Renown author Hugh Mackay has written a book called "The Art of Belonging ' identifing community behaviour such as Herding and Hubs like our neighbourhoods where we as social animals are able to build social capital.
My friend of over 70 years Bill and I find that this is a theory which does not always work in practice.
We arranged to meet with another friend of long standing at the Rose Bay Hotel,located in the centre of Rose Bay for xmas drinks and lunch. I arrived early with my book and iced coffee purchased at the Super market next door,and sat in the bar with the only other two customers, waiting for my friends.
After five minutes I was approached by a male bouncer, he did not identify himself ,but he told me I could not drink in that bar, I attempted to explain that I was waiting for my friends, but he persisted.
So I moved out of the bar to the entrance steps , as not to miss my friends , but five minutes later he
threatened me with "blocking the entrance "which is three meters wide, and other customers were entering and exiting .
When my friends arrived I explained what had happened and suggested we move our venue to the RSL club 300meters down the road , which we all agreed .to.
Now Rose Bay has a number of trendy outdoor eating venues, as well as an extensive range of cafes, so there must be intense competition for the dining dollar.
In the RSL club bar are floor to ceiling glass windows facing north so the space is flooded with light and harbour glimpses.Also the prices are cheaper .
There were six tables of diners about 30 people enjoying the hospitality.
The question is why drive customers away ?
Hugh Mackay points out other thriving hubs,such as the local library , which provides books,videos,computer,and volunteers to aid elderly computer users and kindergarten services for the very young
Sunday, 17 December 2017
Saturday, 16 December 2017
THE ART OF BELONGING OR NOT BELONGING
Renown author Hugh Mackay has written a book called "The Art of Belonging ' identifing community behaviour such as Herding and Hubs like our neighbourhoods where we as social animals are able to build social capital.
My friend of over 70 years Bill and I find that this is a theory which does not always work in practice.
We arranged to meet with another friend of long standing at the Rose Bay Hotel,located in the centre of Rose Bay for xmas drinks and lunch. I arrived early with my book and iced coffee purchased at the Super market next door,and sat in the bar with the only other two customers, waiting for my friends.
After five minutes I was approached by a male bouncer, he did not identify himself ,but he told me I could not drink in that bar, I attempted to explain that I was waiting for my friends, but he persisted.
So I moved out of the bar to the entrance steps , as not to miss my friends , but five minutes later he
threatened me with "blocking the entrance "which is three meters wide, and other customers were entering and exiting .
When my friends arrived I explained what had happened and suggested we move our venue to the RSL club 300meters down the road , which we all agreed .to.
Now Rose Bay has a number of trendy outdoor eating venues, as well as an extensive range of cafes, so there must be intense competition for the dining dollar.
In the RSL club bar are floor to ceiling glass windows facing north so the space is flooded with light and harbour glimpses.Also the prices are cheaper .
There were six tables of diners about 30 people enjoying the hospitality.
The question is why drive customers away ?
Hugh Mackay points out other thriving hubs,such as the local library , which provides books,videos,computer,and volunteers to aid elderly computer users and kindergarten services for the very young
My friend of over 70 years Bill and I find that this is a theory which does not always work in practice.
We arranged to meet with another friend of long standing at the Rose Bay Hotel,located in the centre of Rose Bay for xmas drinks and lunch. I arrived early with my book and iced coffee purchased at the Super market next door,and sat in the bar with the only other two customers, waiting for my friends.
After five minutes I was approached by a male bouncer, he did not identify himself ,but he told me I could not drink in that bar, I attempted to explain that I was waiting for my friends, but he persisted.
So I moved out of the bar to the entrance steps , as not to miss my friends , but five minutes later he
threatened me with "blocking the entrance "which is three meters wide, and other customers were entering and exiting .
When my friends arrived I explained what had happened and suggested we move our venue to the RSL club 300meters down the road , which we all agreed .to.
Now Rose Bay has a number of trendy outdoor eating venues, as well as an extensive range of cafes, so there must be intense competition for the dining dollar.
In the RSL club bar are floor to ceiling glass windows facing north so the space is flooded with light and harbour glimpses.Also the prices are cheaper .
There were six tables of diners about 30 people enjoying the hospitality.
The question is why drive customers away ?
Hugh Mackay points out other thriving hubs,such as the local library , which provides books,videos,computer,and volunteers to aid elderly computer users and kindergarten services for the very young
Friday, 8 December 2017
Back Home in Australia
Since my months tour of Germany I have been home 8 weeks and with the aid of Margaret at U3A have created some order with my photos assembling them in folders of the various locations visited in Germany.
My brain is taking particular delight in examining each photo as if it were a culinary delight ,savouring each as if it were a morsel of my favourite food, avocadoe cheese on biscuit with a glass of wine.
