Sunday 10th September 2023

Woke around 0830. Slow start after yesterday’s journeying. Had a shower and got dressed. Ventured out to find water, assuming the supermarket I’d passed on my way up from Prinzenstrasse U Bahn station last night would be open…it wasn’t! Found a little Turkish cafe round the corner and bought three bottles to take back to my room. 

Headed out on another sortie to find brunch. Walked westward toward Mehringdamm, and came across Kreuzberg Haus…a vaguely distressed looking old warehouse building…nice big airey room. Had salmon cured in vodka, with labneh and pickle. Trotted back to the hotel and got ready to journey to Potsdam. Took a U1 to Wittenbergplatz, then a U2 to Zoo, where I changed for the S Bahn to Potsdam. 

Wandered into the town centre via the river bank, ending up in the Dutch Quarter. No shops open to get water supplies, so stopped at Cafe No.15 for iced chocolate and ice cream. Walked on through the Brandenburg Gate to the eastern fringes of Park Sansoucci. It’s massive…like Hyde Park on steroids! Wandered up to the Schloss, through the terraced gardens, then headed back into town. 

Met Aki at her hotel. Great view across Potsdam from the 16th floor. Left her luggage there and went in search of some dinner. Ended up sat outside a small restaurant called La Madeleine…had a sub standard goulash with baked potato and sour cream. Got a tram back to the hotel where Aki checked out, and we crossed the bridge to the Hauptbanhof. Had to wait 20 minutes for the S7. Too weary to contemplate crossing town on the U Bahn so hailed a taxi from Zoo station, which cost a very reasonable £15…