Waking up to day four back in New Zealand, rain and thunderstorms predicted, it’s hard to grasp this time last week we were on the other side of the world…praying to get home.

In August, winter in New Zealand, the days are short, the grass is wet and the winter sun comes and goes between rain and clouds.

The kiwis migrate to warmer climates for a sun soaked holiday, and those of us who cannot, crank up the heat pumps to a tropical inside warmth and somewhat hibernate!

The last few days have been a time for Russ to catch-up with his friends and family (mostly by phone) and taking it easy after the drama of the last few weeks. Sue is preparing to hit the workforce again tomorrow…you know, a clean pair of jeans, nice top and maybe not my “Birks” ( which are working well as slippers).

We await specialist appointments and a “where to from here” feeling is creeping in. In the meantime, I have renovations to do on the cottage, in readiness for summer living and a wedding in the wings…

It is wonderful being back on familiar soil, and my walking legs are already getting lazy with a car at hand!

While we are very happy to be home in a damp cool New Zealand, and our 2019 big OE adventure took an unplanned turn, we had some fantastic adventures in the European world!

We started with two kiwis and were joined along the way…

The waiwera crew flew from various corners of the world to all catch up in our favourite second home in Malta.

Father son time with George and Russ, thru thick and thin….George was with us in great times and not so great times (earning some big son brownie points!)

Caught up with some old friends – from Australia and Switzerland, and making new friends along the way…Russ has a knack of collecting locals and t-shirts!

Modes of transport; trains, boats and planes (and bikes). Feet also were well exercised, on cobbled and dusty streets…

A variety of food, finger, fancy and fast!

And the liquid refreshments, from a variety of beers (all good), two for one cocktails (patiently worked our way through a range of these in happy hour) lots of water (sparkling and still), coke in tiny cans and glass bottles.

Some wonderful couples moments, in Malta, Vienna, Zurich, Poland and of course Berlin. Sun, sea, heatwaves, thunderstorms, rain and wind, most of it warm in the northern hemisphere summer.

While the adventures were cut a little short, we saw some sides of life that not many experience and some little side stories as we got up close and personal (at times a little too personal) with the humans of Berlin.

We can now look back at Berlin with a moderate amount of fondness, now we know it will not be our home!

Just going to borrow this image of Waiwera from John Murray, who has been keeping us up to date with the local news.

By the time you read this, Russ and I are safely, happily and very tiredly back in New Zealand.

As we were getting roadblocked every step of the way, with a medical application for oxygen availability – Russ made the decision that we would book with a different airline, not apply for oxygen, knowing they have it on board, and head home.

Booked to leave Monday 5th, Berlin time to Heathrow-Singapore-Sydney-AUCKLAND…. one more spanner in the works was thrown at us……a huge strike with ground staff at Heathrow airport, came out in the news , to be in effect Monday and Tuesday, our first stop, London!

Of all the luck the airport we chose was cancelling feeder flights for Monday left, right and centre!

So again plans change….after a two hour phone wait Sunday morning (and another cost) we changed flights again, quickly packed and headed to Heathrow on Sunday afternoon in readiness for the long haul on Monday night! So another two nights in another hotel, close to the airport. (We are really over this hotel life, I need a kitchen!)

London, airport suburbs, hasn’t got any prettier in the last 30 years, since I was there, and summer is still winter temperatures, flying visit of a day and a half, totally enough…but it was nice to be in an English speaking country, where we could respond at least somewhat intelligently (except for the house maid man, who asked me to speak to him in French – oh gosh really, nevertheless I tried)

And Monday evening rolled around and we were off (a little apprehensively – praying all from here on in would go to plan) Riding the public transport in the airports, everything from wheelchairs To electric tandem chairs, to the flint stones car! I got to ride most of them too.

Well, everyone, we are very weary, but have never been so happy to be home in familiar surroundings, even though it is cold. We have eaten too much, sat too much but made it in two tired old kiwi pieces! We both need a months R&R to recover from our unplanned adventures in Northern Europe…thanks for taking the ride with us and helping keep our heads above water.

