der Künstler

The day after I returned to Berlin was the 'Exhibition Day'. You know I go to the Photoshop Oldie Gang led by Stefan each Friday afternoon.  The first picture on the left is of this group. On Tuesday we had an exhibition of our work covering two years.

More people came than I thought. I invited Silke and was pleased to see her there - with camera and lots of lenses. She has posted a nice report on her blog about the event.

Stefan had set up a large flat screen showing all our work, plus a large poster and another TV screen in the dining room, and copies of our work set out on picture frames for people to peruse at their pleasure. Very well organised Stefan!

The start was an introduction to The Gang. As Stefan introduced me, I stepped forward and gave a gracious bow to the people which was greeted by lots of clapping and smiles. You can see this in one of the photos here.

I missed the last lesson because I was in Den Haag but Stefan had prepared a picture of me pointing to myself as a jig-saw puzzle. I really liked this and he allowed me to take it home. I now have it hanging in my kitchen. There is a photo of me with the picture taken by Silke.

There was a glass of orange, or sekt, to start the event and then a meal to end the exhibition. I shall miss my 'Photoshop Gang' during the long summer break and look forward to autumn when we start again.

Amersfoort

Jan and Arancha drove me to the station to get the train to Amersfoort. After dropping me off, Arancha took Jan to his football match (They lost :-( ) then went home to complete some important work without noise and distraction.

I thought about them as the train took me inland to my next stop. Jeff and Marjan live in Amersfoort. We met nearly thirty years ago when Jeff arrived at the university in Brighton to study for a doctorate. They became part of 'The Brighton Gang'.

Later they moved to the Netherlands where Marjan comes from. Jeff got a good job in an institute directing funds and projects to the south of Africa and then they started a family. They have two boys. Actually they are now taller than I am and it was great to see them again.

It was important to meet when we did and catch up on latest developments. I brought them up-to-date on what other members of 'The Brighton Gang' are doing, and I learnt of a sudden change in their lives.  I had some time with Marjan on the Monday before she took me to the station so I introduced her to my blog.

She was pleased to read it and learn how to steer around to find information about previous posts and people. She agreed that I take a shot of her with this blog showing on her laptop. Thanks Marjan and Jeff and let's keep more regularly in contact. I had a lot to think about as I settled into my seat on the train back to Berlin. Thanks both and here's to the next time!

A Couple

Jan and Arancha must be in the running for the title of 'The Perfect Young Couple'. I would vote for them.

To spend a weekend in their company is a pleasure.  I felt immediately at home in their new flat and every minute with them. They have an easy going, smiley, laughing relationship of give and take.


I decided to show a few photos of the happy couple to end my story about seeing them in Den Haag. Jan's mother and sister will be driving to them in two days. I hope they have as happy a time as I did.



The last photo is one Jan took of me just after I returned the bicycle. There is something typically John-Jan in this shot. Realistic, but slightly crazy and long may it be so :-)

Thanks Jan and Arancha for a memorable weekend!

Scheveningen

After more cycling we arrived at an incline and with lots of puffing and huffing, from me, we got to the top and our first view of the sea. We had arrived at the coastal resort of Scheveningen. Pronouncing this word is one of the ways you can tell a Netherlander from a non-Netherlander.

The way you pronounce 'Schev' in  Dutch is different from the way a German speaker would say it. I got some advice and help from the two nice ladies in the info centre I mentioned earlier. You have to put the sound into your throat and roll it around. We had some laughs until I began to get it close to how it should sound!

We hit the sand dunes and took in the view. To the right is the Pier with hotels lining the beach. On the beach there are endless restaurants offering all kinds of food and drinks. To the left you have the same but without the Pier. There is, however, the harbour in the distance.

We took a few shots then I said I was hungry. We decided to find a place to rest and eat. We walked towards the Pier and eventually found a restaurant offing a set price fish dish. It tasted very nice and went well with my glass of Chardonnay.

Here you can see some of the views in the difficult to say resort of Scheveningen! Jan took two very different shots of me. The second one shows me tired of waiting for my fish!

Den Haag Tour - 2

Back onto our bikes and off we went again. Through the old city until we landed at am impressive looking building. Lots of tourist buses stopped so that the people inside could take photos posing with the building as a backdrop.






It is the Court of International Justice in Den Haag. We also posed - as you can see from the  photos. Nearby is a small monument to world peace and justice. I also later took a shot of the building from the back. I don't think many tourists get the chance to see it from the back.




We stopped at a small cafe for coffee. We sat in the garden in the sun, so I was able to take the shot. From there we cycled through a park and landed in an area full of Embassy building. Most are rather grand in the style of the 18th Century.

We cycle north again until Arancha said, 'Stop!' We had arrived at her school where she learns German. I quickly got her to pose for a shot. I was surprised by the security gates. She explained that staff from embassies also learn in that school, and it is in the embassy area. Now we can understand the security gates.

From here, we continued north in search of the sea.

