population of 22 thousand! In 1901, a station was completed for the S-Bahn and trains from Berlin to Breslau (now Wroclaw in the west of Poland). It then developed as an affluent residential area.

In the mid-1930s, a large complex was built to train officers for the Wehrmacht. In the south of the complex an Officer's Mess was built with sleeping and dining facilities. Marshal Georgy Zhukov established his HQ there in April 1945. In the evening of 8th May 1945, senior military officers from different countries met there, including three representing the German military. They signed a document containing the unconditional surrender of German forces, which officially ended WWII in Europe. Here you can see the hall where the signing took place.

From 1945 to 1949, the buildings served as the HQ of the Soviet Military Administration in Germany. Russian soldiers left Karlshorst in 1994. It is now the home of the German-Russian Museum. Entrance is free! Pay a visit the next time you are in Berlin. It is worth it.

Birthday Boy

So, who had a birthday nearly two weeks ago? Okay, I'll make it easier for you. It was a 'he' and he was all of 16 on that day. I think some of you have got it right. It was Bro2 from my Family. He called earlier and wanted to visit just after his birthday. We agreed a day/time then he had something at school so we agreed another day and time - and then another one!

We finally met two days ago. He arrived with Bro1. Really nice to see them again after nearly 4 weeks. After our greetings, I gave Birthday Boy a card with a present inside. He was both surprised and very happy. I think you can see this in the photo. You may also notice that his moustache is clear to see.

Bro1 now has a full beard. Very nice and it suits him. Bro2 complained that he couldn't grow a beard but proudly showed me 4 hairs growing under his lower lip. I  told him to leave them alone and be patient. The beard just needs a bit more time. He smiled at hearing the words he wanted to hear :-)

I put food onto the table in front of the TV and they settled down to an evening of eating and watching a James Bond film on DVD. I noticed they chewed more and harder in the chase and fighting scenes! And so the evening went by and it was time for them to leave. A really pleasant time with lots of smiles, laughs and jokes. Looking forward to their next visit. I wonder what Bro2 will buy with the present I gave him?

Grillen

I live opposite a new(ish) block of flats also owned by the housing association. There is a section designed for meetings, discussions and parties. Here is a view from the back of the meeting room into the back of the new complex. I went there last Friday to enjoy 'grillen' at a Grill Party.

Grillen is as much a part of German culture as beer and  'die Bratwurst' = grilled sausage. This is traditionally eaten with a bread roll and mustard = Senf. I like my Bratwurst well grilled. Here you can see our Hausmeister = caretaker, getting the Wurst nice and brown.

I met a number of neighbours and chatted with them as I chewed away on my Wurst. There was a range of soft drinks available but most people drank hot 'Glühwein' = mulled wine. This is also a traditional  drink, particularly over the Christmas period. If you get the chance, try it!

Beerdigung

Die Beerdigung means a funeral in English. I went to one this morning. It was for Andreas who died nearly a month ago. He was only 50 and died peacefully in his sleep. I was told his heart just stopped. Still a shock for someone so relatively young.

I got to know him via the local SPD. He joined when he was 18 and had clear opinions, even when other members were not too happy with his views! He was very much his own person. He also owned a local bar-restaurant for many years. He recently sold it and moved into a nice large flat with his wife.

I think I told you that I met her recently and produced a photo of Andreas in a frame. This was on show this morning at his funeral service. I had to smile as I saw many people take photos of it surrounded by flowers. The chapel was full and the speech about his life was interesting. There was not a religious service for he was an atheist.

We shall miss you Andreas at future meetings and waiting to hear your views. It was a pleasure to know you and talk to you.

Spoken Rubbish

Time to cringe again. Here are a few examples taken from BBC Radio 4 news reports. Relax, sip something nice as you read the rubbish and maybe it will make you smile :-)

People can’t cook food for their table/ a number of hugely positive things/  we need a something in place/ to grow an economy/ to grow a brand/

 a backstory/ a net positive for people/ people can be disappeared/ since I done it/ when you originated this plan/ 

we are enforcing against that/ there is properly public interest/ joined up government thinking/ he is never actually engaging on this issue/ the rocket suffered an issue with a booster/

 a daily drift feed/ his injuries were un-survivable/ you’ve got to grow the pie first/ I think we’ll know an answer/ I’m not gonna blame fault/ it’s a deeply important step.

Good News

I have some good news. Shirley and family in Florida are okay and safe. Both Jan and I had contacted her for we were worried about the arrival of  hurricane 'Michael'. She was able to e-mail that they had survived the worst, but there was a lot of damage in the areas hit be the storm. Phew! - what a relief to read her words. For us the most important thing was that they were all safe. Take care of yourself Shirley and family and thanks for the quick and informative reply.

After my usual two appointments at the AWO yesterday morning I met my SPD Oldies. We then went to the Catholic High School in the district where I live. It was for an organised tour of the building. It is a listed building due to its architecture. I found it very interesting to listen to the concepts about building styles in the 1920s expressed in its architecture.

It started life as a hospital surrounded by trees and parkland. It continued as a hospital over the years until 1991 when it became a High School. It is mainly financed by the Berlin government and is one of three specialist educational centres. It specialises in training young people to work in all branches of health care. Good work and long may it continue.

That evening I relaxed in front of my TV to watch Germany play France at football. We (that means most of Germany) were hoping for a better show than the recent defeat against The Netherlands. We were disappointed. Germany lost 2:1. Percy was watching the game with me through his big glasses. When the final goal was scored he fainted with shock and he fell onto his glasses as you can see in the photo. Poor Percy - but at least his glasses are not broken, which is good news :-))

Happy Family

Monday was a bonus day for me. I had to rush to Alexander Platz for an appointment in the morning, then the S-Bahn to Savignyplatz, which is in the centre-west of the city. I arrived on time to see someone pushing a pram towards me. It was Jan with Emma!!

