The Queen’s House...

Since Johanna had already been to London several times, I tried to fill the rest of her visit with less traditional places to visit. Next up was Greenwich. Built in 1635, the Queen’s House was a royal residence for just seven years on the grounds of what was once Greenwich Palace. From 1806 it was the center of the Royal Hospital School for the sons of seaman and in 1937 it became part of the National Maritime Museum. This painting from approximately 1690 celebrates the remodeling of Greenwich Park.

The Sea Maidens

This painting from 1886 by Evelyn de Morgan might have been inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid where the brokenhearted doesn’t necessarily live happily ever after. 

Transport

By painting a bar code on such a large scale over a cargo ship, this artwork from 2006 draws attention to mass consumerism and its impact on the world. 

There was art everywhere you turned, including on the ceiling. 

This portrait of Elizabeth I was painted around 1588 just after England defeated the Spanish Armada.

The coolest architectural feature was the Tulip Staircase. Made of ornate wrought iron, it was Britain’s first geometric and unsupported staircase. As I stood there it wasn’t its history that impressed me, but rather its beauty.

 

Seeing Art with Johanna...

On August 4, 2024, just as Jimmy was at the Eurostar terminal catching a train to Brussels, I was at City Airport meeting Johanna who had come from The Hague for a four-night stay. The following day was full of art and sightseeing. We started with an eclectic exhibition at Saatchi Gallery.

If you look closely, you can spot Johanna in Chelsea on They Were on a Wild Ride to a Safer Place with Rabbitwoman and Dogman, which we had encountered earlier in the year near Tower Bridge.

Next we went to see Chihuly at Chelsea Barracks, featuring colorful blown glass displayed in fountains...

…and flower beds.

Our next stop was Battersea Power Station. 

We enjoyed a late lunch at Tattershall Castle with its great view of the London Eye.

We continued the theme of bars with iconic views as we took a break from our long walk along the Thames to enjoy a drink at The Bar in front of the HMS Belfast. 
 

Final Bits of Berlin...

Luckily I managed to fall back to sleep after seeing sunrise at 4:37am. 

While the guys worked, I spent the day with Fleshmob and some other visiting hashers from Edinburgh. During our long walk from the East Gallery, we saw the Oberbaum Bridge, a double-decker bridge with subway trains crossing on the top since 1902. 

Next we went up the Berliner Fernsehturm (TV Tower). built in 1969 as a functioning broadcasting facility and a symbol of communist power. At 1,207 feet (368 meters) tall, it is still the tallest structure in Germany. 

The observation deck was at 666 feet (203 meters), which is actually shorter than Horizon 22 in London. The views were nice, but not sure they were worth the high price of entry (guess I’m spoiled with all of those free viewing platforms in London).

We saw the sunset from our plane back to London.

While we were flying back, Dogsh*t (who we knew from Amsterdam and now lives in Hong Kong) was at City H3. He accepted an award for Opee for Most Trails Laid in the previous year. 
 

In Search of Beer...

The guys worked the next day and I just goofed around. That evening Jim took us to Pratergarten, Berlin’s oldest beer garden dating back to 1837. 

It was a lovely evening and we enjoyed eating outside.

Pretty sure these Jimmys weren’t the target demographic for this shop.

After stopping at a craft brew bar, we finished the evening in a uniquely Berlin drinking spot: a spati. These convenience stores have tables set up so shoppers can enjoy a cheap beer outside. Apparently there is around 1,000 of these little stores around the city center. 

Jim had fun modelling some of the merchandise. We didn’t know it at the time that this would be our last time visiting Jim in Berlin because he’d be moving back to the States before the end of 2024. It was definitely fun while it lasted!
 

Also Spotted in Hamburg...

....urban art...

….reflections...

….twins?....

…an unusual fountain...

…and a melted van. That evening we caught a train back to Berlin where we spent two nights with Jim. 
 

Elbe Tunnel...

We were impressed when we arrived at the entrance to the Elbe Tunnel, which opened in 1911.

This large lift carries pedestrians and cyclists down 80 feet (24 meters) below the surface. Separate lifts were used for vehicles for decades, but stopped carrying cars in 2023.  

Those impatient for the lift opted to walk down. 

This 1,398-foot (426-meter) tunnel connects the city center with the dockyards on the south side. 

Views back across the river.

The trail ended in an empty parking lot where we enjoyed lots of leftovers from the weekend.
 

Hangover Trail...

The Hangover Trail started in a park near the hostel.

Much of the trail twisted through the nearby streets where I stopped to admire some of the architecture. Rebuilt after World War II, St Michael’s Church was purposely built Protestant unlike many others which were converted from Catholic during the Reformation.

Fleshmob got into the act when we entered the last surviving enclosed courtyards from the 17th century. 

Krameramtsstuben (Grocer’s Apartments) were formerly timber-framed homes for widows of members of the Grocer’s Institute.

Hamburg is home to the largest warehouse district in the world with many of the buildings built on wood pilings. 

Oriental Carpet Made of Stone was crafted in 2019 as a reminder that Hamburg is the busiest entry point for Oriental carpets sold in Europe.