I ended up dating Maria for a short time when I got back to the UK.

Also, woah there on Copenhagen. I really had a good time there! It was a nice city, full of character and charm. Also, I met another girl who I really liked there, called Lise; we never really hooked up, due to going in opposite directions and suchlike. She ended up moving to London to be with another boy, who she is still with. We talk occasionally. Man, these were clearly my wild days (Such as they are…)

Sorry for the extended delay! I was trying to write one of these every five days or so – if only because they help to break up the time – but the last week has been kinda hectic. A lot of fun, but busy busy busy.

Booo, I think we left off in Berlin. From there I headed north to Stralsund, a tiny town on the North German coast, which was extremely pretty. The weather was still good, and the views across the Baltic at night were stunning. From there I went to Rostock for a night, which was a pretty but dull town, but had the distinction of having the most awesome youth hostel ever – instead of being a building, it was a boat, and my €15 bought me my own cabin for the night. It was probably the one and only time I have ever literally lept with glee.

So those two were nice, if a little bland. I was intending to spend another few days on the coast – Lübeck was my next port of call – but I guess I missed city life a little, co I decided to spend my last few days in Germany in Hamburg instead. I’m very glad I did, as well – it’s an awesome city. It’s probably the only German city that’s actually growing, and as such feels very modern and cosmopolitan, but it also has the distinction of having escaped both war and occupation relatively unscathed, and so has a lot of its history intact. I met some great people there, including an English girl called Maria, who was working there as a translator. It was one of the few places I’ve
regretted not having more time to stay in.

From Hamburg I took the train to Copenhagen. That was fun; for a part of the journey the train has board a ferry, so I even got to take in a mini cruise on the way. There was one panicy moment when I realised, as the train was leaving, that my Interrail ticket had actually expired three days previously. Had I been caught, it would have been hefty fine time, but happily I managed to distract the ticket lady with a carefully-timed, but appaling, boat-based pun (“You look pale. Are you OK?” “Yes, I just don’t like boats.” “Seasick, huh?” “No. Afraid of assault and bateau-ry!” Hey, don’t knock it, it worked). I’ve been in Copenhagen for a few days now. It’s a nice city, but somewhat lacking in the youth hostel department; a lot of them close for the winter, and the ones that stay open seem to be on the
utilitarian side. That was one advantage of Germany – it has great youth hostels.

So, I’m here for a few more days, then I’m headed into Sweden – first Mälmo for a day or two, then Stockholm, where I shall be joined for a few days by a friend from home. I’m not planning on spending long in Scandinavia – a few weeks at most – but there’s still a lot to see.

Incidentally, my mobile phone is dead. I shall probably be making do with phone cards from now on. The old number is thus defunct!

Anyhoo – hope you’re all well. Let me know any news!

Much love.