Coronavirus has changed the world. Tens of millions of us are now under lockdown which can be challenging in every way. From homeschooling to home office, this is my personal account of what life is like for us as a family living in Berlin. It was commissioned for Germany’s international broadcaster, DW. I filmed everything… Continue Reading
The Berlin Wall – the Before and After
28 years ago today – on November 9th 1989 – the Berlin Wall came down. I was only a teenager at the time, but I have vivid memories of watching what was happening on the TV news. I also remember adults telling me that this was an historic moment. Of course it was, as the Soviet… Continue Reading
Berlin in Colour: The Festival of Lights and Autumn Falls
It may be mid October, but Berlin has enjoyed a weekend of wonderful weather and colour. And we have made the most of it. Last night we had front row seats to Berlin’s Festival of Lights. We were on a boat tour along the River Spree with our German friends, whom we met whilst living… Continue Reading
Brexit, Business and Booze
Last week I had the privilege of interviewing five experts about the on-going British drama ‘Brexit’. I was in London for the annual conference of the Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) – a body that represents a £50 billion industry. Members are currently unimpressed with the government’s Brexit strategy – particularly the continual in-fighting.… Continue Reading
France says Merci to my Grandfather
A rather wonderful thing happened last week. My Grandfather, Donald Forrest, received one of the highest French honours for his involvement in the D-Day landings during the Second World War. He was appointed to the rank of Chevalier in the Ordre nationale de la Légion d’honneur, by the French President. Unfortunately it arrived too late… Continue Reading
Sending Love to Manchester from Berlin
For the second time in just two months, Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate has been illuminated in the colours of the UK’s Union Flag. It follows two terrorist attacks on my home country. The first, in March, was in Westminster, Central London (where I used to work). Six people, including the attacker, were killed. The second took… Continue Reading
Berlin: How my street tells the tragedy of the Holocaust
I live in Berlin’s former Jewish Quarter and all around me are memorials to the many Jews killed in the Holocaust. Among the cobble stones in the pavement outside my apartment are brass plaques. Each one details the name and age of the former residents of Große Hamburger Straße – and to which concentration camp they were deported. Just… Continue Reading
Exploring Berlin by Boat and by Bike
I’ve enjoyed being a tourist this week. My family were here for a few days from the UK and what better way to see Berlin than by boat and bike. Boat Tour Our boat tour was an hour of sightseeing along the River Spree. I’d pre-booked our tickets with BWSG for around €12 per person. We… Continue Reading
Brexit: As felt by a Brit in Berlin
Over the past nine months, I have managed to avoid the B word in this blog. It’s been a tough one because it potentially affects tens of millions of us living and working in the European Union (the UK included). But today, I can no longer ignore the elephant in the room. The formal process for… Continue Reading
Berlin: Taking the Baby to Work
Last week I attended a workshop in Berlin aimed at getting women who are on maternity leave back into work. It was held at one of the city’s popular coworking spaces. But this one has a unique selling point – at Easy Busy Space you can bring your baby to work. While parents are working… Continue Reading
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