Berlin-Potsdam-Kirchmöser-Magdeburg, 20-22 May

Blogg written at N52,13094 E011,63722,The nearest MacDonalds. Info only for Dan

Lucky ducks. 

An ordinary house on Wannsee. 

An ordinary house in Potsdam. 

Nja this is the summer palace of Fredrik II (Fredrik den store eller Alte Fritz).  Sanssouvi a truly beautiful building and park. Built 1745. 

Potsdam is also the place of the Potsdam conference where Attlee, Truman and Little Josef met to confirm the decisions from the Jalta conference. 

Russian style house in in the Alexandrowka part pf Potsdam. Built as a friendly gesture when the Tsar died. 

Spargel again. This time at home. Arrived at idyllic Kirchmöser. After one lock and 4 hours in the boat. 

Kirchmöser. Spot Carl. 

Hallo Elbe! after 3 locks (one very angry lock master; VERSTEHEN SIE NiCHTS....bla bla bla)

Full speed on Elbe under the Mittelllandskanal. Akvedukt enormous. 

N52,12487

E011,64621

Now in Magdeburg, Zollebe Marina, beautiful calm arm of the Elbe, which otherwise has a current of about 6 km/h

Idyllic spot but too far to bathroom,situated in a Volvo Penta service barrack.

Staying in Magdeburg only because we need to LB in a safe place while we take a break and visit the surroundings. Magdeburg has pleasantly surprised us....

OMG are we in Barcelona??

No this die Grüne Zitadelle designed by an artist Hundertwasser, built in 2003. We were shown a pic of the previous building. A real Honni apartment block. (Honni being the dictator of the DDR)

The golden balls on top are visible from miles away.

A long distance selfie at the 11th century kloster für die Frauen.

Took Leslie on 7 km detour to view the Tausendjahr building. Very suspect. We cannot figure out what it is there for.  We will ask someone. Spot Carl. Took the spoor wagon back to city centre without paying. In fact it is quite possible to travel on city bus and train without paying because nobody checks tickets, even in Berlin.

Berlin, Spandau, 18 may

The Zitadell in Spandau had an unexpected side to it. Besides the buildings from 11th century there were statues from the victory parade. Read above. 

Spot Carl amongst the heroes. 

Where's Carl?

Berlin, Wannsee 17 May

Leaving the city after a night on the town, Scandic hotel! Met thousands of Dorthmund supporters on their way to Olympic stadium for match against Bayern Munchen. Met the BM supportets  on the U-bahn . Berlin taken over with yellow and red. BM won.

S-bahn to Wannsee. An area with rich berliners amongst them many Jewish business and cultural dignitaries. This artist, Max Lieberman being one of many who had their homes taken over.

The infamous "Wannsee Conference" took place in this mansion in 1941. 

On the other side of the water is the famous Wannsee Strandbad. 

Otherwise Wannsee is beautiful and well worth a visit.

Berlin 16 May

Siegessäule
Such enormous monument has to be taken sideways. Spot Carl.
It was erected to commemorate the victories in the wars with Denmark 1864, Austria 1866 and  France 1871.

Memorial for the murdered jews of Europe
Covers a vast area of symmetrically shaped concrete blocs of different heights.
Spot Leslie

Walking through the memorial.
Spot Carl

OMG... we have arrived already.
Best döner in Berlin
Spot Carl!

Spot Carl.
Leslie has read the book on the discovery of Curry Wurst by Uve Timm.
Was so fascinated that we had to visit the CurryWurst Museum. Can be recommended, light educational easily accesible interactive information on spices, the use of cardboard plates, (eco or not?) and of coarse the history of CURRYWURST.
Mmmm very tasty. with pommes and mayo!!!

Self powered mobile bar. Oral fuel intake, pedal like mad.

Oranienburg to Berlin, Marina Lanke, Wednesday 14 may

We didn't realize that Oranienburg is the place where KZ Sachsenhausen is situated. Visited the Sachsenhausen Menorial and Museum.  Took many hours to go through the actual site. Was horrific and extremely moving. To lighten up our mood Carl had a haircut and we visited Oranienburg Schloss a present from Fredrik Wilhemlm I of Brandenburg to his wife Lovisa Henrietta av Oranien-Nassau year 1650. 

At last on our way to Berlin which we have been looking forward to for ages. Cannot believe that we are really here. Passed through the lakes surrounding Berlin with beautiful shoreside houses and million dollar boats, like ours, ha ha.

In Marina Lanke inBerlin

Aren't we going to eat soon? I am hungry. 

No let's have another drink! 

Oderberg to Oranienburg continued

Three years waiting to arrive at the giant lift machine at Niederfinow. 36 meters elevation in no more then 10 minutes. 

Inside the mechanical lift. 

Checking out the HSE of the lift. 

Little bird (sädesärlan) taking a break. Resting on the rope to the left. Very nice strech of the canal. 

Oderberg to Oranienburg 13 May

Ilsken svan vaktar bryggan

Carl at last standing next to his favourite car Trabant! At the staalbau next to the marina. No trabants yesterday because of ruhetag.