We left our B&B leaving plenty of time to get to the airport, check in and struggle through security. What a contrasting experience to arrival at Heathrow: 40 minutes from leaving the hotel and we were done!! Terminal 2 is a nice modern airport as well.

We sat down for breakfast and then did a little shopping. I had seen a watch I liked in Chichester and I had googled the range of styles available for the brand. Lucky for me they stocked it at Heathrow. Mind you it wasn't any cheaper tax free than if we'd bought it online - but I had it in my hot little hands. It was an early birthday present and I very happily told Anthony what time it was all day. It was so nice to have a watch I could actually see (even without my glasses!).

We arrived in Hamburg and a taxi took us to our hotel. We were staying opposite the Atlantic Hotel which is apparently one of the best hotels in Germany. The doorman was in a top hat and tails. We were at the Ibis.

We checked in and then took off on foot to explore the city. Our hotel is between Lake Außenalster and the Hamburg Hauptbahnhof (railway). We wandered past the Kunteshalle (art gallery) down towards the Hamburg Rathaus (town hall). We stopped at a restaurant overlooking the waterways and buildings in Neustadt.

Lunch was superb! We had stumbled on a Syrian restaurant and the dishes we selected were outstanding. Mine was 'maakloube' an eggplant and cinnamon piment rice with dates, almonds, cashews and raisins with a warm yoghurt and mint sauce. Washed down with a lovely German Riesling of course. Anthony had some beautifully spiced lamb sausages with feta and salad.

We had a quick squiz at the Rathaus before heading to The Speicherstadt (City of Warehouses). This is the largest warehouse district in the world where the buildings stand on timber-pile foundations (oak logs) and was built from 1883 to 1927. It is now a UNESCO heritage site.

As Anthony's back was hurting we returned to our hotel for a quick nanna nap before setting out for dinner.