Bag Packed

My Bag is Packed

I've already packed my bag for the flight to Liverpool tomorrow then later to Silsden. As you know, I should be flying back from Provence in the south of France today, but due to my fall the Doc did not allow that.

Hannelore and Peter called me from Claviers yesterday evening to get the latest. They also told me that they went to visit friends on Tuesday who have a house at Cannes overlooking the bay. They also have a boat so they spent the day swanning around the Cannes coast and enjoying a picnic. My seat on the boat was empty! The friends said they would repeat it the next time I am there. Nice of them!

Packing a bag for England is not quite the same as just getting back from a boat tour around Cannes, but I feel I really need a break from my corner of the world and routine.  I hope the airport hassle and security over-the-top do not spoil the flight.

Barry 'n Pam are picking me up and I am looking forward to relaxing in their superb garden tomorrow. My Doc only gave me the 'All Clear' for me to fly to Blighty on Tuesday morning, so I have been busy contacting people about visits and travel plans. I'm sure it will all work out.

In case you have forgotten what Silsden looks like, here are a couple of old photos. I shall be back on the 3 July so there will be no posts to this blog until after that date. Have fun everyone and enjoy the next few weeks!

Shopping

Shopping as therapy!


Thanks to all who sent messages in response to my fall. Very much appreciated. Last Wednesday was the worst day. I should have been on the flight to Nice, but I was still in Berlin. I felt depressed, slow, didn't  know what I wanted to do and very tired after not sleeping properly for a week.

I took all the tablets prescribed and slowly noticed an improvement. I began to sleep in more than two hour sessions, but could still not sleep lying on my bed! Good job I have a nice leather sofa!


Today I had my first physi session with the 'Boss'. He is blind but you would never know it when you meet him. The session was perfect and I hope he helps me in the remaining four meetings. He has a perfect mix between talking to you and probing, finding the problems and giving the right treatment.

Then I went to my local shopping area, checked my bank account, smiled, and went shopping as therapy! It worked. First stop was a department store with very fine mens perfumes! A heavy overdosing on the Hugo Boss range which started from €74 per bottle began the process of 'spirit uplifting'!

A saunter to the next aisle and I added on overdose of Wolfgang Joop coming in at nearly the same price! The depression began to lift. I have learnt not to mix too many and only stay in the finer,  expensive range - and that is what I did.

I moved two floors above to the 'Gentlemen's Department'. They were having a sale. I looked through a number of clothes then found two things I decided I had to have both for quality and reduced price. The first was an 'Esprit' sweater in a simple classic design, and cream coloured. Perfect for my mood!

Then, with the help of an 'elderly assistant', I found the last 'Rovers and Lakes' shirt in classic blue and white stripes.  I paid €19,00 in total! The full price was €59,00! It pays to shop around, but then again I was just in the right store at the right time - as opposed to being in the wrong street at the wrong time a week ago when I had my fall!

I then went into a store selling everything to do with electronic gadgets. I found an electronic weighting machine reduced to €9,- and thought this really was my day. I wandered around the store and found the laptop section.

Oh la la....a special offer of a laptop from Compaq Presario and at the crazy prize of  €299,-.  I decided this last generation laptop was not really the machine I was looking for. Let's see what is on offer in July/August when I return from the UK.

Finally, a photo of breakfast on my balcony this morning. Just the right temperature and conditions to enjoy a simple but traditional breakfast before I set off to my doctors and shopping as therapy!

A Fall

A Fall and Results

The final day in May brought the worst thing. I meet Lee and Gerry in the afternoon but in the evening a thunderstorm started. We were at S-U-Bahn Friedrichstrasse and crossed the road. The lights changed to red for us as we got to the middle section for pedestrians.

I didn't notice a stone was higher than the others and tripped over. My head narrowly missed going under the wheel of a car. I fell to the the right damaging my foot and calf. I stopped my head hitting the ground by taking the fall on my outstretched arms. Ski-fall training but the street is harder than snow!

For the first few days I only noted problems with my foot-leg which slowly went away. It was replaced with a growing pain in my back which moved into my shoulders and back of my neck. By Saturday I could not sleep and was in permanent pain.

