Sailing away

“I thought you were going on a cruise”, one friend commented.  I must say, our short time in Copenhagen felt well used and those few hours we spent there were a bit of a bonus.  Because yes, of course we were looking forward to boarding our favourite ship and sailing off into the sunset.

But before we could sail away, there was the little business of the lifeboat drill to be done.  I’d thought, whilst watching the British Airways crew member do the safety demonstration, that for the next couple of weeks, lifejackets will be part and parcel of our “plan B”.  And so it was that at 5.15pm, the emergency signal sounded and we all trooped down to the muster station to report our presence and to listen carefully.

We take these things seriously, after all, who knows if we might need that whistle at some point?  The couple behind me were observing that the light on their lifejacket wasn’t working, and said as much to the crew member nearby.  She advised that it will only light when it comes into contact with water, and the last I heard was a vague plan to try it in the bath…

We had no such intentions.  We did, however, follow in single file, out onto the deck, beneath Lifeboat 7, which according to our lead crew member is the best one in an emergency, for amongst those accompanying us is a sax player from the band, a masseuse, a dancer and a hairdresser – all our needs catered for, with the possible exception of a cook!

Having completed the formalities, we were headed up on deck for the sailaway party.  Such glorious weather was enough in itself to warrant celebration, but with a blast on the ship’s horn and a(nother) glass of champagne in hand, we were off.

Calm blue seas, wind farms and bright sunshine.  We toasted our good fortune with our friends and hoped for smooth sailing.

Though the barbecue was fired up and the seafood buffet looked amazing, we stood firm and resisted the temptation, because all too soon we’d be sitting down to dinner.

As Copenhagen and the Danish coast slipped into the distance, we headed downstairs, for what Daddy would have referred to as a “snecklifter”.  Well, that glass of champagne was just a little bit of bubble, wasn’t it?

Bye bye, Denmark.

Hello Hendricks!  When I saw waiter Gusti earlier in the day, he’d remembered my favourite drink from last January, when we were last on board.  He’d also remembered my Hero’s penchant for Negronis and said, with a wink, that he’d have them ready for us later!  But arriving in the Horizon lounge for pre dinner drinks, we couldn’t see him anywhere – he was working in one of the other bars, we were told.  Suffice to say, though, that word had got around and Hasainu, one of his colleagues, had got the message.  Oh my goodness: 600 odd people on the ship and yet, someone, somewhere has noted who we are and what we like to drink.  We’d only been on board 6 hours, too.

Amazing.

A morning in Copenhagen

What a view from our window this morning!   We were up early, to pack and have our suitcases available but then, were free to have breakfast, catch up with our friends and then go off and enjoy a couple of hours before we were needed again.

We decided to explore “the other way” and walk along the harbourside to the next bridge, where our friends had discovered a shopping centre.  We were not really in the mood for shopping, but my Hero had left his sweaters at home and I had come without my shower scrubby.  Both of us could manage perfectly well without both things (well, my Hero might shiver) but if we happened to see something suitable, then all the better.

Now how about living in a place like that?  Self contained, neat and very well appointed, this little haven looked the business.  A lockable front gate secured the entrance and that all round balcony would be the perfect spot for enjoying the breeze during the summer.  Quite how it would be in winter, I have no idea, though the chimney and the neatly stacked woodpile outside suggests a cosy woodburner inside to create the renowned hygge.

The waterfront is so walkable and it’s interesting to just wander and watch.  Here, by the Fisketorvet shopping mall was another of those outdoor swimming areas, fenced off from the main harbour and with lifeguard facility and so on, but really, just a section of the harbour.

The Fisketorvet was light and airy and the main feature was, perhaps unsurprisingly,  a shoal of fish.

The shoal was built of thousands of stainless steel fishes, each one reflecting the light from the overhead roof structure and the clear blue sky of the morning.

We’d been told to look for the piano, which appeared to be melting in the heat.

The “drips” went over the edge and down to the lower level, ending in a puddle and a few spots on the floor.  Someone had a sense of humour, anyway!

This looked a probable source of my shower scrubby anyway, so we waited until it was fully open and stepped inside to find an interesting set up.  Just like Tiger or IKEA, there was a well trodden pathway one had to follow – Normal was a budget style drugstore and shower scrubby needs were satisfied!

We did have to walk a mile around the set route to make the purchase however!

