Berlin 5 Oct

Woke up about 4.15 but thankfully got back to sleep and next thing I knew it was 10 to 8. So that was great to get some much needed sleep. Late breakfast and caught up with D and G as they were leaving the restaurant. The hotel was hosting an IT convention and as a number of the promotional display stands were being dismantled, the IBM stand had power packs that they had been giving out to convention attendees. We were able to grab one each (M took 2, but I'm not dobbing) so I am really pleased about that as I was intending buying one for myself at some stage and now I don't have to. As we didn't have specific plans for today and it us forecast for 12 and light rain, we all finally agree to do a 3 hour river cruise first off. The boat departure was about 100 metres away from the hotel so was really convenient and got underway at 10.30. We had to hire a headset so that we could get the commentary in English, but that wasn't a problem at all. There weren't a lot on the boat so no shortage of seats up or downstairs. The heaters were on downstairs so roomie and M tended to stay there for the most part. It was cold up on deck but clear skies and lots of great photo opportunities so I sat right up front with D and we happy-snapped away. Had to duck our heads a couple of times due to very low bridges. About mid cruise we ventured downstairs for a cuppa, at which point dear roomie bought me a coffe with rum an cream. It was just what the doctor ordered. Then up top again until in the last half hour of our cruise a light rain started to fall so back down inside in the warm. It was a great cruise, covering some 23 kilometres and supposedly Berlin has more bridges than Venice, with 64 that we travelled through or past. As we get off the boat though it is now constant rain so just as well we agreed on the morning cruise. Time for a late lunch at an Italian restaurant we pass. M is feeling the cold so heads back to his room. I had a lovely pizza, but my eyes were way too big for my tummy and I couldn't eat it all. Back to the hotel for 15 minutes to refresh ourselves and then off we go again to the Europa Centre for possible souvenir shopping but nothing we want and as it is raining again, roomie and I head back to the hotel to leave D & G to their own devices. We've all agreed to meet in the lobby at 6.30. Time for a much needed cuppa and 'blob' updating. Roomie has me scared though as she is determined to pack her suitcase again as we have an early departure tomorrow. After more fannying about she gets it closed and triumphantly declares that it was much easier this time. It is now that I tell her that I don't suppose she wants me to remind her about all the washing we have drying in the bathroom and hanging off light fixtures! I even offer to pack these errant items in my suitcase for her, but no, the case is opened and like a jack in a box, items from within are now 'out'! Oh dear... Time for another cuppa or something stronger. Good to have a little bit of time to simply sit on my bed and contemplate the fluff in my navel. 6.30 it is so back down to the lobby to meet D and G. M has decided in a quiet evening but has still managed to make his way back to the Irish pub, bless him! We 4 however simply cross the road from the hotel and go to Nico's Greek restaurant. We are joined by Ian and Dawn where we all order meals that turn out to be huge and no one can finish them. A few drinks, story telling and then back to the hotel. (Ian was a Telecom technician prior to retirement but I'm following the tradition of while in Germany to not mention the war; so while on holiday to not mention bloody Telecom... Grrrrr.) I'll pack in the morning.