April 2020 Things

It's snowing. I think it is the last burst of winter for we have had a relatively warm one. Perhaps another reason to stay at home in this coronavirus time. Here is what my local area looked like when I went for a walk a few days ago. My diary for April is empty for meetings etc. Some of them have moved to Zoom. Big expansion in this on-line communication service.

Who has a birthday in April? 
Uli from my Muggelsee Gang in Berlin will be 73 on the 6th April, His wife Petra has her birthday on the 8th, followed by Daniel Bateson who will be 42 on the 9th and celebrate with his wife and baby son in Australia. Dennis Hickman has his 65th on the 11th April. Sure to be a big party for that special day with his family in California. Neil Deane, academic and author, hits 63 on the 13th. Matthew Bolton will celebrate his 22nd birthday with family in Yorkshire on thge 14th. My grand-nephew Henri will be 10 years old on the 18th and sure to celebrate with his family in Hook which is in the south of England. My ex-business partner Mathias Gellrich will be 56 on the 19th and sure to celebrate with family here in Berlin. Peter Legarth over in Alt-Landsberg hits 57 on the 22nd and is sure to celebrate his big day with Andre and family. Closer to home, Birgit Fedor celebrates her 56th birthday on the 24th and so ends our birthday month.
Happy Birthday to all no matter where you are!

Face mask

Do you have a face mask and wear it when you go outside? I didn't until yesterday. A friend called to say that a local clothes repair shop was producing and selling them. I know this shop and nice lady who owns it. I wandered down to the shop and had a little chat with her before buying a couple of face masks. When I go out many people walk about wearing one or you see them in the supermarkets. I can join their numbers now.

I have never liked customers in supermarkets who pick up all the fruit, press them, smell them and then often put the fruit back. I only buy fruit in packing so that my fruit does not have the germs of others on them. Its on the packing which I throw away as soon as I get home then wash the fruit. This is particularly important in these days of coronavirus.

A couple of times recently I said to such customers that they should not press/pick up all the fruit. Last time it spread into a discussion with 6 customers and all critical of the 'Presser'. The 'Presser' moved away without saying a word.

When I got home from a walk this afternoon, I checked my e-mails and found a really good one from Birgit. Here it is and takes us back to a face mask but this time with a nice liquid. I must look for such a face mask, or else I'll take the cartoon to the lady in the clothes repair shop and ask her to make me such a face mask!

Laptop

Weather here is still blue sky and sun but cool. Due to have a cold spell starting on Sunday. The anti-corinavirus measures are as strict as ever. Most shops closed except for supermarkets, chemist's and bakeries. Still no toilet tolls or tissues in my local supermarkets. Perhaps you have just heard in your national TV or radio that Boris Johnson and the Health Minister have been diagnosed with the virus. I wonder how they will handle staying at home for the next few weeks.

I'm looking for a laptop. It's not for me but for The Boyz. They arrived on Wednesday afternoon to work on my laptop and printer. One of them has moved into a high school and has lots of work to do writing applications for training courses. Like most people their age, they can use a laptop with no problem, but they need one to prepare school work. Have you, or do you know of anyone with an old laptop at home or in the cellar? If so, please contact me.

Bro2 arrived clean shaven, as you can see in the photo. Here he is trying to imitate Dracula by biting Bro1 in the neck ! He did some English homework as Bro2 worked on the documents he needs for when they are allowed back to school-college. It is always nice to see them and we talked about many things including the coronavirus. They said they were hungry an hour after their arrival - but that is normal. I let them make snacks which they consumed while sipping water and fruit juices. No beer or alcohol. Hope someone offers a used laptop for it would make life easier for them in their studies.

