Berlin

Just back from a 4 day break in Berlin which was interesting. Shame the weather was so awful - rain, hail, snow, gales and more rain, almost constantly! Thankfully the sun came out on our last day so we had some respite in between the showers. Consequently we spent most of the time indoors in museums and art galleries. Culture vultures that we are! Highlights were the Raushenbergs, Beuys and Warhols at the big main contemporary gallery in the old station ( I forget the name ). Also enjoyed the Medical Museum, Communication Museum and the Pargamon Museum which is similar to the British Museum - full of ancient facades of buildings and huge statues etc. aquired back in the Victorian age one assumes when all the world's treasures were there to be plundered. Everyone very friendly and helpful. Had some nice food in various places mostly near our hotel in the West of the City. Guntzelstrasse? our nearest tube station about three stops from the Zoo. Too cold for the Zoo but we did venture into loads of shops like Ka-Da-We ( a bit like a posher Harrods ) and some weird Xmas and Easter inspired shops . Germans are mad for glass baubles, cute pixie houses, candles, Easter bunnies and eggs etc. And sausages which we managed to avoid. Didn't spot any Kartofflepuffles either? Had delicious Italian food, Indian food and German cakes! Yum! Nice to be back home in the relative warm.