Den Haag Tour-1

Next day we had a lazy breakfast and slowly got into the day. They have two bicycles. Arancha sat on the back of Jan's as he cycled to a rent-a-bicycle-shop in the centre of town. I followed on her bicycle.


We got to the shop okay. I hired a nice bicycle with back pedal brakes, in addition to a handlebar brake - just like my bicycle in Berlin!


We then went to an information centre in a library. There I had an interesting time talking to two nice ladies about what to see in Den Haag. I bought a map to help. We started our tour with a view of a palace, then into a square with interesting buildings. People were sitting in cafes in the square and enjoying the watery sun with lunch.

We then cycled to the Parliament building. It is surrounded by a moat and when you enter you see that it is full of different courtyards. A church and fountain are in the first courtyard. The Prime Minister and some ministers have their offices in this complex, but I don't know which ones.

Here are some of the photos I took for you to enjoy, and get a taste of what the city looks like.

New Flat

From Leiden we went to Den Haag. From the station we walked to Jan and Arancha's new flat. They moved in at the beginning of this year. It is larger than their old flat in Leiden and has car parking space. It is at the top of a three storey block of flats.

I felt at home as soon as I walked in. The last time I had this instant feeling was when I arrived in Beijing last September. I think it was a mixture of the size of the flat, the tasteful furnishing and decoration, and what Jan called, 'Arancha's home making ability'.  I told them I was going to move in and they could move out. They just smiled at me!

When I first arrived, Arancha was not at home. She was playing football with her all-women team. They were playing against an all-male team, The men won. Arancha later told us about their 'macho' aggression against an all-women team, which did not surprise her and her fellow players. No surprise that testosterone ruled the match! Even so, she enjoyed the game and likes playing in the team.

 As I unpacked and settled into the flat, Jan began to cook. I knew he could cook and was pleased to see the ease with which he prepared the evening meal, very professional! Of course, he allowed himself to sip a glass of beer as the cooking got underway. No surprise there!

I noticed he was wearing some interesting slippers. I discovered they were a present from Arancha's sister. I could not resist taking a photo. I like the eyes!

The meal was excellent and we had a relaxing evening talking and catching up on news. Here are a few photos of the flat and of my travel tickets and map of Den Haag, which I needed to plan the next day.

Arrived Leiden

Last Friday I jumped into a train and headed for Leiden. Can I hear you asking where it is? Just head west of Berlin, cross the border with Netherlands, keep going for a bit and you arrive at the last stop. It is called Schipol Airport.

Relax for ten minutes and a 'Sprinter' train will arrive. They are regular and painted yellow and blue. You can't go wrong. Enter, sit down and look out of the window at the continuing flat landscape. In a short time you arrive at Leiden.

I did and looked for Jan. He said he would pick me up there. His office is only ten minutes walk away. I waited and looked around. Lots of nice healthy looking people wandering around with a few sitting and eating in the fast food place you see all over the world.

I then decided to call him. My mobile worked okay and after a few minutes I got him. He said he was in the station and asked where I was. I told him and he started to laugh. I looked around and there he was smiling and looking at me. Nice joke, Jan! It was great to see him and he looked well.

He suggested we go for a beer. What a surprise :-) We did, at a local bar full with office workers relaxing in the sun. After the beer, he took me around the centre to show me some of the sights.

I took some photographs which you can see here. Shots on a bridge, of water and me posing in front of a windmill.

After, we wandered back to the station and took a train to Den Haag.

Another fall

I had another fall yesterday afternoon. I say 'another' for if you remember, I had a bad fall early May last year leading to the cancellation of my trip to France, and putting my later UK flight into doubt.

I came from my German lesson, and saw a tram to take me home approaching. I decided to run over the road and jump over a chain blocking a side entrance. I misjudged the height of the chain. It ran down my left leg from knee to ankle - like a knife. A long wound!

It was exactly where I cut myself four weeks earlier. Part of that old wound had hardly healed. I sat in the tram and saw the blood seeping into my sock. It got to my local chemists just as it was closing and bought some medication and bandages. They helped.

This morning I cancelled an appointment and saw my doctor. He dressed the wound and prescribed lots of bandages, lint, salbe and antibiotics. Here you can see my latest collection on the left. On the right is my old medication for allergies and tablets reduce my blood pressure.

The Doc is concerned about infection in the wound. I have already had three operations on this leg and another is likely before the end of  the year. He banned training for at least the next two weeks, but  allowed me to take the train to Den Haag on Friday. Hooray!

Britz

I went to Britz Garden today. It is in the south-west of Berlin. I have been before, and posted photos and comments on my blog. Today is what the Christians call 'Good Friday'. It is a public holiday here. The weather was dry, and warm when the sun shone.

I was invited to walk around Britz Garden with a small group from my Friday Gang. We met up and went by tram and bus. Many others had the same idea. Most were over 50, but there were also couples with children.

A very slow walk with time to take in the views, stop and comment, take photos and then slowly move on, eventually took us to a restaurant by a lake. We found a table for all, and then relaxed. It was very busy but the waitress was very organised, and we got good service.

