Hamburg

Last night, in the long Twilight, we heard a huge racket of music and raucous singing coming from the canal below. The source was a party boat, all young Dutch women. The boat tied up at the little dock, and a trio of girls leapt off. The remaining contingent belted out a selection of Madonna songs and other hits that were popular probably round the time they were born.  General high spirited conversation and singing continued for the next ten minutes until the shore party returned bearing multiple boxes of pizza. It was as if a switch had been flicked as the crew fell to earnest pizza consumption, and the boat slipped away down the canal, almost in silence.

We went for a last walk around the canals, which become very peaceful in the late evening. We really enjoyed Amsterdam and are sorry to be leaving.

This morning we were packed, breakfasted and out the door by 7.45, and thanks to the efficient Amsterdam tram service, we were on the platform waiting for our train about twenty minutes later. There is a diagram which purports to show where on the platform your carriage will arrive. Either it was seriously wrong or I misinterpreted it, as we had to sprint along about four carriages to get to ours. Lots of other people made the same mistake, so we managed to get on and stash the box and the bags before the crowd dragging huge bags arrived.

There was a nice young American couple sitting next to us. Their first trip to Europe. They were booking travel and hotels as they went - we were impressed by their youthful energy and optimism, they were impressed and a bit envious of Anne's organisation when we showed them our red book with all our bookings.

The next leg of the journey was a little less pleasant. The train was crowded, the German lady in the seat next to Anne seemed to resent someone in what she clearly thought was her space. And a lot of the view out the window was just a green blue as the train belts along at up to 200 kilometres an hour. 

 Hamburg station is, like most busy railway stations anywhere, a rather confronting place and very German as well. It was a struggle to dredge up a few words to get through the simple transaction of buying lunch.

But we found our way to our hotel ok, and laid low for a couple of hours, watching by pure chance ex FBI Director Comey's testimony. I have a feeling this might be footage we are going to see a lot of, something pivotal and historic.

We shuffled down for dinner in the bar next door, good German food. I got the small snitzel, but it still covered the plate. Just as well I did not go for large. I went out to find a supermarket to get a few supplies, encountering a few of the colourful locals en route - probably just as well I don't understand much German - then went for a walk down to the nearby water way to commune with the local feathered population. They seem pretty chilled.

Tomorrow, up early and onto Copenhagen.