From Husum, south to Hamburg
We drove South with Moaning Minnie. We would never have found the aire without the Sat Nav. Hamburg is a typical sort of inner city Stellplatz, wedged in between major roads, bridges and railway lines. It is also a depot for the sightseeing bus. The chap in the kiosk told us to go and find a spot and have a cuppa, then come back and register. The facilities all looked good, and we were quite happy to pay E38 for two nights.We then found our way into the city by S-Bahn. We got a day ticket which covers up to 5 people, all day, on several forms of transport. The only downside is, you can´t split up and travel separately.
We found the Cathedral well hidden in a little side street. It was reopened in 2008 after a long period of renovation (it did not state how long, but probably since WWII), and it has some nice fresh looking modern items. There is an altar and ambo of white limestone, a 1963 tabernacle, and 20th Century wall paintings, as well as murals with a gold background in the apse, giving this a slightly different slant to most of the German churches we have seen.
On foot round to St Jakobkirche, built 1255. This church was used as a pilgrim church in the middle ages. Its location outside the city walls was convenient for pilgrims who did not reach the city before the gates closed at sunset. They could spend the night within the church. The guide leaflet identifies scenes from the bible depicted on the altar of 1518, and windows of 1961. We identified most of the altar scenes, but had to admit the windows left us slightly baffled.
This church has a famous organ, built in 1693, with 4000 pipes, and now one of the most important baroque organs in Europe.
On further to Rathausplatz: a lively place with a lock and a WWI memorial column, plain and simple. Lots of kiosks and stalls, barges selling their wares, and street entertainment gave a great atmosphere.
Later on, back at the Stellplatz, we spotted another English motorhome, the fist for several weeks. It was a Hymer, older than our "bus". We went over to say hello: a young couple on month 11 of their Europe extravaganza with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Charlie (or squeaky). Check out their website at www.ourtour.co.uk. We swapped stories until gone midnight, and arranged to meet up the next evening.