Make some noise: St Martin's Day

The sound of thumping bass booming through the streets of Berlin is hardly a new phenomenon. But when it's accompanied by a brass band and kids with lanterns, you have to start asking questions. And so it was that I stumbled upon St Martin's Day.... or rather, it bumped into me.

Little known in the english-speaking world, St Martin's Day is the celebration of the Roman Catholic saint, Martin of Tours (316AD - 397AD). Mainly recognised in the Catholic regions of Belgium, Holland, Austria and Germany, the festival takes place on the evening of the 11th of November and involves parades of schoolchildren through the streets, who sing songs (with musical accompaniment) and move from door to door collecting treats.

It's popularity in traditionally Protestant areas of Germany remains a bit of a mystery however. Perhaps as a type of 'euro-halloween'? al

It's back! The big freeze is on again.

One week ago on the streets of Prenzlauer Berg coffee drinkers were lazing about in the late autumn sun, talking of an "Indischer Sommer". At 23 degrees Celsius, it was the warmest 26th October in Berlin's history.

But now in November, the locals are nowhere to be seen - sub-zero temperatures have frightened everyone inside and even the sun has decided to not come out this weekend. For the next few months the forecast looks good for indoorsy-types: Meterologists say that a warm October means a cold winter. al