Still knitting

1.5 squares left to knit... and 1 to partially unknit to fix my earlier laziness. Fifteen squares are now blocking, ready for the big sew-up next week.

The big question is: which design to use for square number 20?

Too busy knitting to blog!

I had a brainwave on the way home from our anniversary holiday. Why not finish the silver/grey blanket squares into a wedding present for my brother? It could be a picnic blanket, throw or something to snuggle under in the evening on the patio. And it's more personal than something shop-bought.

A great idea... if I'd only thought of it earlier! I counted the completed squares when I got home: 7 (I'd hoped it was 9 or 10). But still do-able if I crack on.

So far (9 days later) I've completed 18 1/2 blocks out of the 20 needed, although I've still to unravel part of one to fix a weak spot. I've got about 3 weeks left, so all my "spare" time will be knitting, blocking, sewing and binding.

I'm enjoying the challenge, and I think it should look good when it's complete. My wrists might be happy when I finish the knitting part though...

Last full day in Berlin

We visited the Bauhaus museum in the morning. I learned loads about the Bauhaus style & philosophy, and it was fun to see the original of a chair we have a copy of in our house.

We walked through part of the Tiergarten, then took the underground to Aleksander Platz (to give my back a rest from more walking). The busker at the station sang to me!

A late lunch in the Galerie Kaufman (postcards written) and a short browse - I resisted buying German yarn and he didn't buy a posh watch.

We meandered back to the hotel, with a drink in the Sony Centre at Potsdamer Platz, then had dinner at the German restaurant across the road. We'd nearly been a couple of nights ago, and it was lovely. A warm atmosphere and a delicious goulash with friendly service. It's a shame this is our last evening...

A cultural day in Berlin

In the morning... The Deutsches Technikmuseum:
- textiles
- papermaking & printing
- Zuse: creator of first programmable computer
- and of course the old cars!

Lunch near the Brandenburg Gate (bratwurst from a kiosk) then we went to the Bundestag:
- the views from the glass dome were stunning
- the audio descriptions were very well put together: enough to feel that we knew what we were looking at, but not so much that it was overwhelming.

Dinner at a Thai restaurant, followed by the orchestral concert:
- Daniel Barenboim as soloist and conductor
- Mozart piano concerto
- Bruckner symphony
- all in an elegant concert hall (understated grandeur)
We sat behind the orchestra in the choir seats, which were sold as the cheap seats but we thought they were great!
- we could see the conductor's face (including when he told the french horn player off)
- we were right above the tuba for the symphony - I loved the bass notes!
- I could even see some of the music sheets

We also visited the Mini showroom (after seeing a Bugatti Veyron yesterday among the selection of cars in the VW showroom), and clocked up a few more miles on foot...

Starting our anniversary holiday

We arrived yesterday evening, and found our hotel eventually after getting off the wrong train just in time, then taking an unplanned detour in the rain. But we got there!

A relaxed breakfast this morning, then we joined a tour of Berlin: 4 hours including a short stop for coffee, and I feel that I'm starting to get my bearings now.

We took the lift to the top of the TV- Tower (203.78m) for a panoramic view of the whole city.

We walked back towards the Brandenburg Gate, stopping to buy tickets for tomorrow evening at the Konzerthaus. Daniel Barenboim conducting pieces by Mozart and Bruckner. I'm looking forward to it.

After dinner at the Italian restaurant over the road, we're sitting in the hotel lobby/bar, where the TV is showing the BBC coverage of the Queen's diamond jubilee concert. It's strange watching this in another country!

My feet are aching... we've covered quite a few miles... but it's been a good day.

Starting our holiday

1. Whitehaven harbour was full of flags this morning for the festival. I enjoyed walking through the market on the harbourside before the crowds got there.

2. After trying silly numbers of pairs of shoes, I've finally found some that fit! Maybe comfortable combined with vaguely fashionable was asking too much...

3. No more work for over a week - the anniversary holiday starts today!

Learning not to procrastinate

My challenge to myself to leave work by 5pm continued this week...
- I think the latest was about 10 past, the earliest was 4:30
- it's encouraging me to focus a bit more during the day: rather than thinking "I'll come back to that" I try to finish it off straight away
- I've completed 3 (out of 5) annual reviews this week, and where I would normally have stayed back when it was quieter to prepare, this time I've managed to fit it in during the day.  And they went quite well too...
- I've started a couple of tasks that I've been putting off as needing time to think through (and guess what - they're not so complicated after all)
- I finally remembered to bring in the booties I'd made for a colleague's new daughter.  I'd intended to make a bigger pair (she was 10lb 1oz, 3 weeks ago) but decided to bring them in anyway and explain I can replace them if needed.

I haven't managed as much guitar practice this week, but one step at a time...