Some photos were taken in the rain and my memory is recalling this intimately.
So not only did I enjoy my time in Germany travelling across the country from Berlin in the east through Wittenberg,Quidlinberg,Erfurt,Eisenach,Schonengen to Hamberg and Alvoslohe in the west with a moving feast of events,but the enjoyment is continuing with my photos and diary.
As Noel says locals are not interested in our travels its only us and some other friends who are finding enjoyment.
THE COST OF THE TRIP A$ 5680.00
Including air fare $ 1650.00
Air BnB Berlin $ 710.00
Wittenberg $ 65.00
Erfurt Opera Hostel Euros 52.50
Eisenach Hotel Glockenhof Euros 69.00
Helmstedt Euros 70.00
Hamburg Generates hostel Euros 33.00
Penny Supermarket Euros 57.32
D Bahn travel
My conclusion that 4 weeks in Germany is actually cheaper than 4 weeks holiday in Australia , with prices quoted
10 days in the kimberly $12,390.00
8 days on Norfolk $ 3100.00
14 days indian pacific $ 6500.00
and you have the diversity of different food,culture and language.!!!
My brain is taking particular delight in examining each photo as if it were a culinary delight ,savouring each as if it were a morsel of my favourite food, avocadoe cheese on biscuit with a glass of wine.
Some photos were taken in the rain and my memory is recalling this intimately.
So not only did I enjoy my time in Germany travelling across the country from Berlin in the east through Wittenberg,Quidlinberg,Erfurt,Eisenach,Schonengen to Hamberg and Alvoslohe in the west with a moving feast of events,but the enjoyment is continuing with my photos and diary.
As Noel says locals are not interested in our travels its only us and some other friends who are finding enjoyment.
THE COST OF THE TRIP A$ 5680.00
Including air fare $ 1650.00
Air BnB Berlin $ 710.00
Wittenberg $ 65.00
Erfurt Opera Hostel Euros 52.50
Eisenach Hotel Glockenhof Euros 69.00
Helmstedt Euros 70.00
Hamburg Generates hostel Euros 33.00
Penny Supermarket Euros 57.32
D Bahn travel
My conclusion that 4 weeks in Germany is actually cheaper than 4 weeks holiday in Australia , with prices quoted
10 days in the kimberly $12,390.00
8 days on Norfolk $ 3100.00
14 days indian pacific $ 6500.00
and you have the diversity of different food,culture and language.!!!
Monday, 4 December 2017
D Bahn Travel Montag 25th September
What better place to be when its raining than in a German train speeding through the green countryside warm and dry watching the picture outside continually changing .
Level crossings with vehicles waiting behind barriers,fields of corn, green forests,track work taking place on the adjoining line. No physical effort on my part ,a great change from yesterday.
Little German villages whipping past,no smoke appearing from house chimnies,but firewood stacked in the yard ready for the approaching winter.
We pass a railsiding with steel fabricated container waggons,for possable transport of fertilizer. Some stations display a lack of care,some even look abandoned,but the train guard's whistle brings us back to reality,our travelling speeds rise quickly.
A passenger opposite displays traditional traits by consuming a black bread and kasse sandwich .
To experience a mocrocosm of how Germany works,you have to watch a rail interchange,this I did at Fulda,5 platforms linked by underground passenger tunnels,with gradual ramps up to the platforms.
I have 15 minutes between trains ,so whipped down to Pappert shop to buy a large cheese and tomato bun and coffee for E 5.50 to sustain me on the next train journey,many people were doing the same ,Germany on the move with the help of D Bahn,very technical very precise.
My fahrplanauskunft displays all the stops that will deliver me to my destination .
On the next ICI train I sit next to a Korean gent , we chat about religion,and family,until the conductor wants E84.00 for my ticket.We decide the slow train would be cheaper so I disembark.
On my next train journey a healthy young German mother with pram and baby board the train.She displays quality care patting and feeding and loving her baby who could be 12 months old, she breast feeds the baby by draping a shawl over her baby's head and displays prudence.
No weiners to day but an ice block at Altenbeken while waiting for the train to Hanover .
I have little idea where I am but the computer has directed 5 different trains from Eisenach to Helmstead.
9am start and 5.45 pm finish.travelling through the German country side viewed through 1.5 meter x 1 meter wide windows . The soil is now darker, I can see large grain silos,my conclusion is Germany is a very green country with wald/forests everywhere.They use the timber as cut firewood is stacked everywhere.
The final train from Hanover to Helmstedt was something special,it had two stories,with lounge chairs upstairs ,it left Hanover at 4.15pm I assume it contains many office workers on their way home.The female conductor asks me to write my name on my ticket,all is done properly.