My German teacher gave me a stick to help me to walk slowly, my chin stayed on my chest so I could not see anything in the middle/higher vision range. I also found my old neck support and pain killers. You can see them here.

I went to the Doc this morning. He put me on a course of tablets to relax the tense muscles in the shoulders and neck, plus a course of physiotherapy. If that doesn't show signs of working by early next week then it will be hospital :-(

I called Hannelore and Peter in France to cancel my holiday there. They were very understanding and told me to come later in the year when I am better. Here is a pic of what I am missing plus my new tablets!


What a way to end one month and start another!

June

June and Things


June started with summer weather and visitors from Blighty. A very nice time with them all. It offers to be a quiet month based on travel of different kinds. Teaching at the institute has dried up and my private students want less help due to travel and business trips.

May was a very mixed month. My bicycle was stolen, Asus Laptop died, tea and coffee pots broke, kettle burnt out, my rucksack developed large holes and other small annoying things happened.

On the other hand, I bought a nice birthday present and had fun learning how to set up a W-Lan radio. I also had some interesting days out, cycle tours and more than one birthday meal!

Who has a birthday in June? My i-Mac is 4 years old today. I wonder if it will outlive my Asus? On the 19th June my father would have been 99 and my mother 93. They shared the same day.Teresa has her 'over 50' birthday on 23 June.  Hermann will be 74 on the 25th and that's it until July.

Happy Birthday to each and all and have a great day!

Breakfast

Special Breakfast

The day after the Herren Tag bicycle tour, we went to the Reichstag for breakfast. Not a bad way to start the day.  The Reichstag, in case you don't know, is the home of the German Parliament and just opposite the Chancellors office, which is very close to the President's Palace.

The building was re-designed in the 1990's, after re-unification, and Norman Fosters design was accepted. It includes a large glass dome with circular walkways open to the public.


 You can enter the building by registering for a conducted tour, or for a meal in the restaurant opposite the dome.

Andrew and the lads wanted the second option, so I organised it for them. They invited me to join them as their way of saying thanks for my help. I quickly and gratefully accepted.

They even got there before I did. Through the security check then into the lift to the dome and restaurant. We sat on the east facing terrace = into the morning sun. Wonderful! The service was first class as was the breakfast.

They took a lot of photos and I took a few.

After breakfast, Andrew wanted to walk to Brandenburger Tür, which we did, then on to Friedrichstrasse and eventually to Lafayette, which I think is his favourite store. Then to Checkpoint Charlie and finally to Karlshorst to return the bicycles.

Having done that, they decided to have a beer at the Havana Bar opposite S-Bahn Karlshorst. One beer led to another, and another....and even to thoughts of food!

I could not resist taking a photo of Andrew trying to consume his lunch. He managed most of it!

I headed home and they headed into Berlin for more fun + more beer! I really enjoyed my time with them and banter with each other.

One thing I noticed was how often they used a Blackberry to send messages. I think I am too old for this 'cultural development'! I prefer to talk face to face.

Visitors -3

Visitors - 3 

Andrew, Andrew and Kevin flew into Berlin on 1 June. I met them at the airport and took them by train to Karlshorst to pick up bicycles I had hired for them. Of course, they stopped for a beer or two on the way. And so the pattern of the next few days was set!

The first Andrew is my nephew, the second is a works colleague and Kevin was at Lancaster University with non-nephew Andrew. They are all chums and decided to leave their respective wives and children to sample a few days built around Herren Tag.

There is no equivalent in either the English language or culture. In secular society it is Mens Day, not Fathers Day, and a public holiday. It is day for men to 'bond' as modern sociologists would probably say.

Nowadays, many men bring their wife and children and there are special festivals for all the family. Traditionally the men would set off on horses and carts, which they had decorated with grasses and flowers, for a gentle round of drinking and eating which would last all day! Not bad!

Nephew Andrew experienced this about five years ago and wanted a second shot - but with some chums this time. And so they duly arrived and next day they met my Mugglesee Gang at Erkner and off we went.




