Ulrich indulged us today starting with a visit to Gerstaecker, Bremen’s art supply store. I have been to art stores in many parts of the world, but this was the largest. Bigger than Blick in Manhattan. I found a clearance section of Winsor Newton professional brushes and indulged. As I’m hard on my brushes I usually can’t justify expensive ones, but at this price…
I also bought three kinds of paper, which pack easily, but are heavy. C beat me weight-wise with his purchase of copper sheets for his heated copper wall sculptures.
Next stop was just north of the city, in Vegesack, where we visited their former coworker and friend, Dagmar. We walked and wheeled to Salento Classico for an excellent lunch of grilled calimari, chanterelles w/thin slices of roast beef on arugula and might-as-well-have-been homemade gnocchi.
Dagmar then guided us through the town’s arboretum. With specimens from around the world. I can imagine her as her students’ favourite teacher.
The last stop, a somber one, was a WW2 German submarine bunker that was under construction from 1943-45, but was damaged by enemy fire and never completed. 10-12,000 workers were forced labourers living at nearby concentration camps. It lead to interesting stories from Ulrich, who remembered people from his childhood and the roles they played in the war.
The reunion continued when Lotta, her wife, Anne and their two children came to see us in Bremen, but Betty and family were away on vacation. I knit hats for the kids - two pumpkins and a blueberry, and crocheted a scarf and attached one of C’s shawl pins for Ingrid.
We had a lovely visit, a long walk in the Burgerpark and a farewell dinner. Thanks to Ingrid and Ulrich for their generous hospitality as always.