It’s been a bit of a blog blowout in Berlin as our six days planned stay, has turned into three weeks – possibly about two weeks and five days too long so far, but who’s counting.

However, we have got the feel for everyday life in Berlin suburbs – like an AUCKLAND holiday in Papatoetoe!

As I cannot continue to write stories about the people we meet, (Hans has moved onto greener pastures) today I decided to write a story about the Best of Berlin….

Berlin Beer

The beer is probably the number one on the list, from a cost perspective (60-90c a can) and a wide range of pilsners, which I have come to enjoy!

Berlin Boys

Number two (which would have been number one in different circumstances) – was to have these two boys together!

Berlin Bikes

And third on the list are the bikes! Colourful bikes, powerful bikes, rental bikes and Postie bikes! Bike lanes on most streets, and a common mode of transport for Berliners and tourists alike!

Berlin Bridges

The odd glimpses of the waterway bridges we have seen, probably come in here fourth – as the passes over European rivers are always worth a moment of our time, no two are the same.

Berlin blooms

I have been hard pushed to find beautiful gardens and parks …. hence the continued search for colour and well cared for green and flowered spaces. Most of the time flora is limited to flower and plant stands near the Hospital…coming in fifth in the Berlin ‘B’ list.

Berlin Buildings

And sixth on the list are the Berlin buildings, many littered with graffiti and the post war construction is somewhat uninteresting….apartments, office blocks and houses looking tired and unwelcoming for the most part. The malls are malls (universal structures of noise and claustrophobia) The hospital is white, the hotels are rooms with a loo and the cafes can’t make good coffee. (When McDonald’s coffee is the best on offer, as even the locals say)

Anyway, another day another dollar spent, and every day in every way we are getting better and better.

Reminiscent of my childhood (and that’s a long time ago) when nothing opens on a Sunday….except McDonalds (which is not reminiscent of my childhood, as it didn’t exist), Sunday in Berlin promises to be a quiet relaxing one!

George and Russ relaxing on the foyer chairs before George left us this morning, feeling not flash with what appears to be a tummy bug! Pains yesterday and progressing overnight…

Needless to say, he couldn’t eat dinner last night or breakfast this morning, and headed to the airport this morning about 9.30am, feeling rather nasty. He is now home in Norway, tucked up in bed and only inbibing water. Great way to end his holiday!

However, his not so favourite housemaid, he has nicknamed Gertrude, was sporting her newly rearranged trolley, after I gifted her my little range of “Carrybag” handbags.

She was thrilled and promptly made new containers, out of our designer bags, for her soaps in one, shampoos in another, tea and coffee supplies in another and so on. Trev, you may recognise some of these on her trolley, the small ones I took to use as handbags!!!

Good Old Gertrude, takes pride in her work, and still yabbers away to us in German incessantly!

After George left, Russ and I took our morning stroll to McDonalds for the best coffee in the south (coupled with the bacon and egg McMuffin deal) No wonder my jeans are tight!

And back to the hotel for a chilled afternoon. Russ has taken the car park walk, his back is feeling better, and breathing under control…so that’s us for a sleepy Sunday!

Hotel life is not much fun, when food is limited to a tiny beer fridge (after a 6 pack of beer takes priority)

Indian Uber eats x 2 last night…as first one didn’t arrive for 1.5 hours and ETA was 40 minutes – we reordered from another outlet. First one arrived and devoured ( just) when second one turned up. I guess it’s Indian again tonight. Hope George’s tummy will cope!

We are yearning for a home cooked meal! Meat and three veg!

Today was more relaxed, Russ is now dealing with a sore back again… so George and I went in search of supplies.

Lineament, arnica and a back pillow. A little event in the TEDI ($2 shop), when I was digging in a bin for the cloud pillow. The dog beds on top, burst out and dominoed a 5 foot high stack of plastic containers. A little mess to clean up, but its times like these that we appreciate not understanding German! Anyway, we left with our blue cloud back pillow for Russ.

