Sketches made along the River Elbe

The Herrenhäuser (mansions) along the Elbe are like a set of large white beads set in green satin.

On the other side of the river the landscape is dominated by huge cranes with windmills in the distance.

In the Hafenstadt (harbour city) the buildings that are not built of red bricks are grey. It sounds boring but the different grey/white/black contours are varied and interesting.

 

This quick sketch was made while waiting for Ferry #62 at the Hafenstadt and the ones above while sitting on the deck avoiding spray as the ferry ploughed its way through the water.

Hamburg Harbour on the River Elbe

The heart of the city of Hamburg is its huge working harbour. The old warehouse buildings are restored and the whole precinct is a vibrant and visually interesting place to visit.

Container ships are loaded and unloaded in the high tech container harbour across the water, but the original old warehouses are being rennovated have new life as offices and apartments.

New buildings complement the old and look out over the rows of tug boats lined up ready to guide ships along the harbour.

Yesterday I took a trip along the Elbe with ferry line 62. Ferry line 62 is free if you have a day card for city rail and travels almost exactly the same line as the tourist boats.

The most eastern stop is at the new Elbphilharmonie.

Blankenese bike ride

It is so nice being in a city where bike riding is the norm. Most footpaths are divided into bike and foot paths and cars watch out for bicyclists.

Today I rode down to the Elbe river the along to Blankenese. The sun was shining and it was very picturesque. I painted the hillside of houses while I drank my coffee at the Ahrsburg Cafe on the banks of the Elbe.
Then I pushed my bike up the narrow streets to Blankenese village and had a cup of tea while admiring the houses across the road.