There were 12 of us from 4 nationalities and languages, but most communication was in English. We stopped at Waltersdorf for beer and Wurst (grilled sausage with mustard) where I took some photos. We then cycled north to Rudersdorf  and Lake Steinspitz where we had a picnic - more photos.

More cycling north took us to Strausburg, where the ladies disappeared into a cafe and the lads into a beer garden for ..... yes, you guessed right, for beer. Later we took a tour around the north of the lake then through woods to Spitzmühle, for more beer and sausages.



 The day ended to the south of the lake at Eggersdorf where there is a popular Middle Ages Festival. More beer and sausages and then again -more beer. As the sun set, the happy gang cycled to S-Bahn Petershagen Nord to catch the S-Bahn back to Berlin. What a day!

Visitors-2

Visitors - 2


We met on a fresh hot sunny 1st June. That evening we had a thunderstorm of classic proportions - and then sun, blue sky and heat returned as if nothing had happened!

I met Lee and Gerry at Alexander Platz plus all the band. We all piled into an S-Bahn heading to Strausberg. It was full of workers returning home. I smiled as I saw the look of surprise on their faces at seeing so many English speakers in the wagon.

We finally arrived at Fredersdorf. There followed a ten minute walk into the village. The concert was held in the sports hall of the village school. Refreshments were on hand as soon as the musicians arrived.

I sat with Lee and Gerry and some interesting 'Brits' with interesting political opinions about what was wrong with the country. I listened with pointed ears for I do not get the chance to hear such views.

The clothes and instruments finally arrived, so all moved into the sports hall for a practice run before the big event. At that point I took these photos. I really like the one of Gerry blowing into a large metal instrument while smiling! Unfortunately I had to leave the concert early but I really liked what I heard.



I hope to see Lee and Gerry again when I visit England in a few weeks.

Visitors-1

Visitors-1

Lee and Gerry arrived in town and we met on 31 May. She is Alan and Lynne's daughter - and my 'god-daughter'! She became a professional musician and now plays in a 'wind band'.


The band was on a tour of 4 German cities. Berlin was the last stop. It was great to see her after so many years. I liked Gerry as soon as we met. A very open personality and he can speak some German!

We met on a warm day which threated rain storms in  the evening.  It was then that I had my accident, but more of that later.


We went through the central tourist area of Berlin, and I took them to a typical Berlin restaurant near to the British Embassy.



We had some really 'solid food' which in fact I could not finish. Lee had the same problem, but the food was good - just too much of it.

Here are a few photos of that pleasant evening. Next day I went with them to their concert east of Berlin.

Marga

Marga visit

Marga came to visit me on 29th May. I've talked about her before on this blog so no need to introduce her again. It was a pleasant sunny Sunday, and ideal for her to explore where I live.

We talked about such a day the last time we met. I bought a replacement bicycle for the one that was stolen, so lent her my 'chic' one. She hadn't been on a bicycle for 34 years and was nervous at first. She just needed time and all the old skills came back.

We ate a The Bömische Restaurant near to my flat. It was her choice for she doesn't have such a restaurant where she lives. Then to explore the southern part my area. It was the first to be built following the construction of a racecourse  for the Kaiser's son. It has some interesting villas and houses built for artists.

Next we went to the section built to house the 'next generation of money' which moved into the area. It has many nice family houses with gardens and tree lined streets. It also has a barracks built in 1934/5 to train officers. At the end of the complex is the Officers Mess. The Capitulation of Germany was signed there on 8th May 1945. It is now a museum and well worth a visit.



We continued our tour by cycling north to see where I used to live then west into the 'poor' part where I now live: -) This includes a section of housing built by the DDR government in the 1970's, hence it's name of being the 'poor' part.

We ended the tour back at my place for coffee, cakes and a drink. A very pleasant day and Marga wants to return to try out cycling again and tour the museum We plan to do this in July.

Wheels

Oldies on Wheels

I have just got back from a cycle tour. I think I can post a report before I switch on The Box to watch the game between ManU and Barcelona. I forecast the latter will win. Their advantage is that they don't have Rooney playing for them :-)

It was my turn to organise a bicycle tour so I took four Oldies on the same tour I took Andrew on a few years ago. Jan knows this tour too. I discovered it with him even more years ago.