Sweater needs were satisfied next door and all was well.  We even had time to peruse the wonderfully stylish home accessories shop next door, where the Copenhagen china and the Eva Solo goods are so covetable.  Danish design is amazing.   (I might also have lingered by the Georg Jensen corner…)

But time was pressing and we had a date with a ship to keep.  Time to head back.

We’ve been incredibly lucky with the weather here.  Such a beautiful city looking at its best in the sunshine – a great start to our trip.

A thirty minute transfer to the cruise terminal and there we were  - and hopefully, fingers crossed, so were our suitcases, last seen at 8am this morning.

We headed right upstairs to enjoy a leisurely lunch on the pool deck with our friends, saying hello to some very familiar faces from time to time.

Sitting under blue skies like this, with a glass of champagne in hand, we decided that life is pretty good.

As if we didn’t know that already.

There’s a chorus of agreement around here, too.

Let the fun begin

It all started yesterday when we packed our bags and tied up loose ends for the house sitters before making our way to Heathrow. 

We decided to stay overnight at the Sofitel to avoid an early start.  The alarm went off at 6am nevertheless, for a 7.30 check in.

Our flight left on time and we did that thing of looking closely at our fellow passengers: were they heading for the same place as we were?  I suspect many of them were, but for now, we enjoyed our independence and could afford to be as anti social as we wanted at this time on a Sunday morning!

We landed at just gone midday and were at the hotel less than an hour later.  We have a fine view of the harbour and on this fine, late summer Sunday afternoon, there was plenty of life out there.  We felt the urge to get out there and share the fun, so we wasted no time at all and left any unpacking till later.

Our travelling companions decided to sit on the windowsill and watch the goings on from a safe distance.

Our hotel, the Marriott, is right on the harbourside and a boardwalk makes for an interesting and easy waterside stroll.  The boardwalk is rather interesting in places, with steep slopes for playing and jumping from, other easier ways into the water, a kayaking facility and places to sit and relax.

Though the clouds were pretty dark at times, the sunshine made its way through and the balmy temperatures made us wish we’d dressed more appropriately – though it was difficult to know what to pack for the next couple of weeks.

Walking along the boardwalk, then, we were amused by the activities going on around us.  Some had opted for a simple picnic, not forgetting the coffee pot of course.

A little further on, someone else was doing a bit of slack-lining.  A little crowd watched and quietly held their breath as he reached the most difficult bit.  He didn’t fall in, but swung below the rope for the steep last section.

I loved to see the wide range of bicycle combinations, with trailers and other assorted equipment for transporting children, animals and shopping.

As we crossed the bridge, we peered over to see the kayakers having fun down there.  It looks so easy…

But I think I’d rather be sitting atop this little cruiser with a glass of something in my hand, given the choice!

Or, we could have thought ahead and hired a picnic boat with our friends.  That’d have been fun!  Maybe next time we will go in and say Ahoy?

Along the harbourside, a fairly large area has been made into a swimming area with a high platform which was providing much entertainment this afternoon.  We watched a while and then walked a little further, where a lively flea market was doing brisk business.

Wedding dress, anyone?  (It was still there when we walked back, so clearly, it wasn’t the one for her!)

Of course, we had to count the windows and spot “ours”: three down, five across – or is it seven?

Gotcha!

As a bunch of – errm – grown ups – rowed past in a coxed four (I say that, because these were undoubtedly not athletes!) I recalled the fun I had when I rowed in a four just like this when I was at college.  Had the opportunity arisen, I’d have jumped at the chance to try it again – no commitment though.  I can’t be signing up for weekly practice or anything!

More activities to watch, this time a bunch of youngsters (and some parents) having fun on scooters.  How interesting that the younger ones are the sensible ones and wear helmets!

Rather than cross back over the bridge and return to the hotel, we decided to stay out a little longer, so continued along the harbourside and past these fine old buildings.

This part of the harbour was rather quieter, though from time to time a speedboat would whizz by.  If we lived in Copenhagen, we’d want a boat, wouldn’t we?  The modern black structure on the other side is the Royal Library or “Black Diamond” as it’s known.

Just as we stood admiring it from a funky kind of bridge right opposite, a tourist boat sailed beneath us.  There’s no doubt, the best way to see the city is from a boat.

Better make it a proper boat, though; something a bit more stable than these youngsters had cobbled together!

A little further along, I caught a glimpse of one of my favourite steeples.  On our last visit here, I created a collage of all the many shapes and patterns and this one stood out.  I think it looks a bit like a helter-skelter, though I wonder if that’s a spiral staircase up the outside?

