Berlin - the touristy photos

More photos from the recent trip to Berlin. It was ace.

The 'Buddy Bear' exhibition that is on in Berlin at the moment - Matilda with the 'Welcome' bear

With the Cameroon bear!

The view of Alexanderplatz from Matilda's flat

Matilda was a great tour guide. We started off at Berlin cathedral.

Next to part of the Humboldt University on Unter den Linden

The Brandenburg Gate

The Holocaust Memorial

The line of the Berlin Wall is marked in the cobbles. Matilda on the "E" east side of the marker.

On the "W" west side of the wall marker

At Checkpoint Charlie

At the East Side Gallery - a remaining section of the Berlin wall that has been turned into an outdoor art gallery

The variety of the different sections was great

Tristan's favourite part of the East Side Gallery

One of Matilda's favourite sections

A mural in the old eastern part of the city

"Human determination can achieve anything. This house used to be in a different country"

On Sunday morning we went to the Berlin Wall open-air museum at Bernauer Strasse

They have laid grass along a former section of the wall, and there are lots of displays and information boards all about the history of the wall - it is really interesting.

Matilda at Bernauer Strasse open-air museum

Metal posts form a sculpture to show the route of the wall

Tranmere on tour at the Berlin Wall open-air museum

One of the pavement plaques marking the former route of the Berlin Wall

Recharging our batteries with Kaffee and Kuchen at a cafe next to the open-air museum - they even had a bit of wall and an old sign in there!

Outside the gates of the flea market at Mauerpark

We went to the HUGE flea market at Mauerpark before I had to head home on Sunday afternoon. It had hundreds of stalls and I could pick up some presents for my girls. I had a brilliant time in Berlin - thanks to Matilda for being such an ace hostess and tour guide!

A wonderful day out at Battersea Park Children's Zoo

On August 14th, we went up to London and had a day out at Battersea Park Children's Zoo. It was utterly brilliant. The place was perfect for young kids. Loads of animals to see, but in quite a small area; lots of other things to play on (climbing frames, sandpit etc), picnic areas, you name it - We would recommend it to anyone - best place we have been in ages.

On the way (at Clapham Junction)

When we first got there

Some animal snaps - first, the lemurs!

Kezia in the meerkat bubble!

Cavies

An emu!

Following the 'counting worm' (donkeys in the background)

Daddy & Kezia had a go at driving a remote-control boat - we weren't very good at it!

We love this photo - who will topple over first??

The birthday wall

Children who have birthday parties at the zoo get their name painted on a multi-coloured birthday wall. Kezia was delighted to see that there was a Kezia and an Isabel next to each other!

The first funny wooden board to stick your head through...

...and the second one

Kezia & Daddy manning the fire engine

As well as all the animals, there were all sorts of things to clamber on and play in - it was great.

Family self-portrait - goofing around!

Kezia - very pleased with her bracelet from the zoo shop - the place was brilliant - we would recommend it to anyone!

Berlin - the footy photos

Tristan spent last weekend visiting Matilda in Berlin. There are loads of touristy photos to come, but to start with here are the ones taken at the football match we went to. We went to watch Union Berlin v Bochum. It was great; nice ground, great atmosphere, and Union came from 1-0 down to secure a well-deserved 2-1 win. Ace!

Taking our place in the crowd

Bochum manage to clear a Union attack

Now that's what I call a flag!

The hardcore home support!

Our fellow supporters in our stand - it was packed - the atmosphere was great

All smiles at the final whistle - complete with Union Berlin beer mug - a bargain at 1 Euro!

A very happy 'Unioner' at the final whistle

Going to the footy was ace!

An arty map

Last week Kezia decided she would like to do an arty map of somewhere in the world. She chose America, so Daddy drew a rough outline and then Kezia did the rest.

Getting started

Making progress

The finished map (huge areas of Canada and Mexico seem to be under water, but let's not worry about that!)

Getting cleaned up

Cousins' get-together

Pam, Sam and her boys came to see Grandma & Grandad's new house recently, so the cousins could all get together as well. Here they all are with Norman. (Clockwise: Harry, Bekah, George, James & Kezia)