Parking With A Difference .

Taken in a Berlin underground carpark this shot leaves me wondering are these places now catering for weary shoppers .Maybe those who cant recall which level they parked on and need a break before continuing the search ...... Tis but a thought .

To The European Parliament

'Any fool can make a rule and any fool will mind it '

Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862

Something tells me that Thoreau would have had much to say to the champion, overpaid rule makers of Brussels .

They who determine our lives with what can only be termed ridiculous legislation should be treated with contempt .

History shows us how those in power are so keen to make the maddest of laws which , sadly, many go along with .

I ask you :-

Do you know your EU MP ?

Can you meet them for their help?

Do you know what they earn ?

Do you know what expenses they claim ?

Do you know if they,like millions are subject to a pay freeze?

If you have answered YES to all the above then it is either a miracle or you are related .

If you have answered NO then now's the time to do research, ask questions and get the truth.

You have a right as you are paying these people .

One final question :-

In your opinion do debates on tractor seats and fruit dimensions warrant time,legislation and expenditure ?

So wake up all 'fat cats' of Brussels you may have to answer questions.

January 1st 2012

Last night , this morning, was spent along with many more up on Teufelsberg.

This 80 metre hill situated in Berlin provides an excellent viewing point of the city. It was astonishing and exciting to stand and film 360° whilst at the same time enjoying fireworks going off around and above one.The latter brought up by people who made sure the New Year greeting was colourful , noisy and fun packed . These two stills give an almost space quality( that on the left) whilst the right resembles an oil painting depicting the Russian Front ! Movie footage has yet to be edited ...No soundtrack will be needed at all. It is its own BIG BANG BOOGIE.So coming shortly at a blog you know ...is BBBB which is Berlin's Big Bang Boogie. Shorter than I thought , here it is ,

the very special boogie

As 2011 Counts Down To 2012

The year has been , it's almost gone .

Along will come another one

What will it hold for you and me ?

All we can do is wait and see
Yet this much I can say for sure .

A Happy New Year to you and yours

A Good Hair Day At Sassoon Berlin.

There is no such thing as a bad hair day when it comes to Vidal Sassoon . Today in Schlutterstrasse Berlin all the staff made it a really special Christmas even for everyone . Children passing by stopped to press their noses to the window and wonder at the visions. It's a tradition in every German Sassoon salon to have the final day before Christmas working in fancy dress. These people are amazing and so creative. I think you'll enjoy this collection of photos which illustrate talent with a capital T .
A big thank you to all, for not only did they make my day , they gave their permission for images to be used in order that you too can enjoy . Happy Christmas was their message and is also mine to all reading this .

European Council - Number 10

European Council - Number 10
At last a British Prime Minister who has kept his word and put the interests of the British before those of Germany and France.
Whilst other members lacked courage due to their being 'in debt ' or through fear ,Mr Cameron was steadfast . Brilliant.
It seems Frau Merkel a physicist, attempts to find a chemical formula aided by Mr Sarkozy who, as head of a country sliding into recession is joined at the hip to Angie in her vain attempt to give value to what is little better than monopoly money.
As one who lives here I meet numerous Germans who are sick of the Euro and long for the return of the D Mark. The madness of the Merkel and Sarkozy rettungs paket makes for hilarious stage comedy . Mathias Tretter a German comic sees it for what it is .
As for Nick Clegg and the British Press please do us all a favour . Be proud of Mr Cameron . He went and had more guts than any.
As for those who likened him to Chamberlin .There's a joke . Blair was the second Chamberlin , He gave our rebate away .
The British Pime Minister has nothing to apologize for. His first duty is to Britain . Not to Brussels . I for one say 'thank you '
*click on European Council to read David Cameron's speech .

Blond Bond in Berlin

 

Spotted yesterday whilst riding along Wilmersdorfstrasse. This play on rather well known words made me laugh, stop my bike and take the photograph.

A Window On The World

It's no secret that snow domes are , for me , magical . My little collection has grown as friends on their travels have spotted an item, bought then brought . Others I've found . The countries are UK, Ireland, Scotland, America, Australia, Austria, Spain, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland, Hong Kong, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Turkey and so it goes. Most items contain a famous landmark or depict national dress. Some hold memories and never cease to surprise me. Finding a suitable home for these 'treasures' hasn't been easy but at last I did. A week ago delivery men brought to the door but assembly was the next problem. It needed two people and here a very good friend stepped in .She's amazing and together we solved the puzzle. The first proved a nightmare, the second was plain sailing . Here's Little Miss Fix-It and the finished product. We rewarded ourselves with Sekt and Aperol . Then came the arranging of schneekügel for which a data base is needed !

