Yesterday we celebrated the common 111th birthday of Manu, Karsten and Olaf. Party with Liveband (House band of the Cafe Unplugged in Gryphiusstrasse). In a garden colony in Treptow. Really in the East. Authentic, no ostalgia.

Totally unplanned a spontaneous party developed at our home on Friday. It was Karsten’s birthday and our vet was in Berlin at the same time. Everybody met at our place and in a way did not want to leave, Lots of singing with a guitar and everybody had lots of fun.

One of the reasons that the vet A. was at our place was Linus who needs a new vaccination and also was supposed to be implanted a chip. With all this turmoil he of course hid somewhere and thereby avoided vaccination.

But when all had left he abandoned his hideaway, looked for us, came to Hanna’s lap and for the very first time shared our bed with Smokie. In a way, this was Linus’ breakthrough during this weekend.Listening to ”When A Man Loves A Woman”, by Percy Sledge (Play Count: 22)

Yesterday I bought some yellow tulips for our living room, and even if they not that many, they again remind me of Elisabeth’s wonderful birthday party. Though we only knew few of the guests we were integrated as if we were family members and every body knowing Elisabeth can imagine that all relatives and friends are as she is: sense of humour, open, friendly, patient. We all had so much to talk about that dancing only started at midnight, but nobody knew exactly how late it was really. And as Axel has said, there was a lot of singing. „Wien, Wien nur Du allein“…seems to be a favourite song for all faculties. Yes, there are special songbooks for university faculties, which we studied on Sunday during dinner. Here, back in Berlin, it seems as if the party was just a dream, because it was so harmonious that I nearly could not believe it.

Yesterday there was a hint of spring in the air fort he first time and I am glad that terrace work will start soon. And hopefully we will see some of the dear guests from Sweden at our place soon!!!

Yesterday we had the big birthday dinner. Elisabeth had had everything meticulously planned as you may expect from an engineer. Preparations had begun a couple of days before the event, doing a little bit each day, so that yesterday a fully home-made 3-course-menu for 30 guests was ready. In the evening there was help available so that Elisabeth did not need to do anything.

The party was really pleasant, merry and relaxed. Even if I was heavily underdressed, nobody seemed to care. What is quite unusual in Swedish parties is the very frequent common singing, everybody takes part or at least tries to. Mostly drinking songs as far as I can judge with my modest knowledge of the Swedish language.

So it seemed appropriate that Hanna and I presented 5 songs from our program on a borrowed guitar.

The sunlight wonderfully plays with the snow and the colourful wooden houses. Yesterday we had one of these clear and bright winter days which you do not have very often.

Hooray, we have arrived – and it is snowing. No thick, fat, dry snowflakes, but small, wet ones. Tis is also looking grey and dirty in the centre of Stockholm. But already when leaving the main road towards the district where Börje and Elisabeth live, the picture is changing so completely, that my opinion that Stockholm is a mountainous city is confirmed. For in Bromma there is so much snow as in the Dolomites. And it continues to snow. Finde and small, but incessantly. And as this has been going on since Christmas and as snow removal is not as intensive as in Berlin, I am glad not to have (or being able) to drive. Even the automatic system in Elisabeth’s and Börje’s car indicates again and again that we are sliding. It is good to know it, even if you cannot do anything against it.

Upon arriival in the house, Börje showed self-made candle holders made from ice. A wonder of nature and Swedish boy scout technology. Made in a bucket filled with water it is the perfect outside light in winter. They look so beautiful that we thought all evening about how to sell these cheaply-produced lamps during the World Cup in June. We are still working on it.

All the best for your birthday and best wishes for your hopefully rather long future.

We are all excited!!!!!! Elisabeth is celebrating her “zero” birthday and we will be there!! We will fly to Stockholm on Thursday and today we already have phoned twice as it is just our custom. SUPER.

Of course it should be 2006!