My Japanese maple tree is losing its leaves thick and fast. Someone will have to gather them together, preferably today. I am hoping that I can persuade No. 1 son to do the necessary. Yesterday he gathered all my wilted hosta leaves for the compost bin and I did not even have to ask.

Yesterday evening seemed to be an evening of celebrations. It all begun with Germany. Although we have a Swiss TV for our national news and interests, it is not so big in the entertainment sector and so yesterday evening we watched the  German TV, especially Berlin, celebrating 30 years since the Berlin Wall fell and the people again regained their freedom to live their lives without being under the eyes of the Democratic Republic of Germany. We do not have any connections to East Germany, but I remember watching the scenes on the TV 30 years ago of the event. One of the aspects at the time were that various musicians got together and gave a spontaneous concert in Berlin. That was the time of Udo Lindenberg, a well known German singer, and even David Hasselhoff and Bruce Springsteen appeared in various concerts.

We now have 2019, 30 years later, and not only Berlin and Germany have changed in the meanwhile, but also the music. We watched the 2019 concert for a while, Mr. Swiss and I, but half an hour was enough. Where is the good music gone from 30 years ago? Yesterday it was beefy men walking around, making strange movements with their arms and singing, no it was talking, music known as rap. I don’t mind rap as such, but there are limits, and not for such a concert. Otherwise there were a couple of singers, and music being played on a “laser harp” whatever that is. It did not sound so good. Times have changed and the atmosphere of 1989 was no longer. 30 years ago I was 43, not a young chicken, but I did enjoy the popular music. Today it is no longer music, more a microphone speech with music in the background.

Eventually Mr. Swiss retired to bed and I was left with a TV programme of my own choice. Usually on Saturday evening on the British TV there is one of those hospital programmes “Casualty” where you get all sorts of emergency cases being delivered to Holby City, a TV hospital.

However, tomorrow is armistice day, when we celebrate the end of the last world war. For some time I have proudly been wearing my poppy in my coat and yesterday evening was the memorial concert in the Albert Hall in London. Even the Queen and the family were present  sons, daughter and all the attachments. I got caught up in the programme and I must say it was a little moving to see the old soldiers being celebrated. On one part of the programme they featured the relief of Monte Cassino in Italy, one of the war turning points. Everyone helped the Brits and it was amazing to see the various nations that took part. A special mention was made to the Polish soldiers that had  escaped from Poland and had their own British regiment. I was particularly interested as my dad was at Monte Cassino doing his bit, and came home to tell it all, which many did not. These little events are now probably lost amongst the youngsters, but when you grew up with it, you realise there are some things that should not be forgotten.

So let us return to today’s world, and yes the sparrows and the gang are at it again, gathering together and eating as if famine would be breaking out. I filled up the bird feeders this morning as usual.

It seems that the crow an magpie are getting more friendly and even appear together, although when food is concerned it is every bird for itself, no matter what sort.

I remained at home yesterday and made no excursions into the wilderness. It was not a very friendly day and I was quite content at home. Today is Sunday and I again I will not be going places. It is also quite cold outside and I have a few things to deal with at home. I detached my two hoses from the garden connections yesterday and will put them into the cellar for their winter hibernation.

I am now off to further pastures so enjoy the day – see you later.