Circling through Poland - with a bit of Germany thrown in.

[OZDUCK]

We also finally went to an area we having been wanting to go a number of years - the Spreewald. It is just over an hour south-east of Berlin by train. We have driven past it several times on the Dresden-Berlin Autobahn and seen pictures of it from friends in Germany. Also we have twice had a few hour stop on the edge of it in the town of Luckau. It encompasses a large inland delta of the Spree River and is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

It is also famous for the productions of gherkins.

Spreewald gherkins - Spreewald

www.spreewald.de

The Spreewald - Spreewald

www.spreewald.de

Spree Forest - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

You get off the train at the Lübbenau station and it is about a 1 km walk to the town itself and another few hundred metres to the waters edge. The local bus service is so infrequent as to be useless. We purchased a Brandenburg Day Ticket for €35. It is valid from 09:00 to 03:00 the next day and covers up to 5 adults. It is usable inside Berlin and Regional Express Trains within the Berlin transport zone.



Murals on the station underpass give you an idea of what to expect.







The walk to the old town - you will not be alone.



An old water tower



In town





The Fire Station

 

[OZDUCK]

We had to decided to take a boat tour through the various canals. We had seen YouTube videos about the experience like this one -

There are several companies to choose from and we just took the first one we came across. It doesn't operate from the main harbour. Payment is only by cash. I can't remember the price but it wasn't cheap however it is a unique experience. The total trip was around 4 hours including about an hour to have lunch.

The wharf



The punt we went on. It was actually pretty comfortable but a hat is a necessity.



Our punter. He gave a detailed commentary in German but also did his best to explain it again in a less detailed manner in English.



The tour starts by passing under this bridge.



At peak periods the waterways must be really crowded if all these extra boats are an indicator.



There are bike and walking paths all along the waterways and bridges like this were a common sight. Along with the kayakers.



I gathered the waterways were usually around 1 - 11/2 metres deep. About 60% of them were natural.

He had an esky in the back of the punt and you could buy small bottles of schnapps, beer or what I had Gherkin Lemonade. The prices were reasonable.

It was nice but certainly had a cucumber taste. The tasteful gherkin man was actually a bottle opener.







This amphibian was pulled up on the bank

 

[OZDUCK]

Some more of the waterways. There were numerous dragonflies of various colours but they were extremely hard to capture on a phone. Ducks were around in abundance but although we could hear some other birds we didn't see many of them.

Beavers and that escaped feral pest Nutria are said to live here but we never saw any sign of them.



It is really a lovely place on a warm summers day



Cows by the waterside



Kayaks were often around us. We saw more than one canine passenger.



There are two locks on the loop. They were both built in the last 10 or so years. You can see the portage for canoes and the like.



Kayaks did share the lock



There are a number of waterside houses





Many of them had attractive gardens

 

[OZDUCK]

Our lunchtime stopping place






All the outside tables were taken so we had to eat inside. The choice was pretty normal German fare.





Fish Brötchen with local fish, chips and , naturally, cucumbers



Almost a cucumber raita



A beer and a raspberry with soda water



This was part of a small village separated by the water



A picture perfect setting. The suspended boxes on the waters edge are to keep their fish catch alive.





Mrs Duck enjoying the view.



A number of waterways intercept at this spot




There are plenty of signs on the paths. There is a second language on these signs. This is Sorbian/Wendish the language of the Sorbs who have lived in this area since the early middle ages. Their language is of Slavic origin.

 

[OZDUCK]

The local fire station



There are a couple of other places to get a meal and a drink in the area.















Even postie uses a punt



I would think this would be a plum job. In summer anyway.



Another lock



The first lock we passed through



The sigh tells us that there is a way for fish to pass through



Fresh Honey







The end of the trip



I would come back to here in a heartbeat. It is really lovely. Next time we would probably use the walking trails if we still can. I wish I was 20 or more years younger so I caould kayak through it as well.

 

[VPS]

The local fire station

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There are a couple of other places to get a meal and a drink in the area.

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Even postie uses a punt

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I would think this would be a plum job. In summer anyway.