My other favourite is over on the other side of the harbour and is part of the Slotsholmen complex and peering down a couple of the smaller streets, we were reminded of the TV series Borgen which we binge watched right through!

Just as we were musing on that (my Hero was more probably musing on Sidse Babett Knudsen) we were struck by a sudden rush of people.

Actually, all youngsters, each with a phone in his or her hand.

All were seemingly headed for the same place, which led us to wonder if this was some kind of Pokemon Go thing?

Strange!

Moving right along, then, over small bridges crossing side canals, looking nothing like they could be in the centre of a European capital city.

We were soon back at the boardwalk.  We looked closely at that steep slope into the water and wondered what was its purpose?  Whatever it was, there were people running, jumping into the water and generally having fun and nowhere was there anything to stop them – or to tell them it was all too dangerous.

Feeling weary and very thirsty (we’d taken no krone out with us!) we left the students to study there in the sunshine and headed back to the hotel with one thing in mind.

Cheers!

This evening, after a quick turnaround, we went with our friends to dinner at Host, the most delightful restaurant a short ride away.

A warm welcome from charming staff, who couldn’t be enchanted by the idea of “An Evening at Host: Let us pamper you through the evening with an aperitif, Host menu, wine pairing, water and coffee” ?

That’s exactly what we did.  Rikke, our lovely waitress, steered us through the most delicious (and imaginative) plates of food we have enjoyed anywhere and of course, the company made the evening all the more special.

They were so clever to find that amazing restaurant and we were buzzing from the experience when we got back to the hotel.

What a marvellous start to our adventure!

Silly

My Hero and I have always loved chocolate teacakes and there really are no better examples than those made by Tunnocks.

There are certain traditions to be followed though.

Having eaten the contents of the foil wrapper, then it has to be smoothed out without tearing.  It’s quite a challenge and needs time and care.  Having completed the task and admired the result, there is one final, essential stage.

Screw it up and throw it in the bin. 

Sadly, foil isn’t recycled here.

Learning new things

I’ve been so busy learning new things that it was the 4th of September before I sat down to try to get started on the business of recording them.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was looking to something fairly slick this year, with a busy month ahead.  I had a digital project in mind then, with pages ready set up for a photo and a few words to be slotted in.  I began by taking the easy route, which starts with Anna Aspnes’ Artplay Palettes.  I’ve used them before and like her style, which makes it easy to create something reasonably original in no time at all.

I chose the Artsy palette first, liking the minimal use of figurative images and thinking that I could switch around the colours if I wanted.

As well as a collection of brushes, transfers, overlays and suchlike, it comes with a set of papers ready to go.

Whilst I was choosing which palette to go with, I noted they were all on sale last Friday, so I snuck in a second collection, Escape, which also came with papers and stuff.

A bonus mini palette, High Five, dropped into my basket free of charge, as I checked out.

With that little bundle of tricks in a folder ready to go, I had only to wait for a few spare hours when I could sit at my desk and play.

I started by resizing 30 pages to 5 x 5 inches and putting them into an order which mixed them up yet gave some kind of coherent look over a double page spread.

I began with 1st September, recording my changing priorities around here.  Though I had all the components there on hand, it still took me quite some time to come up with an arrangement I was happy with.  Photoshop was chugging away with so many files open on the desktop, I feared it would come crashing down at one point!

Fresh from the satisfying glow of finishing one page and keeping my fingers firmly crossed, I went straight onto page 2.  On the 2nd September, we were completing the next stage of our Global Entry applications.  One question is entitled “Travel History” and asks for a list of countries visited in the last five years. Well, what a good job that one of us keeps a record of such things

Even so, I was still shocked at the total number!

I already blogged about what I was doing on September 3rd.  When I began the page, I couldn’t get the photo to work at all on the page I’d save as #3 so quickly pulled up #4, a plain page and started from scratch.  I was beginning to feel more confident, remembering some Photoshop tricks I’d learned and was adjusting all kinds of settings to get the look I wanted.

So page four came together in a wink!

What will go on page five, then?  Right now, I have no idea.  I’ve added a few scribbles in my notebook and will weight up the possibilities tomorrow morning, when I’m ready to record it all.  Here’s hoping I can still remember the amazing things that can be done with Photoshop, or page five might have exactly the same story as page four.