Wednesday 5th - Monday 10th November

We spent a lot of time over these days walking around Zurich and finding areas we had not visited before. The weather was ideal walking weather, some days warm enough to go out without a jacket. We have found some lovely walking paths in forests nearby and have seen some beautiful scenes, both autumnal and wintery. On Sunday we went walking near the airport and could clearly see the snow covered alps - a lovely sight.

Tuesday 11th November

An early start today, we left our apartment at 5:30am to catch a flight to Berlin.  At Berlin airport we purchased a "welcome card" which was an excellent buy - it gave us unlimited travel on all bus, train and tram routes for the 3 days as well as entitling us to reduced entrnce fees to many places of interest. 

The rest of Tuesday was taken up with finding our way around and getting our bearings in Berlin. The buses were an excellent way and very frequent. A city full of contrasts, so much to see and do. 

We also found a huge department store that I just had to visit - well I had to warm up somehow! 

For dinner we found a typical German restaurant and then hopped on a bus for a night time tour of the city.

Wednesday 12th November

After a good breakfast we were set up for a day of sightseeing, as the weather was again warm and sunny we set off on foot. Our first stop was the television tower where we had views over the whole city and beyond. From there we walked for a further 6 hours, visiting the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag where we went to the top of the dome 

for more views and lots more including bombed sites, before ending the day at the

 "Topography of Terror" this was quite chilling and brought home the suffering and persecution that had prevailed. 

Our vision of the wall was far from reality - we had imagined it would be 3 or 4 feet thick but this is not the case as it is only about 1 foot. We also saw memorials to many people who had been shot or drowned whilst trying to escape from the east

to the west.

 This was another reminder of how desperate some of them had been prior to 1989. 

After dinner we took another night time city tour on a different route.

Thursday 13th November

After another good breakfast we set off to walk to the Jewish museum - walking through Check point Charlie on the way -  so much to see

 and read, we could have spent days there. We experienced the Berlin trains which in some cases like the trams were in need of refurbishment.

After another very interesting and informative day we headed back to the airport for our flight back to Zurich. Flying with Air Berlin we had complimentary hot and cold drinks and a savoury sandwich - better than Flybe!!. 

Friday 14th November

Recovery day today! we were both quite tired after our busy time in Berlin, Richard met a former colleague for lunch and Rosie chilled out for a couple of hours! We found time for a couple of walks, my thinking is that the sunny weather won't be around for much longer so we will not want to walk as far or as often.

Saturday 15th November

A grey start to the day but with shades of blue appearing we go out, it is definitely getting colder! After lunch we get on a tram to Oerlikon an area we had not visited before other then travelling through it - lots of shops but too cold to stay out too long and anyway on Saturdays almost all shops close at 4pm.

We have found time to read and relax in the apartment today - lovely.