Grey cells green

Brunch @ Anna Blume

This time last weekend, we were having brunch at Anna Blume in P-Berg. It's a very cute florist/cafe that is heaving with local families and couples. We each ordered a breakfast platter which contained 2 choices of sliced meats, 3 cheeses and a selection of finely prepared fresh fruit. Mine also came with a delicious wasabi jam that was a perfect complement to the soft cheeses. In our bread basket, there was enough bread for twice the size of our group - my favourite was the pumpkin seed roll.

After a couple of hours strolling and checking out second hand shops, we were ready for a 'hot' hot chocolate (fortified with a shot of whiskey) and a small sliver of belle helene tart.

In memorium

This memorial - for the murdered Jews of Europe - was designed by Peter Eisenmann and after considerable controversy, opened a few years ago. It's a very sombre experience walking through the 'field of stone' and it was very disconcerting to see people running through the avenues; laughing, shouting, and playing pranks on each other.

Tiergarten

Desolate

When walking around Berlin, almost every block has some type of development project in progress - it feels like the city is in a constant state of flux.

A reminder

The plaques that mark where the Berlin Wall once stood are a frequent site when walking around P-Burg and Kreuzberg.

Gothic

I loved these trees that wouldn't be out of place in a Tim Burton or Guillermo del Toro fantasy.

Family day out

It was barely zero degrees outside yet this family were having a blast. Dad was teaching daughter how to create the large bubbles that blew right across Potzdamer Platz while earning a few euro in the process. Cracking.

The Wall @ Potzdamer Platz

I found the layers of faded chewing gum oddly compelling.

Make your way to Berlin

Fiona Banner @ Tate Britain

As part of the Duveens Commission, Fiona Banner has brought two fighter planes into the Tate Britain galleries. This is one of the most thoughtful and arresting installations I've seen in a long time.

Sunday markets

The best hot pork roast with crackling, rocket and warmed apple sauce from the Hog Roast stand at Clapham food markets. This was followed by a huge raspberry jam-filled lamington from a French baker. Demolished sans picture.

Brunch

Weekend papers + homemade bacon/egg muffins.

900 years

Chichester Cathedral, completed in 1108.

Cloisters

Last week, I went to Chicester University for a conference, the content of which was mostly very dry but I met some interesting people and the Cloisters building was lovely.