When in Berlin Birkenstock it

After days of walking an average of 7-8kms in my thin red rubber “Havianas” the feet were getting very sore. I decided that I needed to invest in the sandal that Germany is famous for! The Birkenstock…I walked out of the shop with them on and my happy feet are still smiling!

Also found a good sale and a quarter of the price than in NZ for this lifetime investment!

Saturday began as my now normal routine has become….up to the hospital to tune into the live commentary of the All Blacks vs South African rugby test with Russ…glad we weren’t watching, and I decided just before half time would be a good time to visit the supermarket (that is if you are in NZ and it would be quiet). Not so in Berlin, where everything is closed on a Sunday, there I was with all the suburban locals doing their weekend shop.

Back for the 2nd half of the game which ended in a deflating draw!

As Russ’s roomy Hans had slept all morning, we decided to take a garden walk before lunch! We figured that Hans had been given some relaxing drug so he didn’t up and run off again in the middle of the night.

I left after lunch I went for a walk to the mall.

Down my leafy cobbled street, very pretty on a summers day….

This is quite a nice suburban area, sporting the coloured houses and gardens synonymous with what we imagine to be ‘German’.

Busting out into high rise apartments as I got closer to the retail area…brollys decking them out in colour!

While no where near a beach, a sand pit playground – with the old seesaw and climbing frame reminiscent of my youth (that was a wee while ago).

The aim of this trip was to give my feet a break and early into the mall found just what I was looking for, my Birkenstock’s.

A quick shop in Aldi for Russ’s treats – no not these, but needed to share a 5 litre keg (of quite a nice beer) for €9.90 (about NZ$17.00). Again Germany is renowned for being the home of beer and it is a cheap commodity! (Thank goodness)

Well I got back to Russ around 3.30pm and old Hans was at his best (or worst) again for the afternoon. While not actually escaping today, he treated us to some nude wandering, prowling, yabbering and generally disturbing behaviour! If they don’t knock him out again, I am seriously going to ask if Russ can move to a more peaceful environment!