European Holiday 2003 Pt4

Denmark

Choppy seas do not make for a relaxed time on a ferry. The crossing from Germany to Denmark was decidedly lumpy and my poor Mum was particularly prone to sea-sickness. Thank goodness for Kwells.

Our accommodation for the final week was a comfortable chalet on the northwest coast not far from Bogense, situated within a few minutes walking distance of a delightful, pebbly beach. There is a delightful Danish word, Hygge, that defies a concise definition in English. My limited outsider's understanding of this, though, is that it infers a sense of comfort, warmth, togetherness. Staying in this lovely chalet certainly encouraged this sense of wellbeing.

For our boys, the highlight of the week was a visit to Legoland in Billund.It was a fairly long day with a 90km drive each way, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for them, both being avid builders of the imagination.

The most adventurous day trip, though, was our jaunt to the capital, Copenhagen. A very early start was essential to make the visit worthwhile, with a two and a half hour, two hundred kilometre drive each way. It was worth it, though. It’s a beautiful City. Here are some views from that week. Once again, all taken with my Bronica on Fuji Velvia, with the exception of the panoramic view of the city. This is the view as seen from the spire of The Church of Our Saviour. The images that comprise this view were taken on my little Minox as I negotiated the external staircase which spirals up to the globe atop the pinnacle*. I got as far up as I could, until my body became wedged in the ever narrowing space between the handrail and the spire roof, the width of the steps eventually dwindling to a point. Considering I'm not over keen on heights, I was fairly chilled about the whole experience....or so I thought. It was only when I endeavoured to take these photos that I realised how on edge I must have been, as my hands were shaking, nearly dropping the camera to the concrete ninety metres (nearly 300ft) below. While I headed up the spiral, Irene stayed with our two boys on the viewing platform at the base of the spire where it sits on top of the tower. I hadn’t realised until I returned to my family and had it pointed out to me, that the handrail and its associated safety panelling there on the platform had a rather large, child-sized gap between it and the flooring. In my absence and in fear of the boys sliding down the sloping floor and out over the precipice, Irene had been holding on to them rather tightly for the duration.

Church of Our Saviour, Copenhagen.

* (Scans from the negatives were merged in Photoshop to form this panorama).

The visit would, of course, have been incomplete without seeing the Little Mermaid, so we stopped by and said hello.

My Mum loved strong cheeses, the stronger the better, so we bought one of the local varieties for her to try. Sadly I don’t remember the name of it, but I do remember its potency. Even double-wrapped and in a bag it’s nauseating aroma could be smelt at arms length. Mum did the heroic deed and opened it, trying a piece in a sandwich, but even she was beaten by the beast. Well, what to do with it? We’d bought a sizeable chunk of it and no one could summon the courage to go near it after that brief encounter. The only thing we could think to do was bury it as it was felt that simply dropping it in the outdoor bins would have been wholly unfair on the neighbours. We found a suitable spade and, carrying the offending article out with us in an almost ritualistic fashion, my boys and I discreetly laid it to rest in the garden.

I hope you enjoy the following selection of views from that week. You may have noticed numerous images from in and around churches taken during our holiday. Although not a believer, I do admire the architecture and find it these buildings quite photogenic.

Around Amalien Palace and the harbour, Copenhagen.

Looking up at the Town Hall, Odense, and views from a wander around the grounds of St Canutes Cathedral, with the statue of Hans Christian Andersen keeping a watchful eye.

A characteristic and pretty local cottage, the apex of its thatch held in place with external timbers followed by Guldbjerg Kirke, near Bogense

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