Day

trip to Dresden. An old post box. A mural from DDR times, city safe? broken bridge, Playmobil and my favourite slogan. An early start, lots of walking (including 250ish steps up a narrow spiral staircase), and a beer garden. A lot of the buildings were destroyed. What remains is a mix of opulent baroque with DDR concrete Plattenbau. To my eyes a curious contradiction of wealth and also the lack of it. On a trip to Leipzig the difference was less stark. All trains were on time which was a treat. 

Caught up with the papers on the way. I was shocked to read about red bull in Baruth in Brandenburg. The factory there produces all the red bull and has taken control of the local water supply. Brandenburg is one of the most drout probe areas where forest fires cause problems every year. The tactics used to control the water supply are similar to those employed by a well known car manufacturer (see yesterday's blip). I wish the legal system would find a way to prevent this and tax them on the resources they use.