Finally a canine! Waiting patiently in the front of the $2 shop for its owner.

Time for supermarket visit, to ensure we have Sunday supplies tomorrow (with everything closed).

Warm sunny morning and the “Blumen” (flower stalls) all open and selling bright summer flowers. Being in the vicinity of the hospital these line our local streets.

Laden with our purchases, we returned back to Russ, and he decided it was time to get the back moving.

A few laps of the car park, then time for an afternoon read and rest! I think even a small doze.

As Russ has not needed the oxygen since Wednesday, we had arranged to drop back the tanks to the boy we rented from on Sunday (his house), but I decided while I had George still with me we would do this today, a 5k walk there and back. Job done, and Bryan Spiewach (pronounced – spy whack) invited us in to his 20 something bachelor pad; guitars, washing baskets, skateboard, photo wall of all his adventures…he was pretty cool and very friendly (number 2 helpful German)

I have been trying to find beauty in this city, and in our walk spotted these painted hubcaps on a school fence….at least it’s colour bordering the overgrown berm.

George leaves us tomorrow and back to Norway, to start his new job and life. At least I have Russ with me now (to talk to in English) while we ponder our next move! Gotta let this back rest for a few days, his breathing has been really good!

So now I make space in my tiny fridge and enjoy my first beer of the evening!

After a very hot morning and early afternoon and nothing sorted – we decided some shopping therapy was needed – off to the mall!

Thank goodness I was still carrying the Zurich party poncho and could throw on Russ as the cold wind, rain and thunderstorms hit us as we emerged….Uber time again but he was 15minutes away and we all sheltered in a stairwell as much as we could getting rather chilly and wet!

Back to the flightless birds – these Germans are trying to beat us, but there is a reason the All Blacks are the best rugby team in the world, we keep trying new things and fighting our way back to the top!

Russ and I visited another local GP this morning (the no English speaking type) but with the aid of google translater and a very helpful patient, we communicated we needed more medication (tick) and documents signed (tick almost). Raced back to send this off to the airlines, only to be informed they then require a letter and medical report. So back to doctor, with letter in hand ready for him to sign. He, at this point, did further investigation into the medical report from the hospital and tried to call the aeromedical specialist to get urgent appointment, only to actually find out the only one in Berlin is not practicing anymore. He was very kind and held both our hands and communicated his empathy, without words, sympathising with us in our predicament. And he didn’t even charge us, he was just trying to help.

Oh oh stalemate again….I have cancelled our return trip home and investigating alternatives which will work for Russ…we will get there and on the bright side, the oxygen I rented is having a holiday in our hotel, Russ has not needed it since he left the hospital!

We have very helpful receptionists at our new hotel, the lovely doctor today and a cleaner that loves George and hi fives him, not sure why she thinks that our German gets better every day, as her conversations with us get longer and friendlier (we think)

Waiting for the rain to stop, as it is beer time on a Friday night!

Preparing for Russ to join us at the hotel today started with a 6am departure north (walk, bus, walk) to collect promised medical oxygen from the factory.

Exploring the industrial areas, but a small courier set up, DHL!

Found our destination only to be informed that we could not be supplied with medical oxygen! Russ was in charge of discharge meetings and Hans!

This place was however a BBQ pit masters paradise…but a very disillusioned Sue and supportive George left empty handed with another phone number to call (hopefully to reach an English speaking person).

Another 15 minute walk to the bus, and 15 minute walk back (empty handed). Next phone call made, and the hint of success that we could maybe rent…from a place in the opposite direction. Uber time…and an hour of processing, and we left with the required equipment and a back up bottle! Russ was under threat of being kicked out by this time and when we finally arrived at the hospital both he and Hans (whom they were also moving to another unit) were dressed, packed, beds gone and prowling!

We borrowed the wheelchair (to be returned to ward) and shook Hans hand and wished him good luck. He tried to give the books back to Russ, but they are his to keep to remember the Kiwis. Back to the Hotel (another room sorted for George) and we grabbed lunch.

