THE BERLIN WEEK-END

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 10 November 1928, Page 11

THE BERLIN WEEK-END

r pHE week-end flight from town to ■*" country is becoming more and more general in Germany. It has a natural attraction for Berliners, for surrounding the city, like a necklace of pearls, is a chain of lakes threaded together by rivers and canals. One may, if one has the time and the means, Jnzilv encircle Berlin by water, or, for that" matter, travel aver half Germany, and there is unlimited scope for walking, boating, bathing and camping out. Tn gaps between pinewoods, lakeside villages stretch right down to the water, and holiday-camping children laugh and shout, along the sandy shores, and the tents of the week-end camper arc dotted along the banks. On some of the nearer lakes the woods have been cleared to make wav for the mansions of the wealthy and the villas of 'the well-to-do, and here pleasure gardens slope gently down to brightly painted and beflowered landing stages. Nearlv every lake has its “'Swim and Sun-bath, ’ ’ and some, like Wannsee, have great “Free Baths” capable of accommodating 50,000 people and more. On a fine Sunday in .the summer months the strand at YVannseo, but for the opposite shore of the lake, is just like the beach at Margate on Bank Ilolidav.

The sporting' outfitters display every kind of folding tent and collapsible boat. Business firms liave not yet. generally taken up. the midday or 1 o’clock habit of leaving on Saturday, and the afternoon is usually well advanced before the crowds at the main stations reach their .greatest density. Then the platforms are thronged. There is the typical family group, consisting of father, mother, two or throe children, and possibly an aunt or uncle, with tom-, rugs, spirit stove, and an ample store of provisions. Then there are the couples, sometimes husband and wife, sometimes young engaged people. These have heavy rucksacks if they arc bent on a trekking holiday; and if they are for a water holiday drag behind them .a collapsible canoe and tent, folded into a convenient form and' running on wheels. There are groups of young men and groups of young women making for one or other of the * innumerable rowing clubs. There are excursionists in parties, and “wander coteries” of boys and girls, one among their number generally carrying a guitar.

A CHAIN OF LAKES

The trains roll into the station in quick succession, pick up their heavy loads, and move "off slowly to Wannsee, Potsdam, Erkner, Grunau, or the like. Before many stations have been passed the ample hampers come into request, and the foundations of good humour arc laid upon sausages, ham rolls, and fruit., to uvhich the babies do as much justice as their elders. Tt is only a short walk to the waterside, where the train discharges its freight.-. At once couples unpack their collapsible canoes oi pick up 'their boats at a boathouse, families take, their seats in the waiting trekkers set off afoot, through the/wbods.

The apparatus of pleasure has been brought, to a state of high efficiency in this belt, of lake and woodland surrounding Berlin. Expensive services of steamers and launches ..ply between the lakes. ’Waterside cafes run in a sea of white tables and coloured umbrella shades down to white palings at the water’s edge. 'Red .geraniums and purple petunias blaze .above the palings, and When dusk blots out their bright reflection from the water its place is taken ,by that of fairy lamps and Chinese lanterns. Occasionally a pleasure steamer passes, and the blaring Of a small but very brass band, accompanied by the sound of voices lustily singing “Trink, trink, Bruderlein, trink,” comes echoing, across tfhe water.

It is interesting! to see that among the summer-house colony the “flag dispute” is fighting its declining battle. Some of the arbours fly the black-red-gold Republican flag, a few the red emblem of Communism, and fewer skill the blaek-rcd-white of bygone days. On the water itself the flag dispute is more in evidence. At one place, the boathouse of a staunchly Republican rowing club, is painted in black-red - gold stripes from floor to roof. The red is hardly ever seen on the water, but expensive motor-boats dash past with their fortunate occupants trying hard to look as if the black-red-white fl'ag fluttering behind them were the most natural thing in the world. The smaller craft, which are usually the private property of their occupants more often fly the Republican flag or the pennant of a rowing club. Occasionally the old Imperial ensign flutters proudly at the stern.