Interior of German rail carriage
This carriage properly designed and constructed for bicycles to travel with their owners,secured to a rail is the best possabe way for individuals to travel in comfort at speed and arrive at their destination fresh for further cycle travel . Top Marks Deutsch Bahn.
At some train stations I encountered problems with automatic vending machines,At one station Peter a fellow traveler assisted me.He asked where I was from,my answer "The land Down Under 'set off an immediate reaction,he was a fan of the song Men at Work, I suspect he may have been a hippie in the 70's. We travelled together for several stations and shared some stories, as he lef the gave me a hug, which was appreciated and made me think modern German have no problem in communicating their feelings
What better place to be when its raining than in a German train speeding through the green countryside warm and dry watching the picture outside continually changing .
Level crossings with vehicles waiting behind barriers,fields of corn, green forests,track work taking place on the adjoining line. No physical effort on my part ,a great change from yesterday.
Little German villages whipping past,no smoke appearing from house chimnies,but firewood stacked in the yard ready for the approaching winter.
We pass a railsiding with steel fabricated container waggons,for possable transport of fertilizer. Some stations display a lack of care,some even look abandoned,but the train guard's whistle brings us back to reality,our travelling speeds rise quickly.
A passenger opposite displays traditional traits by consuming a black bread and kasse sandwich .
To experience a mocrocosm of how Germany works,you have to watch a rail interchange,this I did at Fulda,5 platforms linked by underground passenger tunnels,with gradual ramps up to the platforms.
I have 15 minutes between trains ,so whipped down to Pappert shop to buy a large cheese and tomato bun and coffee for E 5.50 to sustain me on the next train journey,many people were doing the same ,Germany on the move with the help of D Bahn,very technical very precise.
My fahrplanauskunft displays all the stops that will deliver me to my destination .
On the next ICI train I sit next to a Korean gent , we chat about religion,and family,until the conductor wants E84.00 for my ticket.We decide the slow train would be cheaper so I disembark.
On my next train journey a healthy young German mother with pram and baby board the train.She displays quality care patting and feeding and loving her baby who could be 12 months old, she breast feeds the baby by draping a shawl over her baby's head and displays prudence.
No weiners to day but an ice block at Altenbeken while waiting for the train to Hanover .
I have little idea where I am but the computer has directed 5 different trains from Eisenach to Helmstead.
9am start and 5.45 pm finish.travelling through the German country side viewed through 1.5 meter x 1 meter wide windows . The soil is now darker, I can see large grain silos,my conclusion is Germany is a very green country with wald/forests everywhere.They use the timber as cut firewood is stacked everywhere.
The final train from Hanover to Helmstedt was something special,it had two stories,with lounge chairs upstairs ,it left Hanover at 4.15pm I assume it contains many office workers on their way home.The female conductor asks me to write my name on my ticket,all is done properly.
| Add caption |
At some train stations I encountered problems with automatic vending machines,At one station Peter a fellow traveler assisted me.He asked where I was from,my answer "The land Down Under 'set off an immediate reaction,he was a fan of the song Men at Work, I suspect he may have been a hippie in the 70's. We travelled together for several stations and shared some stories, as he lef the gave me a hug, which was appreciated and made me think modern German have no problem in communicating their feelings
Friday, 1 December 2017
Berlin'
There is much construction disrupting traffic flows in Berlin.One can overcome this by walking to historic sites like Nikolaikirche
Alternatively there are the 100and 200 bus services leaving from Alexanderplatz down Unter den linden to the Reichstag
Outside the Reichstag there is much activity with the coffee and brot vendors
Great views from the top deck of the 100 bus driving down Unter den Linden heading for John Foster-Dulles allee
Beside the Spree river first class designed apartments
Outside the Reichstag
Early designed auto in Berlin museum
Bellvue scene beside the river.Temporary pipes to?
Below this pink building in Neukolin was formerly a vacume cleaner factory Huttenpalast at 66 Hobrecht strasse,but given German enterprise is now a hotel and playground where you can sleep in an old campervan or wooden hut.
Below this pink building in Neukolin was formerly a vacume cleaner factory Huttenpalast at 66 Hobrecht strasse,but given German enterprise is now a hotel and playground where you can sleep in an old campervan or wooden hut.
Pankow
Then on to Prenzlauer berg district
Taking the next turn left down Kastanien Alle I looked in at The famous Prater beer garden which although it had some fine chestnut trees,there was no sign of life.. .
The I Pad had been misbehaving,I spied a computer service person in the area opening in an hours time ,so stopped at Le Crobag cafe for a coffee and fabulous cheese brot,to watch the passing parade.The I Pad responded to the experts deft touch,then it was down Schonhauer Allee to the jewish Cemetry.Then back to Ebeswaller station to take the repid yellow train to Pankow followed by a bus ride to Wedding and a visit to the large parklike cemetry.Thats two in a day,genug !
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