The nice Irish Water from Ian and Birgit was tested last week. You can see the full bottle looks very happy next to the empty Glenfiddich. I had a visitor so it was a good excuse to open it and compare the taste. It has a very strong warm taste when you first sip it and then it melts into a very pleasant aftertaste. It was so nice we had another glass :-)

Wo 2 Du

What do you do when you have to stay at home for 2 weeks, or more, because of the coronaviris risk?  I have heard some discussion about this on various radio programmes both in the UK and Germany. There seems to be general agreement about reading, watching TV, listening to the radio, take up drawing or painting, knitting, needlework or any neglected hobby or interest and keep-fit exercises. You could also take up collecting Blah-Blah. Here is a recent collection taken from BBC Radio 4 programmes, mainly news or Any Questions discussions. All came from the mouths of 'native speakers' I wonder where the English language is going when I hear such things. Here goes 

Health messaging / to listen back / the source individual / the risk remain low / I am suspect of this idea / a big, big job of work (thanks Boris Johnson for that!) as we speak at the moment / we have a window of dry weather / to bridge something through / there are issues around / the people issue / a raft of people / discussions around individuals / system to individual side / things shake down / make a judgment call / speak to in real time / life critical / taking such huge action / it could re-benefit them / to better choices / to retro fit / to crowbar your agenda /

Hols

The sun is shining, sky is blue but it is cold. New measures against the spread of coronavirus start today. They include closure of all restaurants, bars, pubs and more police on the streets to check on why people are not at home. Words like 'lock down' are being used and 'hamster shopping' in TV and radio reports. I hear that there are no toilet rolls or tissues in any of the shops in my area. That means no change since I went shopping last Friday. I had two nice phone calls asking me if I was okay and if I needed help at any time then I had to phone them immediately. Nice offers!

I also got two postcards. One was from Heike who always wanders around the globe on cruise ships. This time it was the Aida starting and ending in Mauritius taking in La Reunion, The Seychelles and Madagaskar. She said the temperature was 30°C and 26°C in the water. Just right for a swim! She didn't mention the virus and checks on passengers, but then her cruise started in mid-February when the virus was mainly in China. I believe that many cruise ships are now docked in harbours

Max and his 'better-half' were also on holiday. They were in the Republic of Ireland. They had a very nice time exploring parts of the country even though the weather was "mostly Irish". He wrote, "We found footprints of your clan in An Coiaen and a park named after one of yours". Here they were on the west coast. The traditional O'D lands are further inland but still in the western area of the island. They were part of the Kingdom of Leinster. He said they visited the cliffs at Kerry, the harbour of Portmagee, ate fresh fish, and hiked to Bray Head on Valentina Island. Sounds like they had a great time. Nice places for a holiday - but after the coronavirus has been controlled.

Whiskey Walk

Yesterday I went for a walk with Johanna and Martina. We met near the U5 rail line that goes to the eastern parts of Berlin. We walked to the end and turned right in the direction of Kaulsdorf. Then we turned to the south and picked up the little river that flows into the River Spree at Köpenick. That was our destination. We had a couple of stops on the way to enjoy the weather and views of trees starting to bloom. The stops also allowed my fellow walkers to have a picnic-snack.

We arrived at S-Bahn Köpenick . I was hungry for I had not taken food for a picnic. We went into a restaurant - pub opposite the S-Bahn. I used to go there whenever I came into the area. They had a one menu meal on offer and well priced at 6 Euro. Not bad! We all drank beer for we had walked 10 klm and needed some liquid. The beer went well with the food and it gave us the chance to relax and talk about future walks and who was to organise what.

On returning home, I checked my e-mails and found a small message from Ian and Birgit saying that Irish help was on its way. At first I could not understand until I remembered my last but one post. Then I understood. This morning there was a knock on the door and Mr Postie gave me a packet. Inside was the promised Irish help. Here you can see what has now replaced my bottle of Jura. Big thanks to Ian and Birgit for being so generous. I have spent the day in 'self-isolation'. Have you?

Hamster Shopping

Perhaps you are suffering the same as we are. I mean something called Hamster Shopping. Go to any supermarket here and you will find all the shelves for toilet rolls empty. Those for tissues are almost empty. All as a result of the spread of coronavirus and requests for self-isolation. News broadcasts are full of politicians asking German people not to 'Hamster Shop'. Seems like a lot of people are not listening.

All my regular appointments have been cancelled for the next five weeks. I decided to spend more time alone with a book. I selected one called School Grammar German for children in the 5th Class. I flipped through it and noted all the exercises had answers in the back. Easy for me to cheat! I read Unit 1 about Articles and Nouns and did the exercises. I was sure I had all correct and so turned to the answer section. Ohhh Noooo....they were all wrong! I decided to take the book and learning activities more seriously as I stay at home to avoid corona virus carriers on the street.

