Bremen

Today is a public holiday in Germany, Ascension Thursday. We’ve decided to slow our pace a little and hopefully stop at Bremen today which is an hour away. We’ve found a campsite in the centre of the city but it gets busy and the park4night app says ring when an hour away which I do at 9:30am. Success. There’s availability so we get on the road after tipping out our toilet cassette.

Arrive at about 10:45 after a snafu with our new satnav, find a spot no problem and then get ourselves set up. The site is very busy and the pitches are snug. It’s €23 a night, you buy electricity for 70c for 1kw and showers are €1. It’s very handy for Bremen and cheap compared to UK prices.

Once settled and electricity sorted we enjoy a late breakfast, use the facilities, sort the meat we bought into the freezer, work out a bit of a menu for the food we have and start a shopping list and generally tidy the van.

Around 3pm we wander into Bremen. Of course it’s spitting now. We catch the river ferry which is only 5 minutes walk from the campsite to cross the River Weser. It’s busy with loads of cyclists and an angry captain shouting at them as there’s too many bikes on the boat. Very entertaining.

Once across the river we walk along the Weser promenade towards the historic centre of the city. The promenade is lined with graffiti. Stop for a video call with Rach and Elijah. We are entertained by our grandson chomping on a massive piece of watermelon almost as big as his head!

The market square, Marktplatz is impressive. Lined with Hanseatic buildings built in the early 15th century including the Town Hall, St Peter’s Cathedral and a large statue to Roland which represents freedom of trade. Trams run in front of the Town Hall.

After a wander around the cathedral we sit in the square and enjoy an early dinner. I have Bratkartoffeln, fried potatoes with bacon and eggs and T enjoys Currywurst. It’s started raining more heavily now so we go inside the bar to finish our drinks.

Raincoat’s on again we wander down Böttcherstraße a street full of gorgeous old buildings with a massive and beautiful gold coloured relief over the entry archway. Made by German sculptor Bernhard Hoetger in 1936 and dedicated to Hitler, it was accompanied by the words now removed, “Our leader’s victory over the powers of darkness”.

We can’t resist stopping in a very busy and lively beer hall on the street called Gaffel Kőlsch.

There’s still lots to see so we decide to stay another day here and come back tomorrow. We wander back to the ferry in the rain which we have to ourselves and then stop on our side of the river for a beer in The Sands. It’s set in a huge conservatory overlooking the Weser with its own beach.