GOP!

Last week Nico and I made the most of our live in babysitter to visit the GOP theatre in Bremen. It's been open for four or five years now and we've been keen to go but it's not easy to get out.  I bought Nico some vouchers for his birthday and we planned the visit around Dad's time here.

I had no idea what to expect.  I had a vague idea that it was like Cirque du Soleil but I have never seen that either.  

It was brilliant!  There were two presenters who did a bit of stand up and music.  Some of the wordplay was a bit much for me, but they were good.  Then there were about eight different performers (some solo artists and some duets) who did different acrobatic of circus skills - juggling, pole dancing, strong woman.  The latter had Nico and another 'volunteer' up on the stage which made the night for me.

It is not permitted to photograph inside the theatre but that helps you concentrate on the show.  It lasted about two hours.  We had booked for the meal beforehand and while the service was good and the food wasn't bad, it wasn't special and for that price, I would have expected at least bigger portions.  

I'd love to go again and see what they do for a different show.  We heard that the show before was even more spectacular.  Next time, I would eat in Bremen first.  The drinks were nice and it was really good to be out as a couple for the evening.  Date nights are so important.

I also learned this week that there are several GOPs.  Hamburg and Münster have their own GOP theatres and the original is in Hannover.

Pades

As I mentioned in the Saturday Update, last week we went for a long overdue date night.  When we got married (three years ago), Nico's friends gave us a voucher for a cooking course at Pades Restaurant in Verden.

When we looked into doing a course things got complicated.  The courses are run quite rarely and fill up very quickly. Instead, the restaurant offered us the option of dining with the voucher and that's what we did.

Pades has a Michelin star.  The menu is updated by season and it's a very classy place.

We got in nice and early and decided to go for three courses rather than a tasting tapas-style menu.  For starters, I had a lemongrass soup, and for main, the risotto with rabbit, chorizo and king prawns.  Both were really delicious.  They were also very informed with allergies and provided gluten free bread.

The highlight of the meal for both of us was the dessert - chilled marzipan soup with peach and berries, creme brulee and a maracuja ice cream.  Delicious!

The best bit was that even after three courses we still have enough credit on our voucher to go again!  It may take us another three years but I'm looking forward to it already and because the menu is always changing, we'll be in for a different treat next time!

Date Night

During our week away, we made the most of the free babysitters and have our first date in over thirteen months!

Nico took me to a grill restaurant in Schneverdingen and we went to the ice cream parlour for dessert and coffee. It was delicious.

Isabella was not happy when we left but got used to it - a good sign for nursery in September. Her babysitters loved it - I wouldn't have put it past them to hide her when we left yesterday.

It felt very strange to be out without her but we enjoyed it and I do think it makes us better parents to have a bit of time off mummy and daddy duty.

Date Night

 Nico's Christmas present to me was a date night and last night was that night.  We went for a Mexican meal at Mexical, did a little shopping for a new book, and went to see Romeo and Juliet - the rock ballet.

 It was a lovely night and did us both good to be out and about.  I wasn't convinced that Nico would be won over by the ballet but it was definitely not the traditional kind.

 The production mixed traditional Vivaldi music with modern hiphop and pop songs.  It was interesting how well it worked and I really enjoyed the dance.  Even Nico enjoyed the show - neither of us is convinced he would have gone for a completely traditional ballet.

 The baby also enjoyed the show - especially the louder, modern parts.  I think we may have a little hiphop dancer on our hands soon!

We both had a great time - recommend the show to anyone who has the chance to go, and can't wait to go on our next date!

Qwirkle

Continuing our games theme, Nico purchased this little gem this week.  I have never heard of it so I'm not sure if we have it in England (the instructions were German, French and Italian).

It's called Qwirkle and it's a bit like a cross between dominoes and scrabble.  The best bit is, it can be a two player game so after dinner last night we sat down with some music and a nice cup of tea, and had a game.

I'm looking forward to the next round!

28 things...Attend a jazz night.

So after our dinner date last week, Nico and I headed back to the bar where we first got together for jazz night.  They hold a live jazz night on the first Wednesday of every month.  Unfortunately as it is mid week, it has taken us over a year to get there but it was well worth it.

One of the expectations I had with jazz, was that it would involve a saxophone, or maybe a trumpet but what we saw was a trio with a drummer, a guitarist and the double bass.  I have never seen anyone play a double bass live before so that was an experience but what really stuck with both of us was how into the music the musicians were.  The drummer literally played with his eyes closed and when the guitarist lost one of his strings, he just calmly switched to another guitar and carried on.

I found it hard to believe that the event takes place - there were maybe twenty people watching and tickets are just three euros each but I did like that it was so intimate.  I thought it may get tedious after a while but the pieces they played were individual and different and the show lasted an hour which was perfect in my eyes.  If I can get up the energy again mid week once we are back at work, I would go again.

Date Night

One of my goals for the year has been to have at least two date nights per month with Nico.  To be fair we spend a lot of time together but I really wanted to make sure that I don't take him for granted.  It's the only goal I am behind on!!  I am going to really work on this goal this month.  We've had some lovely nights out this year, and the latest was last week when we headed into town for dinner and jazz.  

Love the wine glasses

Since I first arrived in Bremen, I've been a little intrigued by a restaurant on the back streets called the 'Erotic Potato'!  It took me long enough to ensure that it was a restaurant and nothing more.  We tried to go there a few weeks ago for lunch but they only do evening meals so we headed there last week.  It was a really nice meal.

Delicious

Predictably the menu was based around the humble potato.  I wasn't up for a large meal - something with a jacket potato so I ordered from the potato tower menu.  It was delicious.  It was a little like a club sandwich - slices of delicious roasted potato with chicken, tomato, chutney and sauce with a salad on the side.  It was a little tough to eat on these long plates but it was delicious.  I'd love to go again.

More on the jazz tomorrow...