Last Sunday I met Johanna and Martina. We set off for an old industrial complex on the banks of the River Spree south of where I live. It is near the building where I meet Kerstin and the Oldie Keep-Fit Gang each Friday morning. That has now been closed for 5 weeks. In the complex is a building in which many artists paint and make sculptures.

One of them is Maud who is Johanna's daughter. I have been to her exhibitions before and posted reports on my blog. The artists were giving another exhibition of their works and we all enjoyed wandering around the rooms seeing their works. I took a bottle of my favourite Spanish sekt and so we started with a sip of that to thank Maud for the invitation. Here is a photo and she is in the middle. Thanks Maud for a nice time!

Whiskey Boots

I've had a good week including meeting some friends at my place. They like to drink black tea with no sugar or milk, but with a drop of 'medicine'. This visit they finished off a nice whiskey from Scotland called Jura. It has a very round, warm taste and does not burn as you move it into your throat. If you get the chance I suggest you buy a bottle and judge for yourself.

As we finished the Jura, we noted we still had a lot more tea to drink so I opened another bottle of 'medicine'. I am sure you know the name Glenfiddich. You will find it in most airport shops and stores where you live. We sipped some and compared the taste. It is good but ..... I found it lacked the warm round taste you get from Jura. My visitors agreed!

On Tuesday I was in local store and found shoes/boots on special offer. I found a pair my size and bought them. Guess where they were made? You are right --- in India! They feel comfortable and are just the right things for my feet as we still have cold and wet weather here.

The coronavirus has now spread around the world. In Germany there is lots of discussions about how to respond. Yesterday, I got e-mails saying meetings with my Oldies would be cancelled from next Monday until further notice. I can understand the decision but I shall miss meeting them each week.

My meetings with Thorsten to learn how to use a Tablet and a Smartphone have also been cancelled. Pity for I have always liked the meetings and trying to catch up with 5 year olds who use a smartphone all the time! Take care and stay healthy.

UPDATE: I watched the local news programme and heard that the Berlin government decided to implement a series of closures including schools from next Monday. Also, that the number of infections and deaths has increased. 

Fruit Salad

I've always liked different fruit salads and my grandmother made some very tasty ones for me. At home we kids grabbed all the fruit as my mother unpacked it, and straight into the mouth. No time to make a salad! The Bros also like salads, as you can see from the photos. I made a mixed salad but with a lot of strawberries.

They arrived late Sunday morning to pick up some clothes and school materials I had been given for the family. They said they wanted to speak English when they visited. I asked why. The answer was that their school English was terrible and they were looking to the future and work after school when they would need English. I just nodded and smiled, but they only spoke English during their visit.

On Monday, I went to the Doc and got some new medicine for my lower right leg. It is now getting better. I also started with a bloodshot left eye. No idea how or why it started. I got drops for that which I have to take three times a day. Imre sent me a collection of photos taken at his big party. Nice to see the guests again and the tables of food and drinks :-)

On Saturday, a memorial was held in Brighton to celebrate the life of the musician Glen Capra. A lot of people attended and a text was written containing things said about him. My text was included. His family sent me a copy yesterday. Very sad to read it but it brought back many good memories and I learnt more about him and his life after I left Brighton. I shall always value the e-mails he sent me just before his death.

March 2020 Things

I had a good week with nothing special to report. The big event was yesterday. I went to a teacher workshop followed by the AGM of eltabb. I co-founded eltabb 25 years ago and reported on the party  to celebrate that event a few months ago. Eltabb means English Language Teachers' Association. Most of the board members and management committee are women. They do a superb job and I was happy to vote them back into office.

Next week looks like last week in terms of appointments and meetings. Nothing special except seeing the doctor on Monday morning. I have a skin infection on my right ankle to lower leg. I got medicine a few weeks ago but that hasn't helped. Perhaps a different medicine next Monday. Let's see.

Now to ask - who has a birthday in March 2020? Colin over in Australia starts the list with his big day on the 19th, Dr Günter Porsch in Berlin has his celebration on the 22nd, Dr Bernd Wittek will celebrate with his family near Berlin on the 28th. My wonderful friend Johanna celebrates her birthday on the 31st and so ends the month. Happy Birthday no matter where you are :-)