He had called the day before to say the family were in Berlin and could we meet on Monday. I said, "Yes" immediately. As they came closer I noticed a beautiful little girl with wavy blonde hair sitting in the pram and smiling at me. I just `melted`. Emma is growing up quickly but I did not try to pick her up then. We had to get to know each other again so I made funny faces and made her smile. Then all was okay.

I was allowed to push the pram around the area until we found a restaurant with seats outside. I noticed people looking at me, then at the baby, and I was sure I could see them thinking,`Is he really the father?`I just smiled and kept pushing the pram. A really proud `Opa`. We had lunch and played with Emma and her doll named after her. See the photo.

Here is a photo of the proud parents. What a great couple they are. We had time to chat before
I had to head for another S-Bahn and my regular appointment on a Monday afternoon. I had a wonderful feeling as I said goodbye to all and particularly to my beautiful little Emma!

Erkner again

I've had a very interesting and enjoyable day with Imre and our bicycles. I arrived at S-Bahn Schönewiede as planned. Imre was waiting for me. We bought tickets for the bikes and jumped into an S-Bahn heading south. Then we heard an announcement that due to repair work there would be no service after 2.00 pm. Imre swore as I looked at him and told him to get out.

We did just that and returned to where we had started. I then said I had a plan and took over the journey. We cycle to Wühleheide Park which is not too far from where I live. We ended up near the children's play area. It was full of young families and great to see so many happy faces. We decided to join the kids in a queue for chips with ketchup. Very tasty.

We then picked up the S-Bahn to Erkner. As you know, it is one of my favourite areas east of Berlin and I spent the day there yesterday - see last post. I remembered cycling through the town to a river system leading to a lake, but that was many years ago. Even so, as I cycled and followed my instinct it was clear I was in the right direction. Lots of cycling through woods turning golden brown until we reached our destination.

We arrived at a village called Woltersdorf and stopped at the lakeside. There were many people there enjoying the sunny warm weather. Again lots of young families and children in queues for ice cream! I went to a restaurant overlooking the lake where I had been to before. I enjoyed a plate of local fish washed down with a cool German dry white wine. Delicious!

It was then time to return. We took another route back to Erkner then the S-Bahn back to my station. Farewell to Imre, cycled home and looked at the photos I had taken today. Here are some of Lord Imre and his big smile :-))

Quick Update

It's been a busy week. One surprise was yesterday. I watched the German football team play The Netherlands with increasing disbelief as the German team slid to a 3:0 defeat. It was like watching them play badly in the recent World Cup games. Time for new, younger players, particularly in defence.

I spent all day yesterday at a conference-workshop in a hotel in Erkner. This is a very nice town to the east of Berlin and one of my favourites to visit. It was organised by the district SPD and the topic was The Future of the EU. One of the main speakers was our local MEP who spoke very clearly about plus and minus aspects.  I learnt a lot and it was nice to spend time with interesting fellow members.

After the conference, some of them went to the centre of the city to support a demonstration. Was that a surprise in numbers. On Friday we heard reports that up to 40,000 would attend. Yesterday reports said nearly 250,000 people marched through the centre of the city to protest against the rise of right-wing populist politics and parties both within Germany and in the EU.

I think the fine sunny weather must have played a role in bringing so many people onto the street. It is forecast to continue into the new week. The sun is forcing its rays into my place as I type these words. I shall now get ready, pump up the tyres of my bicycle and later join Imre for a day out. We are heading for an area to the south of Berlin. I'm looking forward to a day of movement following a day of sitting yesterday! Have a nice Sunday no matter where you are.

A Cherub

Do you know what this word means in English? Yes, so what is it in German? Ahhhhh...ahhhh. It means die Putte. I met my Kowalke Gang yesterday to have a long lazy breakfast at Putte's new flat. Some posts ago I told you about having such a meal at her house in Mahlsdorf in the east of Berlin.

She sold it and moved into a new flat also in Mahlsdorf. I like it and would be very happy to live there. When we arrived she was dozing in the sun in the front garden. The table was full of delicious things to eat and so we caught up on news as we enjoyed the meal. Putte is on  the right of the photo.

I was told that her mother gave her the nickname 'Putte' when she was a very small girl. Family and friends have used it ever since. At the end of the meal we raised a glass to toast Colin and Gerald, who for different reasons could not be with us. Pity for they would have enjoyed the food and atmosphere.

The main events in Germany took place last Wednesday. It was a public holiday to celebrate German (re-)Unification. I think every village, town and city was full of people celebrating in different ways. There were a lot in Berlin including a range of sporting events. I had a lazy day with a bicycle trip through my local park and watching kids/families enjoying the day. I also went to all my usual meetings plus a few more.

This month our block of flats will get a new coat of paint. The workmen have already covered the front with scaffolding and will complete the rest tomorrow. I/we have cleared my/our balcony/ies so they can be painted. The work should be completed by the end of this month.

Here you can see what the front looks like. My place is on the second floor to the left of the photo. Slightly right of that you can see a small window. That is my bathroom. Half of the flats were painted last month so now it is our turn.

Next week I have my usual meetings plus the first of 6 physio sessions. I had them before. A specialist suggested I had more. The problem is my spine and collapse of some discs. When I ask why the docs tell me it is because I am no longer 21. They always smile when they say that!