Paddling on Hamburgs Binnenalster for the first time

You know, we live in Hamburg. Hamburg is not only characterized by the Elbe and harbour, but also by its Alster, both as a river and as a lake. A few years ago when we were sitting at a pier at the Außenalster, the idea of a canoe came up for the first time.

With our ONAK, things are perfect right now. And so on Whit Monday morning we returned to exactly this pier in order to make the tour on the Außen- and Binnenalster, which is obligatory for Hamburgers.

Again it was worth getting up early, because there was still not much going on on the water. A few rowers and two other canoeists took their courses.

We paddled close to the west bank and could observe the hustle and bustle on land (joggers, yogis, hunting dogs) and on water (geese, swans, squalls). While the light wind on the Außenalster caused a lot of waves, the water calmed down as we passed the Kennedy and Lombards bridges – the separators between the Außenalster and the Binnenalster. The panorama from the viewpoint of the bridges to the architecture on Jungfernstieg is then quite nice, but what can the New Wall do against freshly hatched gosling chicks or white-bellied gossip? So we turned around and paddled back to the starting point.

While the late risers pumped up their folding boats around us, we packed our white boat on a lush green lawn and drove home. As man´s expects after a tour, our stomach always growls. Thanks to the summer we were once again able to cook one of our favourite dishes and can show it to you here:

Original britische Porridge.

The preparation is very simple and the breakfast is so delicious:

You take oatmeal in a ratio of 1 to 3 (1 cup of oatmeal, 3 cups of water) and a pinch of salt.
Slowly boil port flakes in water and swell to the lowest level (15-20 minutes).
Stir regularly, otherwise you have to clean more than eat. ;-)
Shortly before ready, add a dash of milk.
Then fill the porridge in bowls with nuts and almonds.
Sprinkle cane sugar on the porridge.
Top it with fresh fruit (apple, banana, strawberries, blueberries)

A really good paddler breakfast is ready.