The Hamburg Report

I better get this over with as quickly as possible, I did NOT go the sex/erotic art museum. I know what's up with that? Time is what is up with that and nephews, I ran out of time and it wasn't appropriate to go to that area with the nephews in tow. I can hear you clicking away from my blog now you bloody perverts!
Also I kind of erm wimped out when it came to taking Willy out and about with me, he only got a slight airing on the ferry trip. I couldn't take Connor (youngest nephew) constantly asking to play with the 'finger' aka Willy and Ewan (older nephew) then saying its not a finger its a w......., hand goes over his mouth at this point or he got the look. So willy was stuffed into my bag and neglected for this trip.
Any hoo I still start this story from the beginning now, the flight was good, especially as I had the mum with me. The mum has not flown in nearly twenty years and is now in a wheelchair, so that could of been very very stressful. So hats off to the airline staff at Manchester and Hamburg as they were excellent, they get the wheels of steel seal of approval.
Jemma and co live about 35/40 minutes from the airport near an area called Blankenese (posh), I think its called Iserbrook. Their house is the white one in the photo collage above and Jemma would be in a right hump if I didn't tell the world how nice it is, so the house is really really nice! I did really appreciate all the effort jemma went to, she set up my room like a posh hotel room, complimentary chocolates an all. Was that nice enough of me?
Friday I got to do the school run with Jemma and the kids, I wanted to do that honest. The kids go to the International School of Hamburg, its two trains and a bus away. The German transport system also gets a thumbs up from me, efficient and clean. Also it was a lot cheaper than public transport over here. Once we got to the school I got to watch the school assembly, it was in American so I sort of undestood it. Its strange the things you miss about your family when they are not so close, the mundane school stuff is one of those things. Jemma and I then headed into Hamburg for a gander at the shops which where excellent, absolutely loads of great shops and rather good prices. Jemma has started German lessons and seems to be picking it really fast, so that definitely helps when your out and about.
Saturday was just chilling out while Jemma did her mad cleaning up, she is the tidy one of the family. Once she finished that we headed off to have a nose at one of the big supermarkets, I wanted to see all the German sausages and look at the booze selection. By the time we got back it was time to get ready for the Reeperbahn.
I had heard a lot about the Reeperbahn before heading over but as Jemma and Ste hadn't had the chance for a night out there yet, nobody knew what to really expect. You can read more about the place if you click here Reeperbahn. The area doesn't have the best reputation so Ste (Jemma's bloke) didn't think bringing the camera or Willy was a good idea, also I don't think he really liked Willy, heh. The trains run all night, another plus, so getting there is not a problem at all. As soon as you hit the area, there are hookers all over the shop. I was a bit stupid and thought they were just handing out flyers, but nope they were handing out their whatevers. Once you get over that, the Reeperbahn is just like any other drinking hot spot, apart from the rather numerous sex shops with very interesting things on sale. A wide range of music was available across the numerous bars/pubs/clubs and the place had a chilled out vibe. There was the women in windows area, but that was fenced off and women were encouraged strongly not to go down there, as the working ladies do not like gawkers. I will definitely be going out again round the Reeperbahn area, for the drinking and music of course, but next time I will go with friends instead of relatives. As I couldnt see behind the fenced off area I had a go at doodling what I thought might be going on that side, I think I got it pretty right?

On Sunday I had a lazy morning before Jemma, me and the kids headed for a boat trip on the River Elbe, to see some more of Hamburg, mainly the port area. The day was finished off at a large fun fair that they have a couple of times a year.
The trip was over way way to fast and although I didn't do everything I expected to, I got to spend time with my family who I miss a lot. More importantly, now that I know how much I like it over there, I will be going again as SOON as possible. So Hamburg definitely gets the thumbs up from me, I think there is something for everyone to do, literally.

PS. While I remember, when I am on my over the pond adventure in September how often would you like me to post? Did you follow the little twitter updates?