A day in Copenhagen.

We spent a day in Copenhagen which was about 1.5 hours from the site. We travelled across the Storebaelt bridge(s). (The Ostbro suspension - tallest manmade structure in Denmark with 254 metre high pylons and the Vestbro. There is a small island where they join. They total 13.6 kms, took 12 years to build and was opened in 1998.) On the way out there were a dozen or more tall ships racing (part of a 5 day race). Unfortunately we were passed the viewing point and could not get any photos. On the way back when we did stop there was a rainbow so our timing was better.

Once in the city our first port of call was to see Mary’s house (Amalienborg palace). It has guards with busbies similar to the old country but there the likeness stops. In England the guards stand completely still – it is hard to get a guard to blink. In Denmark they are a bit more active and turn their heads and sometime have a controlled stroll. They also keep an eye on anyone who loiters, leans or sits on the buildings. This one suddenly let out a yell and pointed. His attention was a woman who had decided to comfort her baby by sitting on a step. She ignored the call. This gave rise to a second shout – no action. There was then a march to some 5 metres from her and more shouting and pointing. At this stage she got the message and moved, which is a shame as I think a warning shot was next.
The focus of most activity is a canal which has been cut into the centre. Apparently an earlier King visited Amsterdam and like the idea of canals and arranged a few for Copenhagen. As no one was interested in the new frontage he had to bribe the merchants with lower taxes to move in. Not an issue for today. There are numerous restaurants and cafes overlooking a range of boats.

We decided to get on the green line hop on hop off. Note that some have covers and others do not. Ours was the fresh air version. There were a variety of places to hop off. There is a mixture of old and new. Denmark has a large industry centred on wind turbines and they are everywhere.

Nearby the cruise ship quay was occupied by the love boat.

The visitors marina only had space if you were prepared to do a bit of gentle shunting (some did).

Behind the Gefion fountain was the Anglican church. Both sit alongside the Kastellet built by Frederick III to fend off those dastardly Swedes in the 1600s.

When we were on the outermost leg of the boat trip the heavens opened and we were given rubbish bags to help protect us. I put a hole in the bottom of my bag and then put it over my head. It was quite a tight fit but with my arms inside the bag I was able to keep the top of me fairly dry. However, on standing up and maneuvering along the rocking boat to get off my motion was similar to an unbalanced waddling penguin. Rather than falling overboard I returned the bag.

The canals had a range of permanently moored exhibition boats including an old light ship.

The “Little Mermaid” mermaid was quite small and was under constant attack by people climbing up her so they could be photographed. At least there was some compensation as shortly after leaving we heard a splash and a wave of laughter as someone fell in.

Shame about the backdrop.