I've just got back from a weekend away in Copenhagen and what a wonderful place it was. It was so friendly, efficient, funky and fun. I want to go there again as there's so much still to do there. It dawned on me before we entered the airport that it was the land of the Danish pastry. I got over excited. I also spied the biscuits of my childhood in their Duty Free. I'm regretting not buying a tin now. I have to go back.
My husband booked the tickets and so it was carry on cabin luggage for our family. I usually hate this malarky as I have a bad back and find it a pain to carry it up and down the stairs and luggage rack when I travel alone. Luckily for me, my husband kindly lifted it for me this time. I felt that as I had washed and ironed the clothes inside our cases, I shouldn't feel guilty asking him to carry my bag for me. At the boarding pass patrol desk, cabin bags were being weighed and if over 8kg, passengers had to pay extra. In line, my husband unzipped his case and donned his belt. My daughters both put on an extra jumper. I toyed with wearing my wash bag as a hat but thankfully, I didn't need to and we got on by with no charge.
On board, we were separated - not because we had been naughty but because we hadn't pre-booked seats. No matter because I was in between two very nice and quiet people, so I nodded off to sleep for the entire one and a half hour flight. My husband was in between two other men and they all wore headphones and listened to music. My daughters delighted in telling us whose 'people' were best sitting next to them. My older daughter won as she chatted with an Australian couple about their travels and said they were so sweet. My younger daughter and her companion, just stared at one another and didn't speak.
Once in Copenhagen, we settled into our gorgeous Airbnb apartment for the next few days. It was the polar opposite of our home - white, modern, no clutter, no garden and no dogs. My older daughter said she could imagine living somewhere like that when she's older. Although the rest of us loved it, we like colour and clutter. I was super impressed by the way they have a pavement for pedestrians, a lane for cyclists and a road for drivers everywhere you go. Everyone has to consider one another.
My husband and I went for dinner with his work friend and his wife. I had never met them before so was a bit nervous. I tried on the heels I'd packed but my heart sank at the thought of hobbling on the cobbled streets on the way to the restaurant, especially in the rain. I abandoned the idea. Imagine my relief when I spied the other wife. I wanted to hug her because she was wearing flat boots too. That's what we bonded over. That and the fact we moved from our reserved table next to a noisy bar because 'we are too old for all this noise and want to talk'. After a few enquiries, we found another table at an authentic Danish bistro, which served delicious garlic prawns and white wine.
Meanwhile, my daughters had found the last two student tickets to go and see the ballet of Alice in Wonderland just minutes walk away from where we were staying. We all had a lovely night and found our way back to our holiday home without getting lost. A bonus. The next morning, we slept in until 10am, which was bliss and I padded about in my new fluffy socks. My husband found proper Danish pastries (so crunchy and squished flat with a smidgin of icing on) and takeaway coffee. I was a happy bunny.
Once dressed, we marched towards the art gallery showing Michael Ancher's interesting paintings exhibition of fishermen and the Skagen community. Next on the agenda was lunch - hot dogs from the Christmas market and some shopping. There is a mile long 'walking street' where no cars are allowed and you can shop to your heart's content. At the end of the street, we crossed over into Tivoli which hosts a festive fair, all prettily lit up with a rollercoaster, restaurants and a lake. It was so magical wandering about and taking in the atmosphere.
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