East London In Berlin

Yesterday cycling around this city I made sure that Mehringdamm number 33 was worked into my route .
The reason being I was keen to see and sample the new British Restaurant ,' East London' . This fabulous place is open all day and serves the very best of British food . Their produce , delicacies and flare are excellent . On entering one is struck by how unusual and creative the decor is . Clean lines and toning colour schemes set the scene . The staff are friendly and service is very good .A feature I like is a huge glass wall window which enables the kitchen to be seen .It's spotless and the staff are likewise seen at their very professional work. These few stills are my 'appetizer ' for you. For too long British Cuisine has been ridiculed. It has a wealth of excellent dishes . Breakfasts , salads , roasts , three course set menu each day or a la carte .For those who wish there are vegetarian options .
Guess who is returning ?

Opening Hours ... Mon-Thurs 08:00-22:00 / Fri 08:00-23:00 / Sat & Sun 10:00-23.00
U Bahnhoff Mehringdamm or Bus M19

Sunset , New Moon and A Christmas Star

As I left one of my favourite shops in Budapester Strasse the sunset was wonderful and coupled with a waxing crescent moon, magical. For a short span these two heavenly bodies created 'stage lighting' over the City Christmas Market. Thus a must stop , must photograph moment for me . Hope you like it .
Coming towards the end of an extremely busy but fantastic day it counts as an early Christmas present , though not my first .

Happy New Year .

Some of you may think I've got dates mixed , but that isn't so . Today being the first Sunday in Advent marks the New Church Year . What celebrations and what a joy Advent can be . This Sunday just one candle on the Advent wreath was lit . Next Sunday , two and so on until the fourth . Later off to the Christmas Market at the Gedächtnis Church and Europa Centre .It was full but not unpleasantly so. The atmosphere was terrific as was the gluhwein. Among my finds was a shop specializing in Snow domes .Talk about seventh heaven .If you've never experienced a real German Christmas Market then do try it .Well worth a fun weekend and take home some unusual presents .The short video is made up of stills . *There are numerous markets in Berlin. Each is unique and worth seeing . Every German city offers such with colour, fun, spices, food and so much more ..... So whether it be Hamburg ,Munich, Cologne , Leipzig, Berlin ,Dresden or Hamburg ( to name but a few ),you can't go wrong.
*Berlin has 60 Christmas Markets this year .Imagine how many litres of gluhwein and kilometres of sausage that will be .

Christmas In Berlin

No country does Christmas quite as well as Germany . Their decor , celebration of Advent from day one, markets, food ( especially chocolates and spicy biscuits ) is fantastic. As one who's never been a Christmas fan at last ,thanks to Germany things are a changing. This year will be different. Motivated I am. On Saturday on calling in Green Piece Florist to buy some flowers it was clear that Frau Köhler had surpassed herself with her festive creations. Decorations for Advent that simply took my breath away. The staff were busy arranging the displays. It was therefore with excitement that today I set off plus camera to take photos and make a film or two . My suggestion :-
If you are in Berlin , call in, to this colourful winter wonderland with an aroma that is Christmas, Christmas , Christmas. I've treated myself . This is Christmas and a time for enjoyment all round ......Above is a collage of items .Beneath a video made using iMovie .

This is a season for all ages .It doesn't have to be very expensive and as you will see from the pictures , colours bring light and warmth to the winter days. In all her work Frau Köhler uses quality products,natural products and thus her designs are not only beautiful , they are safe .

Planes Approaching Tegel Airport Berlin

A great place to sit and drink coffee whilst watching 'the world' arrive in Berlin.Sadly not for much longer as the powers that be plan to close Flughafen Tegel in 2012 with the opening of Berlin Brandenburg International Airport. It will be missed by more than yours truly .
Arriving early for an appointment today at Kurt Schumacher Platz I took a few minutes to film the air traffic as it dropped from the sky to a very low altitude. Always a sight to behold at this major traffic junction, today was more so due to intense cold and fog . Simply no idea what types of aircraft these are so any one with knowledge , here's your chance . I just love planes .Fact . To all who arrived on those flights let me say "Welcome to Berlin". The good news is Sunday should bring sun but only 4°c .

Berlin to London From The ZOB Berlin

At this moment I should be in Ireland. However, due to factors beyond my control it was a lottery not to be. In three little words,"I was ill".
This posting first since Nov 6th ,with my Panasonic Lumix felt good. So here's a travel alternative tip .
With another frantic travel season looming as Christmas draws near, a quick look at any of the airlines shows lowest prices (pardon the pun) to be rocketing skyhigh . So it was with interest I took my gentle exercise for today by strolling to ZOB .
This is the Berlin Central Bus Station ,catering for long distance journies . Well designed it isn't an eyesore . Here's a film featuring the Berlin to London bus .Having interviewed those who are familiar with the route and asked them why, the reasons given were varied and often multiple ..a) financially sound ,b) stress free, c) good cancellation with full refund policy ,d) no rude treatment. In the film you see a bus leave for Paris and then out goes the London vehicle. It was all very civilized and maybe, just maybe one day I'll test my staying powers.
For none German speakers the abbreviation ZOB is Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof Berlin-Internationale .
It is reached via U12 UBahn to Kaiserdamm , SBahn Messe Nord ICC, Bus M49, X34, 104.