We took the S-Bahn to Petershagen Nord. Got out and cycled to Eggersdorf village. Had a refreshing coffee and chat. Cycled to Bötzsee and took the path along the side from south to north. At the top we stopped at the one and only restaurant.

I ate a 'deftiges Essen' which means something substantial = ANDREA - ME EATING AGAIN! It was a Schnitzel with fried egg, potatoes and salad + a small Berliner Bier. Just the thing to prepare the legs for the main part of the tour! I also posed with the lake behind me so you could see what a pleasant view I had as I ate!


We cycled onto Fängersee and stopped to admire the view. We then took the track west and landed at Wesendahl. The Oldies wanted to eat 'Eis' (ice cream) so we stopped at a place next to a horse riding school.

I don't eat 'Eis' so I left them to eat and wandered over to where the ponies are kept. I took this shot of them. Even the dogs were asleep, as you can see. There was a little pony and a girl led it into the training area and she was about as old as Scarlett!

We then took the slow scenic track to Altlandsberg. Of course we stopped in a field on the way to have coffee and cakes which they had brought with them. Back onto the bikes and we finally hit Altlandsberg.  There they stopped again to have more ice cream but this time with fruit and cream. I just looked on!

An easy ride to Neuenhagen after the ice cream took us to the S-Bahn station and the train back to Berlin. They were all very happy about being in such nice countryside and, of course, having such a nice lunch, ice cream, coffee and snacks.

What would an Oldie bicycle tour be without these essential additions? :-))

PS: Just made it. The game starts in 4 minutes!
PPS: I was right. Barcelona 3: ManU 1. Nothing more to be said!

Moodle Workshop

Moodle Workshop

I have just got back from a Moodle workshop. Can I hear you asking what a Moodle is?

It is a 'virtual learning environment'. It is a free source e-learning software platform for educators to create online courses. Now you know!

It was held at the Hochschule Wildau, which is on the S-Bahn line to the south of Berlin, and lies in Brandenburg. I have been to a number of workshops there and always enjoyed the learning atmosphere.

It was organised by Martin, who I used to work with at the British Council years ago, and given by Noema. She spoke in German, Spanish and English to cover the languages of the participants. And she did it flawlessly.

It was very interesting and I now have access to their platform, so I can practice from home. Learning even more! Here is a pic of our hosts, plus pics of a train at the entrance to the Hochschule.

The town was famous for its train factory many years ago and this steam train was built in 1943, my year :-)). It retired in 1999.  Now a happy old train!

Big Kid

Big Kid Eating Again!

I went to Jüterbog yesterday. It is to the south of Berlin and was a thriving market town when Berlin didn't even exist! I went to visit Jürgen and Dieter. The excuse for meeting was to celebrate my birthday - again!

I really like going there for Jürgen is a hobby cook and the meals are excellent. I also like going to their garden and seeing all the flowers, vegetables and fruit. Most of what we eat comes from their garden.

Here are a couple of pics showing me to be a Big Kid. I could not resist climbing on the train and being a five year old again! I got some strange looks but I enjoyed it.

We ate potatoes, tomatoes, herbs, fruit from the garden. The main meal was asparagus from the area with a Schnitzel. Mmmmh delicious!  After a gallop around the town and around the garden, we returned to sample Jürgen's cherry and strawberry gateau with coffee of course! We finished with a glass of Becherovka from the Czech Republic. One of their finest products!

A short bus ride to the station and then the journey back to Berlin. Looking forward to the next visit. Wonder what we shall eat and drink then!

Oldie

Becoming an Oldie!

When I worked on the photos taken in Köpenick with Andrea yesterday, I noticed my receding hairline, gray hair and more lines on/in my face. It took me back to my last birthday and discussing this topic with some other 'oldies'! I add a few photos which show this.

It also came up in conversation last Friday during the Marzahn garden gallop. I am not the only one in the group to go to  an 'oldie' fitness training course. The consensus was that you have to keep moving and try to keep fit.

