Last Monday I went to Hamburg for the first time, to talk to a group of journalists about New Zealand, NZ lit/writers, and numerous other topics, which may or may not have included the various international versions of NEXT TOP MODEL. (I wasn't the one who brought this up. Or was I?)
It was a warm and mostly sunny day, which was a relief after so many days/weeks of dire weather in the UK. It rains pretty much every day at the moment - not just in Glasgow, but everywhere. I flew out of Heathrow that morning in the drizzle and returned to a rain storm.
In Hamburg the lunch I was attending with the fabuous Tanea Heke took place at Au Quai down on the harbour. I only had a short time to wander around before lunch, so the pictures (below) are all taken just steps from the restaurant, or from the terrace of Au Quai. Sorry they give such an abbreviated view of the city.
I'm calling this post 'Hamburg I' because TMiddy and I had already planned a trip to Hamburg later this year, for his birthday at the end of November. Then we'll have more of a chance to explore its waterways and parks and museums, I hope, and all its Beatles-related history (TM), and all of its Weihnachtsmarkts (PM). The pieces of Hamburg I glimpsed on this trip were by turns impressive and beautiful and grand. And it wasn't raining.
This week we're back in Glasgow, and I realized that it's been c five months since I spent every day of an entire week in Glasgow, without bolting up to Stirling, or making one of my endless excursions further afield. In fact, it's Tuesday night now, and I haven't even left the house since Saturday. I keep waiting for the sun to come out, so I may be here for some time.
Paula, if you could arrange to have some to that rain sent to the U.S. it would be appreciated.
Posted by: Barry Ahearn | July 15, 2012 at 10:01 PM
Hello Paula, I'm visiting your blog from Germany, because I am reading your "Rangatira"-novel. As you mentioned, Hamburg is an amazing city. But are you certain to visit it in winter? OK you like to go to the "Wehinachtsmarkt" but I fear the weather condictions could be as bad as Paratene described Birmingham ... But if you are going to visit Hamburg and love to eat italian food, then I recommend a small restaurant near the famous "Landungsbrücken":The "Pastalozzi" (http://www.pastalozzi-hamburg.de/index.htm). Kind regards, Christoph
Posted by: Christoph | September 06, 2012 at 08:40 AM
Oh, oh. I should have been reading more careful. Your are living in Scotland by now ... Well than the weatherconditions in midwinter-Hamburg are familiar to you. Forget about it, but perhaps you like the Italian restaurant ... Regards Christoph
Posted by: Christoph | September 06, 2012 at 09:41 AM