Advertisement
Published: August 14th 2016
Edit Blog Post
Our arrival in Copenhagen, took us off the motorway, along a main road, past supermarkets, down a few back streets, through an industrial estate until after a few very dodgy back alleys we arrived at the motorcamp. My first question to the camp warden was if it was safe to walk around such an area at night time? Yes he replied handing us each a semi automatic and grenades. His first question to me was did I have a reservation. I replied “I’m Gordon William Pittendrigh – that’s me!!” Your correspondent was already in full Danny Kaye mode.
The purpose of the visit here was twofold. To explore the wonderful, wonderful (told you) city and to visit friends from the wilds of Peru. They are actually from the wilds of Brisbane but we met them in Peru while almost killing ourselves hiking to Machu Picchu. In order to avoid getting lost Mark arranged to meet us at a handily placed bridge to cross the harbour to get to their apartment. Sure enough he was waiting for the three of us with their eldest daughter Ruby.
Cusco the chief spaniel went straight in to his “it is so good to
see you again, I have missed you so much” routine, completely ignoring the fact he has never met them. Mark seemed exactly as he did on our last encounter, laid back, happy, great company and his daughter seemed to be a fair replica of him. It was a lovely reunion and we agreed to make haste to the home to drink beer and also to meet Ruth and second child named Maeve. Ruth seemed exactly as she did on her last encounter….although this time she did seem to smile between swear words. The years had obviously mellowed her. Your correspondent wondered which parent Maeve would take after… the medusa stare answered my question.
We knew that they had a dog and indeed they did. His name is Hansel and he is a daschund. Imagine his delight when a black and white bundle of mayhem came crashing through the door and destroyed his peaceful existence. Cusco ran straight to Hansels food and helped himself and then ran round the apartment generally being in the way. Hansel watched him with a steely teutonic stare that only a mature daschund can impose.
We had a great time with them. Ruth fed
us lovely food and the time was spend chatting, laughing, walking, drinking and swimming!!! Yes, dear readers. The city of Copenhagen has several, free, outdoor pools sectioned off in the harbour. The locals flock to them when the sun comes out and Wendy, Ruth, Mark and Ruby joined them. Your correspondent heroically agreed to look after Cusco, thus missing out on the chance to swim…. We will be seeing them again on our way back south and looking forward to it.
In between eating and drinking etc..we explored the city. WOW is probably the best word I can come up with. What a place. Can’t enthuse enough. We walked miles exploring every nook and cranny. The best way to get around is by the river bus boats. For those who are not aware of what these are, they are boats on the river that act as buses – I hope that helps. Of course, beer was needed after walking so far, so your correspondent took action in the shape of going to a bar.
Denmark has two brands of beer. The first is called “how much????” and the second is named “ you must be bloody joking !!!!!!”
Your correspondent ordered two glasses of “how much???” which cost £15. Thereafter, cans of beer were purchased from 7/11 store at a tenth of the price – this is what the locals do. We did treat ourselves to lunch in the area called Nyhaven (many photographs will be attached), where two beers and two plates of oysters and fishcakes forced a remortgage.
If any dear readers get the chance to visit Copenhagen, grab the chance and go – it is glorious, and if anybody ever asks you, Hans Christian Anderson was from Odense not Copenhagen. A little mermaid told us that.
Your correspondent was sad to leave, but after a quick word from Wendy the Navigator my levels of excitement soared and hit it’s head on the roof of Claude. The words that Wendy said were “The Bridge”. Yes, we were going to cross the Oresund bridge to Malmo which is in Sweden – a different country to Denmark. This is the bridge that featured in the television series called The Bridge - somebody got paid to come up with that title. Having never watched the programme, we were more enthusiastic about crossing a 24km bridge –that is
nearly as long as a 25km bridge!!! The drive was over it was interspersed by Wendy and Cusco and Misty the gerbil screaming at your correspondent to stop looking at the boats and islands in the distance and concentrate on the driving!!! I mean, where is the fun in that?
Our stay in Sweden – the different country to Denmark – was brief as we will be travelling through it on our way back down from north Norway, but we did spend a day or two in Gothenburg. It is a relaxed and easy going city with retro looking trams and a large dock area. We discovered the trendy area called Haga, where your correspondent did not quite fit in despite trying his very best. Not long was spent as we were just passing through on the way to Norway,so after stocking up on some slightly cheaper beer, we crossed the border and started the long trek north.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.282s; Tpl: 0.014s; cc: 6; qc: 44; dbt: 0.0872s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Sue
non-member comment
Happy days
Love reading the blogs x