 I ordered fish with natural rice and mixed vegetables. I sipped a cool Riesling during the meal and it was delicious! After more talking and relaxing after the meal, we started again and finished the circuit of the park.

I took a lot of photos for my Friday Photoshop Gang to use as backgrounds. I also took a few for this report. Hope you had a happy, sunny day.

Alt Marzahn

I went to Alt Marzahn this afternoon with Silke. On the way we stopped at the Baumarkt to buy another four carpet squares for the entrance area to my flat. I think I told you we had been there, and I needed more. That was soon done, so we headed to Alt Marzahn for me to play around with settings on my camera and take some pics.






I hadn't been there for years, and it felt strange being driven into the small old village area. Marzahn is on the north east of Berlin and was selected as the place to build a 'new town' in 1977. Other small villages were subsequently swallowed up by modern high-rise buildings, based on the Marzahn model.

I have many connections to Marzahn. It was the first place I lived in when I moved to Berlin. It was the place I met Jan and Andrea, drove my first Trabbi, began to note there is something called 'Berlinisch', worked for years at the VHS and got to know Hannelore, the head of languages, who I now visit at her home in the south of France, cheered Jan's football team every second Sunday, and many, many other memories. Most of them are happy ones.

Silka and I started our visit at the local 'Fleischerei', where we ordered substantial traditional meals, and at a very reasonable price. Then we wandered into the old main street. It is built around an old church, as you can see in another photo. You can also see the 'new high rise' buildings in the background,  which surround the old centre.

Next to the church is an old village school. This is now a museum about the history of schools in the area.  It spans three hundred years, and many changes of regime directing changes in educational policy and practice.

Fascinating and a pity it's not in the travel guides to Berlin. I learnt a lot and plan to return to read even more - but then it is only in German, so that may be why it is not in the tourist guides. Thanks Silke for an interesting afternoon.

Easter Party

Yesterday I met my 'Friday Keep-Fit Gang' - but on a Wednesday!   It was time for our Easter Party. In the training centre there is a conference room. That is where the tables were covered with easter cloths and food.

There were fifteen present and all the food had been prepared/cooked at home and was delicious. My task was to bring two bottles of sekt, which I did. Here you can see the decorated table and a photo of 'False-Rabbit'.

 It is seasoned minced meat filled with boiled eggs then baked in the oven. Mmmmmh and perfect with potato salad! There was lots to eat, and drink, including a very tasty apple cake with cream. Perfect with hot coffee. There were lots of interesting topics and conversations.

Our oldest member is called Horst and it was also his birthday. I was invited to his small family/friend birthday party at his home. Very pleasant and relaxing where we all sipped a very nice French Cognac.

He bought it while on a recent holiday in the south of Spain. As we sipped another glass, we watched a film of the holiday and the places they had been to. I arrived home not too late but very happy! Thanks all.

April things

Start of a new month. We had hailstones and even snow showers yesterday. Today the sun is shining. I even sat on my balcony while reading a book after breakfast. First time on the balcony this year.  I went shopping for new carpet squares for the entrance to my flat. I also bought some new 'grass' for my balcony. Silke took me for I needed a car to transport the things.

We went to a local 'Baumarkt' (DIY Store) to get the things. We ended up in a large store with a restaurant offering reasonably priced lunch menus for 'tired' shoppers. We went for the fish and here is the evidence taken by Silke. I would have preferred some hot potatoes, rather then the potato salad, but it was a 'fixed' meal. Even so, the fish was good!

I'm still shaking off the bad chest cold I posted about some time ago. I think it is mixed up with my allergies, for I normally shake off a cold within one week. Tomorrow, G&H arrive in Berlin from Bremen for a few days.  The first meeting since I arrived in Berlin. How time flies!

On Wednesday, Kerstin's 'Friday Keep-Fit Oldies' meet up for an Easter eating and drinking session - after training :-)  Should be great for last summer I went to an amazing garden party they gave. I suspect there will be lots of good, solid home cooking, with a glass or two of beer or sekt! Looking forward to it.

I already have a number of things planned over Easter, then I am taking the train to the Netherlands to visit Jan and Arancha in their new larger flat. On the way back I'll be staying over with Jeff and Marjan, who I haven't seen for a number of years. They are the high spots of my April.


Who has a birthday in April? Horst will be 78 on the 4th, Ulli hits 65 on 6th followed by Petra on the 8th. Daniel will celebrate with friends in Australia on the 9th, Dennis with his family in the USA will celebrate his 57th on the 11th. Niel shares the 13th with Marga but he will be 55 and Marga will celebrate her 64th in Berlin. My nephew Henri will smile his way through the 18th as he celebrates his 3rd Birthday - very nice:-)  Back in Berlin, Mathias will celebrate his 48th with his lovely Sylvana on the 19th, Peter will be opening a bottle or two in Altlandsberg to see in his 48th on the 22nd April. Birgit will no doubt do the same for her 48th on the 24th. Katrin ends the month with a party for her 44th on the 28th April. Have a wonderful day each and all!