My Silver Jubilee Music

2012 marks my arrival twenty five years ago in Berlin. No great pagentry planned but a lot of happy reflections and meetings with those people the years have brought me into contact with . Plus I've now adopted the Cornish Floral Dance as my Anthem ( call it what you will). It seems very apt .
In December 1987 alone here and still new to the city I heard the Berlin Police Orchestra playing this at the Advent Market Europa Centre . The tears fell, but suddenly I felt fine and connected . Fast forward to this  Whit Sunday where, at a brunch a Danish band were playing . On walking forward to make at least one film what should they play but The Cornish Floral Dance .
Was it an amazing coincidence or from elsewhere ? Once again tears of happiness and a sense of full circle .The band were great and liked the story .They gave their permission to use on the internet. This week in Berlin there will be music to mark the Queen's Diamond  Jubilee . I've had mine ... it was lovely .

Carnival Of Culture Berlin 2012

The holiday weekend fun began on Friday in Kreuzberg.On Saturday more peeople arrived to taste the foods on offer and enjoy the music etc . Next  the 'caravan ' will move through the streets .This will be a display of floats and amazing costumes .
The mix is perfect and the atmosphere electric . Another Berlin  event I can recommend .

A Weekend in A Minute +13

BEST VIEWED FULL SCREEN .
This is a film made for GNY Berlin a YouTube film maker . She is the tops and last month was the anniversary of her 200th Berlin videos .One per week and each exactly 1 minute !
Believe me that is superb editing on her part .Now in Brooklyn she makes 1 minute movies  as well as having many other projects . Here's  my tribute to her. Hope she enjoys and that you do . My time here is always full , never dull and yet never stressed . Why ?
'Das ist Berlin' 

My Kind Of Guy

                                     QUOTE FOR TODAY


Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.

Elbert Hubbard ( writer , publisher , artist and philospher )
June 19th 1856 ----May 7th 1915.
It's fascinating to read about this man's life and his quotations are absolutely spot on.

Elbert Hubbard and his wife  died when travelling on the Lusitania when it sank off the coast of Ireland after being hit by a German submarine .

Birds Of A Feather

Spotted yesterday at the open air swimming pool .This pair of Mallard ducks were swimming across the diving pool as I walked in.By the time I got my camera ready they were hopping out, preening and settling for a siesta. Or maybe viewing we humans as entertainment. Their absolute contentment with life was wonderful to obverse. I left them snoozing side by side .

Tegel Airport Saves Berlin Again

Best Viewed Full Screen and Turn Volume Low .

No sound track save for the wind and jet engines. (music to my ears ) any time .
This was made last Saturday. June the 3rd and closure day was looming large for this delightful , efficient hexagonal user friendly airport ---- I interviewed many staff at Tegel and found none were for closure .Today the news as ever BBI will NOT open as planned for the umpteenth time .This announcement coming at the last minute will cost airlines and firms a great deal of money. If the powers that be go ahead and ever close Tegel then as sure as eggs are eggs the world has gone crazy .More info on the history of Flughafen Tegel on YouTube. Meanwhile thanks again Tegel for saving Berlin . Built by professionals, maintained by professionals,run by professionals this airport has always presented the best image of what is best about Germany .It did not cost a fortune to do so.

The Speed Of Lightning

BEST VIEWED FULL SCREEN
After days of extremely hot and humid weather we had a night storm . It began at midnight and meant little sleep for me. Instead out on the balcony with a drink and Panasonic . Missed a lot of great flashes but was lucky with others . When a child in UK my parents said that thunder was God moving around in heaven. They never did have a story for lightning so let's say he was fixing the fuses .Or even re-wiring who knows ? Best of all maybe it's a reminder to us that we do have a truly spectacular world .

Tip Toe Through The Tulips

Once again Britzer Garten made sure we knew it was Spring .Each year the display of tulips is sensational. Some are left to grow wild like meadow flowers, others are set in displays to best show off their tones and forms.Over and over one is astonished at the varieties of Tulip. Britzer Garten is huge, well worth a visit and in August hosts open air classical music concerts . Make a note. Whilst walking around today the overwhelming sound was that of bird song. Their's was a Spring Symphony like no other .

May Day In Berlin Is Hot & Steamy

What a fabulous May Day. Down to Ostbahnhof and the Flea Market held there. Shade was much needed but hard to find. Later off to the Olympic Open Air Swimming Pool. My favourite spot in summer. It was no surprise when  a call came telling all to get out of the water. For rain alone,no problem .When there is thunder and lightening it's a must . The storm lasted and in the end I decided to have a pseudo swim on my bike . Riding home was something else. The rain was lovely and warm , I got a second shower. For this Brit a rather perfect May Day.