A relaxing day was planned for today. The weather was changing and I’d covered most of the places I wanted to see, bar one.
Before going there, I decided to pay Brompton Junction – Berlin a visit, partially in the hope of a free coffee and secondly because I needed a spare part. Nothing crucial, but saved me ordering from UK. On the way I ended up following a convoy of Segway riders, they looked liked an accident waiting to happen. A view clearly shared by the man at the back who looked terrified. Interestingly they were being led by someone on an electric moped, who clearly didn’t trust the technology either !
Of course today was Good Friday, so Brompton was very much closed. Still I got the photo !
I should mention at this point that the weather really had changed, what had been a balmy 25-26 with blue skies, had now turned into 8-9 degrees with a damp mist enveloping everything. Of course being from Yorkshire I continued just to wear a long sleeve T-shirt and shorts.
It might have been the cold, or just the desire to take it easy that made me decide on a little tour around a few local sights, before the longer trip. Primarily to snap a few shots of street art and a sculpture I thought might be good to see.
The sculpture was some distance away and as I was cycling through Treptow, I thought I’d detour to see a monument to fallen Soviet soldiers in the park. I wasn’t expecting much, so the small arch was pretty much in line with expectations.
However, riding through the arch it was clear there was more to come. In fact this was a memorial of truly epic proportions. I don’t why it isn’t more of an attraction. It was the sort of thing I imagined you might find in North Korea. I was actually quite impressed.
Homage to the fallen paid, I continued on, down to the River Spree to see the “Molecule Man” one of a series of three sculptures. The other two being in the States, so won’t be seeing those anytime soon !
By this stage, I’m happy to admit I was freezing, so it was back to the hotel for a hot drink and a change into trousers and a padded jacket. Then it was off towards the South of Berlin. First stop was outside the Deutsches Technikmuseum, to see a plane !
The plane in question was a Douglas C-47, affectionately known by the Germans as a “Candy Bomber” one of the many that took part in the Berlin airlift, keeping West Berlin supplied when Soviets blockaded it. Close up it is tiny and looks very fragile, it’s hard to imagine conditions inside on the long flights.
From there I was heading to Templehof Airport, winding my way through suburban Berlin, until eventually at the end of a residential street, the airport appeared . Once one of the three premier airports in Europe, alongside Heathrow and Paris Le Bourget, it too played a big part in the Berlin airlift.
Now it is all rather different, closed in 2008 the airport is a huge park where Berliners come to relax. The whole runway and apron area is open, with designated sites for BBQs, kite flying, roller skating etc. I couldn’t resist a few photos and lining up the Brompton for a taxi up and down the two runways.
So that was the end of the day. A large Greek dinner beckoned in the evening, washed down with several beers and a couple of complimentary ouzo’s. Tomorrow may be a non- cycling as it’s the last day and I really ought to go to at least one attraction !
Steady Pedals 