Continuing my swimming weekend, I visited another abandoned swimming pool in Lichtenberg.  This time the danger aspect was not an issue as - although you are still not supposed to go there - you could practically walk straight in without climbing over or through fences.  The old diving boards were really impressive!  The place was used as a training venue for the Olympic Games of 1932 and 1936.  Long walk to get there and I had a little too much sun but worth it.  1 point for the visit (as it's my second abandoned swimming pool) and half for the danger aspect.

Next to the abandoned schwimmhalle in Pankow is a much nicer pool for swimming!  It was a lovely day swimming outside in the very cold pool!  There is also a lovely area to have picnic.  Surprisingly it wasn’t that busy, so I think I will be going there quite a lot over the summer.  1 Point

Well, the summer is here, which means I can once again do two of my favourite things in Berlin, search for good street art and break into abandoned buildings!  So, this week I visited the abandoned schwimmhalla in Pankow.  It wasn’t too difficult to get into, just have to climb through the fencing and under the tape around the entrances.  It was build in 1971, has two pools and a sauna.  It was shut in 1996 and reopened in 2001 before it closed once again in 2002.  Now it is completely ruined with glass and graffiti everywhere.  Apparently they want to restore it again but there is no money to do so.  Fortunately, there was no one living there so it wasn’t too scary.  I particularly liked that old lockers that still had the keys attached.  Also some of the signs were great - who would smoke in a swimming pool anyway?!  2 points for the visit and 1 point for the danger aspect.

I had a lovely evening the other night at the Sally Bowles Cafe in Schöneberg.  ‘A Cabaret Story’ is a historical review that is shown on the first Thursday of each month.  It traces the history of cabaret from Paris all the way through to Weimar Berlin.  The female singer was outstanding, such an amazing voice!  The music from the pianist was also great, and the male lead had me bowled over with laughter!  Such a funny night and highly recommended!  2 Points

It was lovely I met up with a friend and her child and went to a city farm.  Once again, it was a place very near me but one I have never visited.  Actually, I didn’t even know there was a city farm near Mauerpark.  Horses, sheep and ice-cream, a lovely way to spend a late afternoon. 1 Point

After quite a stressful week at work, it was lovely to find a new cafe that serves fantastic waffles and ice-cream!  We sat there for ages and enjoyed chilling and people watching.  Actually, I pass it nearly every day on my way back from work but it’s always too busy so I have never actually been there - now I know why!  Highly recommended! 1 Point

Also on Sunday, I met up with an old friend who used to live in my home town, and went to a textile exhibition.  I got some great ideas for new projects and particularly liked the work made from paper-pulp ... watch out everyone, you will be getting lots of paper-pulp gifts from now on!

On Sunday, I went to see a friend play in the Bergmannstrassenfest.  He plays in a swing band called  Jerry Jenkins and His Band of Angels.  It was really cool music to dance to and a lovely party atmosphere for a Sunday afternoon.  We topped off our visit with lovely street food and mojitos!  1 Point

Last week I took a backstage tour of the Berliner Ensemble.  The threatre was founded by the playwright Bertolt Brecht, whose Brechtian style of theatre is world renowned.  The elderly man who showed us around acted himself in Brecht’s plays whilst Brecht was alive.  He was a fantastic storyteller and really brought the whole thing to life!

The theatre itself is absolutely beautiful inside with ornate plaster figures, marble staircases and lots of gold covering the ceiling.  Backstage, we had the very rare opportunity to view under the stage, which is a vast mechanized scenic space including a huge wooden revolve (seen in the picture).  In total, there are five stages, including a beautiful outdoor stage for singing performances and several studio spaces.  It really did make me want to work back in the theatre!  3 Points (as it is a world famous theatre and VERY difficult to get a backstage tour of - I've been trying since last December)?

I managed to watch a small part of the St Christopher Day Parade on the Kudam.  Loads of people and a great atmosphere.  Really enjoyed watching everyone enjoying themselves.  Can’t believe this is the first time I have ever seen this!  Great though.  2 points