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Another lock

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The first lock we passed through

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The sigh tells us that there is a way for fish to pass through

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Fresh Honey

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The end of the trip

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I would come back to here in a heartbeat. It is really lovely. Next time we would probably use the walking trails if we still can. I wish I was 20 or more years younger so I caould kayak through it as well.

That looks absolutely amazing

 

[OZDUCK]

That looks absolutely amazing

It was!

 

[drron]

Amazing place. Hopefully I can get to see it.

 

[RooFlyer]

Rhubarb drinks that are becoming increasingly popular in Germany.

How is it made? As a lover of everything rhubarb I used to brew sparkling rhubarb drink when I was young.

Loving the TR, showing me lots in Germany that I would never think to visit.

 

[OZDUCK]

How is it made? As a lover of everything rhubarb I used to brew sparkling rhubarb drink when I was young.

Loving the TR, showing me lots in Germany that I would never think to visit.

Some of the places we have visited have been bought to our attention by various German relations of my wife. I have found about a lot of the others via YouTube. Often German ones with subtitles but also DW Travel is pretty good.

Here are a couple of recipes for the rhubarb drink.

EXPAT’S CRAVINGS: RHABARBERSCHORLE – RHUBARB SPRITZ

When I’m traveling in Germany and look for a refreshing, non-alcoholic drink with my meal, I ask for Rhabarberschorle (rhubarb spritz). I never liked sugary beverages, and don’t care fo…

brotandbread.org

Easy Rhubarb Syrup for Sweet but Tart Rhubarb Soda and Cocktails

This rhubarb syrup is easy to make, with a great balance of tart and sweet to mix with sparkling water, on dessert or to make coughtails. This classic recipe is based on German rhabarberschorle.

www.baconismagic.ca

 

[OZDUCK]

Just to prove we actually spent some time in central Berlin

Charlottenburg Palace and park











The flowers and bushes were in full bloom





We stayed at a hotel at Spittelmarkt. Nearby in Köllnischer Park is the Wusterhausische Baer. "It is the last remaining part of the Berlin defenses , which the Great Elector had built between 1662 and 1683 after the Thirty Years' War"

Wusterhausener Bär – Wikipedia

de.wikipedia.org

The Brandenburg Gate by day and night





When I put my phone camera onto a night setting the colour of the lights was completely changed

 

[OZDUCK]

This trip was also the first time we made it to the East Side Gallery







The most famous painting and the only really crowded spot



Waterside of the gallery with the Oberbaumbrücke in the distance



Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Strasse. Later on in Poland we meet up with our German friend who did a day trip into East Berlin with her school in the 1980's. She did not remember it fondly.









The Mauerpark is not far from this memorial. It is a large "linear park' on open ground left after the removal the Berlin Wall. We went to the famous flea market there.

Mauerpark Flea Market — Landmark Review | Condé Nast Traveler

Find Mauerpark Flea Market, Gesundbrunnen, Berlin, Germany, ratings, photos, prices, expert advice, traveler reviews and tips, and more information from Condé Nast Traveler.

www.cntraveler.com

The market is in the distance

 

[OZDUCK]

I spotted this rather unusual fountain as we passing by on a tram so we got off to have a look.

The view from the tram stop





As you might guess by the bulls it is a 'Fountain of Fertility'. Its construction was quite the story. Its design won fourth place in a competition for a fountain to be erected in Buenos Aires and after many delays and misadventures it was eventually erected in its current location

Arnswalder Platz – Wikipedia

de.wikipedia.org

If you have a fascination with right wing media tycoons who also seem to have a fascination with multiple marriages you should visit here. Here being Axel-Springer-Strasse and the 'old. and new buildings of the media enterprise created by Axel Springer

Axel Springer - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

We stayed at the Cosmo Hotel in Spittelmarkt. My wife is standing on our balcony. It was pretty nice on and centrally located. Unfortunately it was fitted a special "Klimatronic Cooling and Heating System" claimed to be environmentally friendly. That unfortunately was code words for - doesn't actually cope with temperatures above 30 C. Luckily we could open the windows and get a good breeze. Unluckily we were on the route to a major hospital so got plenty of siren action.



Some views from our balcony







Sunset view. The dome belongs to the French Church in the Gendarmenmarkt,



This interesting bridge was just around the corner from us