Rostock

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We arrive in Germany at the furtherest flung dock in the Rostock area.  They have tried hard to make us welcome - they've hung a Union Jack on the chain link fence.

We catch a complimentary coach into town.  From the window we notice that there has been some very heavy rain recently. However it is now beginning to brighten up quite a bit so, fingers crossed, we may have a good day afterall. Driving in through the outskirts of the town, I spot a building with murals on the wall. They remind me of Communist art, brave labourers in the field, tilling the soil for the good of all. I suddenly realise Rostock must have been an East German city.

Here kids are allowed to splash in the small bubbling geysers and spray the larger jets at each other.

The Rathaus (Town Hall), Rostock
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We are dropped off beside a fairly modern, but impressive church and just round the corner is a lovely renovated market square. It’s all very Flemish in style. Next to the Rathaus (the local town hall, but isn't it a great description when you read it in English!) is a building with a beautiful stone doorway. The carved detailing is all picked out in gold gilding. As for the Town Hall itself, I suddenly spot a bronze serpent, wrapping itself around the base of one of its columns.

We wander away from the centre looking for city walls and gates. We discover a lovely rose garden with a strange monument in it. It just has the initials NZ on each side. There’s no explanation anywhere, in English or German (suggestions welcome). Further on we find a fine fountain and a plinth with the bust of an explorer on top.

Decorative doorway, Rostock
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We sit here for a while eating some of the snacks we had brought from England (in case we somehow managed to starve with only five meals a day)! The park continues on the other side of the road, just past a hut decorated to look like a giant strawberry (I check with my friend just in case I am having a funny turn, but she can see it too). The park turns into a lovely wooded area and we have it almost completely to ourselves. It’s a relief to be somewhere green for a change. Somewhere around us is supposed to be the remnants of the city wall, but we can’t see it, just a very steep bank of earth.

An unknown explorer in the Rose Gardens, Rostock
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Rostock is currently being redeveloped and lots of money is being spent to bring it up to scratch. Another sign of its East German heritage. The shops are excellent but we are very restrained. We find a nice place to sit in the University quarter, near a wonderful fountain. It proves that fountains and children do mix. Here kids are allowed to splash in the small bubbling geysers and spray the larger jets at each other. They can even climb on the bronze statues of people and fish. It’s great fun for them and the local sparrow population.

Child frendly fountain, Rostock
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When we arrived by coach, we had passed an interesting quay. Finally we decide to head down towards it, through a pedestrian area with yet another child friendly fountain. This one looks like a little stream with lots of bends and little waterfalls. Perhaps the guardians of the Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park should come on a fact finding mission. Down at the water’s edge we discover that we could have gone on a boat trip up the river (if only we had arrive earlier)and that a fair is just setting up. This seems to tie in with a tall ships festival that is happening later in the week. However the ships have already started arriving and we are greeted by a flotilla moored several deep. There’s even one that has come all the way from Britain. It’s a beautiful sight and I must admit to taking quite a shine to this town.

Tall Ships Festival, Rostock
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This evening’s onboard entertainment is a deck party and what a shindig it turns out to be. They start off with a bit of line dancing and end up with the guitarist (Ken) doing a very rock and roll guitarist hop along the edge of the swimming pool. To add to the festivities we are also treated to a firework display by the citizens of Rostock, who are celebrating the fact that four Cruise ships are currently in port. Apparently it’s the most they’ve ever had. This may be impressive, but I rather like the natural, eerie spectacle of hundreds of gulls flying overhead in the dark. They have been scared off by the ship beginning to move.

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Sadly I’m now feeling really rough and even wrapping myself in one of the ships fetching tartan blankets doesn’t help. My friend however is having a brilliant time dancing with one of our dining companions, so I sidle off to bed with my tail between my legs. One things for sure, the combination of an evening drink, seasickness tablet and night nurse capsules, should be enough to know me out for the duration.