Cafe K Serves Tapas and Music .

It was by pure chance that I spotted the poster advertising this event . My idea of a must try / must do . The result ? Absolutely fabulous .

The George-Kolbe Museum is a delightful place and there is the Cafe K . Their coffee and food are always good and last night was no exception .The group, are truly international, and very good musicians. Their programme was made up of soul , bossa nova and jazz classics .

Getting to the Cafe K is easy .Take the SBahn to Heerstrasse or the bus M49 , X34 to S Bahnhof Heerstrasse . Turn into Sensburger Allee and walk down 100m to number 26.

Tip For Today 'Recycling - cycling'

Save old toothbrushes and use to clean your bicycle chain. Dipped in chain cleaner these items are ideal for getting in all the links and working wonders .

Yes there are lots of fancy and expensive, chain cleaning gadgets out there but trust me, this tip saves you money, does a 1st class job and is 'recycling' in every sense of the word. Dirty chains rust and are likely to break . This can be avoided .

* I use a well known brand with a built in battery. These are excellent.

A Load Of Taramasalata

€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€
It's really unbelievable but sadly true . The world stands on the brink of a very real financial crisis and for what ?
For a country with little to offer save seasonal tourism and Taramasalata. Greece. I for one would like to know just how much money and debt write offs they expect from a Europe desperate to keep a rather worthless common currency . Let the Greeks go back to their zero tax paying , early retrirement ,their Taramasalata. and the Drachma but at their own expense .
The constant comparison of Europe to the USA and it's many states one currency is a false one. They are but one nation with one central government.
Pouring money into Greece is akin to burning money. Not only is it coming at our expense but it will precipate a 3rd financial crash . When this happens ,don't believe your mortgages and debts will be written off Greek fashion . Indeed nobody will even give you a cheap tub of out of date Taramasalata.

So Nice To Come Home To

Yesterday I called in 'The House Of A 100 Beers for my lunch' . Half a roast duck plus veg and dumplings . Choosing what to drink was a problem for one who isn't a real fan of beer. Then I spottted an English Stout made with Oatmeal and it sounded so good I decided to fly the flag and bring out my English side with pride. A fantastic choice. Dark as can be with a ruby red rim it had a head on it which was beautiful. Almost too good to drink . Then followed an idea .. Buy some ,take home , combine with very ripe bananas to make the ultimate in a smoothie . It was made and left to chill in the fridge .What a night cap to come home to ! It brought to mind two songs one of which was sung at the Jazz Club I'd been to . ie The Man I Love and You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To .
The man is Samuel Smith who was responsible for this incredible stout and yes, it was excellent to come home to.

note ) serious beer drinkers , especially Guinness fans may say 'The Lady is A Tramp' for such sacrilege.
I make no apologies

Berlin, Bahn ,Bikes and Binz

Saturday 22nd October and rather than have that extra hour in bed, I got up at 4:40am .Left the flat at 5:45am and was at Berlin Hauptbahnhof for 6:10 am . The reason being I wanted to try my Dahon folding bike out. ie ) Get to the station, buy a coffee, then start to fold the bike. Done in no time .I can only say that it's a pity that a trek to the seaside from here takes so long . Four hours to be exact . Yet it gave me several good photo opportunities and at the other end a long bike ride ,not to mention getting lost in a forest .The little Red Riding character is not me . Binz is Binz . Sorry Germany you cant do seaside as well as Scotland and Ireland. (Dont despair few can) .They have the gold medal for majestic natural structures, fine beaches and that X factor. Never the less I had fun, lots of food and am now planning the next trip plus bike.The D Bahn remains as ever , brilliant. Now that does deserve a gold medal.

The Kudamm Shines In the Festival Of Lights.

A very short film of a night to remember .Out on my bike and down to the Kudamm only to find that the police had made sure tonight belonged to us .ie ) the pedestrians and cyclists. We were free to walk, wander, wonder and film just as we wished .No traffic was allowed .I met some terrific like minded people .We took pictures of one another , for each other and swapped notes. My movies will take some time to edit in iMovie so here's hoping ....As usual the organization and constant clearing up proved impressive .The streets always shine here .