For example (in addition to the many lies being told seemingly totally accceptably and described in a previous post) when outdoor temperatures drop to zero and below, I can often only manage about 17 C inside my flat.

I know from previous years that reporting that to Hausverwaltung (Schön & Sever) is a waste of time. They don’t care, and at best refer to the plumber who knows the house (Detlef Spinka) who ignores my messages.

That is also Berlin.

Normally, it is not a big problem for me – I don’t like having more than 19 C indoors anyway, and can manage with socks and blankets when I am at home, but having people around can be a problem, for example for the bridge evenings.

I am currently considering cancelling tomorrow’s film evening, alternatively have loads of candles to light in the hope that they will raise the temperature a degree or two, and provide the aforementioned socks and blankets. But candles are also a health hazard.

During some of the past much colder winters, I have shut off the bedrooms and only used the living room (where I have also slept) and the kitchen.

The colder is it outside, the colder the radiators. That is Berlin logic. Or schön & Sever Logic, or whatever.

And before anybody says “Mieterverein” for the thousands time I am not the “Mieter” and therefore have no rights ;-).

For now, I shall just enjoy the views in the knowledge that it is only a matter of weeks till it becomes warmer outside and no longer a problem.

In the meantime, here are some photos from last night’s snowfall: