Ich bin eine Berlinerin

Going through photos this grey Sunday morning, I rediscovered pictures of our trip to Berlin in June 2012. I've always had a fascination with the city, home of my parents. Henny very sweetly gave me this trip as a birthday present (yes, how lucky am I). We stayed six days and had an amazing time. The weather was on our side, which was unexpected from the forecasts.

We arrived the first day of Euro 2012. Spectators were coming in via Berlin for some of the matches contested in Poland, and the Germans are football mad anyway, so huge screens were set up all along the river Spree "beach bars". Even though we're not football fans, we parked ourselves with a few beers, mojitos and a currywurst. A convivial atmosphere pervaded as, unfortunately, we watched the Netherlands lose in the shadow of the Reichstag.

Henny and I easily found my grandparents' house in Tempelhof, the house my mother grew up in. Here's the city gate that spans the street almost next door. I remembered when I was last there even though it was circa 48 years ago.

Our friend Burkhard came from Hannover to spend a couple of days with us. He organised a very full programme which included delicious meals at some of his favourite haunts, a trip to the Neues Museum (the building is a beautiful marriage between preservation and renovation which houses treasures of the ancient world, including the bust of Nefertiti), a drink at Clärchens Ballhaus on tango night (one of the last surviving Weimar-era dance halls), and a trip to the top of the Reichstag. Erste Klasse, lieber Freund. Grosses Dankeschön und dicke Knuddel!

Pure glee at the sausage counter in the KaDeWe food hall.

Although we were busy the whole stay, we hardly cracked Berlin. There's so much going on and so much to see. I can't wait to go back. It's a city that will always hold a powerful attraction for me. Henny, you're the best. Thank you for an unbelievable birthday treat.