Saturday 24 March 2018
It has seemed to come round very quickly. We have both been working hard, and all of a sudden it is time to change gear, in more than one sense, and head back to Germany. I was working up until Thursday, and Friday was filled with preparations that had seemed so distant only a day or two previously.
We were given a rousing sendoff meal by some of our closest friends on Friday evening, but we were not in bad shape afterwards. Even so the alarm going off at 6:30 was a bit of a shock to the system. Final packing done, and the bins etc emptied at home, our lift arrived to take us to Luton airport. It is the second time I have been there recently and I am still scandalised that they charge you for a drop off, even if you don't park.
The airport processes were unremarkable, as was the flight. We arrived around midday, took the train to central Hamburg, and were checked into our hotel and off in search of lunch by about 2:00 local time. We ate well and then strolled through the town towards the old city. The local police had obviously been tipped off that we were coming, and had the water cannons out in case we made trouble (or it might have been because there was a demonstration about immigration issues). Once we escaped the central shopping area, there was less tension in the air and we could enjoy a leisurely walk.
We dined in a "beer-keller" type place, with hearty local food. Then back to the hotel. Its great to be able to stay somewhere really nice, and savour a little luxury.
And so begins this years adventure, I can't wait.
We were given a rousing sendoff meal by some of our closest friends on Friday evening, but we were not in bad shape afterwards. Even so the alarm going off at 6:30 was a bit of a shock to the system. Final packing done, and the bins etc emptied at home, our lift arrived to take us to Luton airport. It is the second time I have been there recently and I am still scandalised that they charge you for a drop off, even if you don't park.
The airport processes were unremarkable, as was the flight. We arrived around midday, took the train to central Hamburg, and were checked into our hotel and off in search of lunch by about 2:00 local time. We ate well and then strolled through the town towards the old city. The local police had obviously been tipped off that we were coming, and had the water cannons out in case we made trouble (or it might have been because there was a demonstration about immigration issues). Once we escaped the central shopping area, there was less tension in the air and we could enjoy a leisurely walk.
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| Water cannon, ready to deal with us... |
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| The town hall - outside .... |
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| ...and in the inner courtyard |
We dined in a "beer-keller" type place, with hearty local food. Then back to the hotel. Its great to be able to stay somewhere really nice, and savour a little luxury.
And so begins this years adventure, I can't wait.
Distance covered today - 0 nautical miles
Total distance covered - 0 nautical miles
Steve (and Tricia)
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