Sounds like good advice to each and all of us, but I was left with how one deals with clear evidence of ageing. I have just checked the word/spelling in the British National Corpus and found 1253 examples of its use.  Some are very funny!

I think each of us has to deal with it and there is no simple remedy or solution. Now that sounds nice and rational, and I wrote those words immediately. Glad my rational self is so quick, but my irrational self still has doubts and is unsure about how I am dealing/will deal with this.

Perhaps I have made the first step by acknowledging the fact that there are clear signs of my ageing. I like the way that babies in prams in a tram or S-Bahn look at me, smile then say, "Opa..opa!"- and smile again. It means Grandfather and I always smile back. Babies are nothing if not honest!

Andrea

With Andrea in Köpenick

I had a very nice afternoon yesterday. I went to Köpenick with Andrea and enjoyed the afternoon seeing the old centre. Later we relaxed in a restaurant overlooking the River Spree, which flows through Berlin.

We arranged out meeting sometime ago on the basis that we usually meet over a plate and glass, but hadn't done so this year. She gave me a present. It is a book called Winter in Madrid. She had just read it and knew I had read a number of history books about Spain.

This one is a novel and set in Madrid in 1940, just after the end of the Civil War. Madrid lies in ruins and provides the backdrop to the drama. Thanks liebe Andrea. I shall start reading it tomorrow for I finished my current book in the sun on my balcony this morning.

We talked about all kinds of things and it is nice to be so open with each other. She is starting work soon in a new part of Berlin and one closer to home. She is looking forward to that. She is very photogenic so I couldn't resist taking a couple of photos of her with the river as background. You can see the results for yourself.

Köpenick is famous for its inner centre with its Schloß built on a small island in the middle of the river. Das Rathaus (Town Hall) is also famous for its architecture and the figure of Der Hauptmann von Köpenick at the entrance. We had to have one of me with him. Pity this area in the south east of Berlin is not on the tourist route.

We relaxed in a restaurant with a view to the water and enjoyed some traditional German food. I added a good Czech beer, which was sold from the barrel. I'm not a fan of bottled beer! Delicious - and I cleared the plate!

Can't wait for another nice afternoon with her before the sun sinks into winter!

China

China

I've just opened my e-mails and found one from Ian and Birgit. They are now in Beijing after a very interesting Far East tour. Their blog link is below.

We talked over Skype a week ago and now I have the update. Last Wednesday they signed a contract for a  "lovely apartment" and hope to move in next Friday = 27 May.  They sent me a photo attached to their e-mail with the title- "Your Room". Wow and wow again!!!

They signed it with "See you in Beijing". We talked about me visiting them back in February when they were in Berlin, but suddenly to see my future room in their apartment is really a surprise.

They told me the best month to visit is September for it is warm, but not too hot or humid. Now all I have to do is work out how I can find the money to finance this experience of a lifetime!

Garten

Marzahn-Garten

I went to the famous Marzahn Erholungspark this afternoon. I met members of my Friday Photoshop Gang. Last week we decided to have an afternoon out and chose the Marzahn park.

I have been there a few times before and even reported about my visits on this blog. Even so, I really enjoyed meeting the Gang in such a pleasant green setting.

 Unfortunately the initial greetings were not as nice as the park. A fat and ugly women sat in the cashier room and was not only rude but tried to cheat me out of €5 when I bought my entrance ticket.

In the Moorish Garden, a women guard complained when Stefan and I started to eat a chocolate bar - we finished it outside.

Next we wandered into a section with parts of the old Berlin Wall and then was told by a security man that we were not allowed to enter the area - there was no sign saying so!  At that point I felt like leaving and asking for my money back.



We decided to wander further and just enjoy the park and its relaxing sights. The different gardens were more pleasant than the workers we met in the park! I think it will be a long time before I return.


We ended by having coffee and chatting about summer plans. We decided to close the course earlier for most will be away at different times during summer. I shall be in a workshop next Friday, then start my travels shortly after so today was my last meeting with the Gang.

I shall miss our meetings on Friday afternoons, but we meet again next October for another round of learning how to use Photoshop to change and create new pictures.