Doc Strines Explores

An early start, so grabbed some pastries from the buffet before disembarking for the excursion to Medieval Lüneburg. The coach was waiting by the gangway and all had boarded by 8.30.

A grey but mild morning, apparently rather good weather for this time of year.

An hour later, filled with information about the Hanseatic league and the origin of salt extraction in the area, we arrived in the small town of Lüneburg for a guided walking tour. The town, a university town, was extremely quiet and virtually traffic free.

The architecture is fascinating as the old part of the town has resisted redevelopment however it is sinking due to being built on land from which salt had been extracted. Furthermore materials used to build the town are also problematic and have caused bulging on the facade.

The final hour of the excursion was free time to wander around the shops.

At 12.45 we returned to the coach back to Hamburg. The tour included a brief tour of Hamburg itself and the option for being dropped off in the city, which I chose to take.

I couldn’t resist popping into C and A, as it has been a few years since I last popped in (in Lyon).

Then a bite to eat. I encountered a rather excellent bakery and couldn’t resist.

Franzbrotchen is a delicious local specialty originating from napoleonic times. A sumptuous gooey cinnamon and chocolate treat.

There had been evidence of the Napoleonic wars at Lüneburg with a cannonball preserved in a wall.

Shuttle buses were provided for the transfer back to the cruise terminal, running with amazing frequency.

Back on board I treated myself to a cocktail in the Crow’s Nest. The view reminded me of Belfast.

Fun packed evening started with the solo traveler meet-up in The Anderson’s Bar at 7 then ten of us went onto dinner at the Pearl Restaurant. Four of us went up to the clubhouse for party band Pulse.

Then down to the theatre for ‘Boomin’ a really great musical performance.

The four of us finished the evening off at the Limelight Club.

Looking forward to a sea day tomorrow.