Freedom on the outside deck and a good solid feed of McDonald’s (not to mention a much needed coffee).

The next excursion for the day was a trip to the international airport, on the other side of the city, to collect all our remaining luggage that Roland had kindly packed and airfreighted!

Russ had a lesson with the new oxygen and was under strict instructions to rest and enjoy the freedom of his hotel room!

Wheelchair returned, and 2km was to the train, that took us underground (26 stops) from one side of Berlin to the other…a short bus ride and voila here we are at the airport. I was going alone, but as it transpired, thank goodness George was with me.

I have decided that, if it’s not their job, they have no interest in providing accurate directions. First person sent us to terminal C, only to be told to go back past terminal B and A. The quite helpful lady at terminal C told us we had to go to cargo, I asked if this was like DHL (being fresh in my mind from this mornings excursions) she said no it’s C-A-R-G-O (spelling it out) and it’s quite far but we could walk! Ok off we set…walking again.

Checked again at terminal A after a 15 minute walk, only to be told it’s very far, through a tunnel and around the other side of the runway…well she wasn’t joking, barbed wire fences on one side (or miles) and…

Bush and little cottages on the other side, it was like, OMG where are we…. around and around in a deserted road, with warehouses and work factories…finally spied the C-A-R-G-O Sign.

Another km or more we asked a pilot (on his way home) who said it was secure area – we had to go to the checkpoint. Dammit, a back track! Again someone who didn’t know but pointed us to a row or truck loading bays, for lifts and general big factory stuff.

Finally found a very helpful man … and yep C-A-R-G-O was the right place!

And amongst all the huge freight, there they were our three bags sitting on their own pallet, and fork lifted out to the loading bay.

After two hours at the airport, the price of yet another Uber for the day became minimal in the tiredness of our bodies and minds!

So now we were in rush hour traffic and the car ride took an hour an a half.

The day was too much for George….nothing like an Uber nap!

Home by 5pm and Russ had had a lovely afternoon nibbling on cashews!

Beer time for me, and tomorrow begins another challenge – applying for medical clearance to fly!

So for the cult followers of Hans, the story is over as we say goodbye to Russ’s roomy and are all in the big wide world of Berlin.

No, I am not talking about this daily little blog in Berlin suburbia! The new (2nd hand free German book) put our lovely roomy Hans to sleep last night. And the morning paper (which I collected at 8am today) have a welcome diversion for the morning….The nurse finally realised Hans is a reader and at lunchtime he brought in another paper.

However this did not go well, a tabloid gossip paper is not welcome. Hans leapt off his bed chasing after the nurse (who had slipped into obscurity in another room), and, not being able to find him, threw it in the trash with disgust. Then quietly went back to finishing the news of the world (my paper), and picked up his book for the afternoon.

You will all be pleased, Hans was getting his dinner, when an elusive son phoned and said he was coming for a visit…about time after a week! Dinner can wait, he was very excited.

Now the kiwis, I left the hotel (check out day) and moved my bags to the air conditioned, with fridge and coffee in my room (and a bath!!) then headed to see Russ.

I got to the hospital in time to see the team of doctors…Russ is out of jail tomorrow, with a little trepidation! I spent the morning running around the streets of south Berlin arranging to have portable oxygen at hand, for the next ten days, at the hotel while we wait for flight clearance! The one we need is supplied from Munich, but I found the distribution warehouse and arranged to pick one up early tommorrow (opens at 6.30am) Russ May not need it if he relaxes but it is peace of mind for all of us!

Russ had another walking test this arvo, and George arrived at the time I was checking into my new room! Back to see Russ and I bought us all Chinese (my south Berlin go to) for dinner. We think the hospital had decided it’s time for Russ to leave, as his lunch was a miserable bit of pasta and tomato sauce!

George and I are sharing our air conditioned room tonight and then I will move him to another when Russ gets home! (As much as home is right now)

Big day tomorrow!!!