At Aarhus we walked through the open air museum of old houses which had been taken apart and reassembled, coming from all over Denmark. It was something like Mystic Seaport or Williamsburg.
Open air museum of old buildings from Denmark
A prehistory museum had artifacts from the stone age and up. We were most impressed with the well-preserved man who had lived about the time of Christ. His throat had been slit, and he was thrown in a peat bog where the tanic acid kept his body in such shape that scientists could identify the seeds he’d eaten just before he died.
In Odense we lost all track of time reading all the labels in the Hans Christian Anderson museum. The poor fellow was indigent when young, fell in love three times, but never married, and lived most of his life staying with well-to-do people who befriended him. He repaid his hosts by entertaining them with stories, giving them his drawings, and cutting fancy paper shapes for them.
We saw the cathedral in Odense and discovered an organ concert scheduled for that evening. We ate at our motel, then went to hear the largest church organ in Denmark. Beautiful.
Organ in rear of church
Front of the cathedral
Kate before the altar
For dinner at the motel John and I had plaice fillets bonne femme with onion and mushroom sauce, boiled potatoes and home made ice cream with fruit sauce.
This incident is amusing to me now, but it wasn’t at the time. My phone was in my hand when it rang. Although I could read nothing on the screen, I hit the right area and was talking to the doctor who had removed my second cataract that morning. He called to ask how I was, and I blurted out something one should never say to an eye surgeon, “I can’t see!”
I should have said I can’t read, or more specifically, I can’t see to read. Perhaps he is used to people being overly dramatic, because he asked if I had any pain. I had the correct answer to that – none.
I could see things at a distance, which was exactly as it should be. I could read ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. That, too, should have been expected, but it was a rude shock. I wanted to let daughters Lise and Kate know that the surgery was successful. I guessed the placement of the icon on the phone for texting, but I couldn’t pick out individual names. John got one for me and touched the microphone icon so that I could dictate. If you’ve ever dictated to a phone, you know it is fraught with danger. It maliciously substitutes bizarre words. Somehow I think we got the news to Kate, and Lise called when she got the initial statement.
I was not prepared for the almost total despair that came over me. How could I get through the rest of the week with grandson David and son John $pencer working and John away for the weekend? If important notices came on the phone or computer, I wouldn’t be able to see them. Deleting spam would be impossible. There would be no writing or commenting on blog posts.
David saved the day, suggesting I get readers found in many stores. I had forgotten that Kate pointed toward a rack of readers in Walmart. David mentioned Dollar General, and we would pass four of them on the way home from the doctor’s office the next morning. John was a life-saver, reading the labels and helping me try them on. At the first store we found a pair of sunglasses with clear glass on the top and lenses for reading on the bottom. The second store had a greater selection of plain readers. I don’t know that I picked the best ones, but I can see the phone and monitor now. In about a month the eyes will have settled enough that I can get new prescription glasses.
We arrived at the cathedral outside Copenhagen in time to hear the service going on and find all the doors securely closed. Felt as if the bridegroom came and we missed him.
In Odense we went to a railway museum which Kate and John thoroughly enjoyed. I saw a waiting room bench I’d like to have taken home; it was painted green and decorated with gold crowns.
Upon arrival in Aarhus, we settled in our fairly spacious room and headed for the restaurant. The motel itself was dinky looking from outside and didn’t prepare us for the exquisite restaurant. The service was French style, the most elegant we had on the whole trip. The food was marvelous – and at that, we weren’t sure what we were getting. The menu was in Danish; the waiter could speak little English and knew few names of foods to describe them to us. I finally asked him what he liked best and ordered that. Turned out to be a thick pork chop with sauce, pineapple slices and water cress served with rice and two little pots of sauces. John had chopped steak covered with onions, and the girls a kind of beef stew. This was also the most expensive meal of the trip.
My jaw dropped when I noticed the hand basin in the motel bathroom – it boasted the first built in metal stopper that we have seen in all Europe. The last one we used was in Stony Brook more than a year ago!
The toilets come in all sizes – or rather, heights. The family room in Sweden with bunk beds had a very low toilet in the bathroom, probably for the benefit of small children. I always wondered half way down if I were aiming right. The toilet in Copenhagen was Just Right, and the one in Aarhus should have been equipped with a step stool.
It afforded much merriment in the car at the Danish word for entrance – infart. Exit – outfart, and a town we passed near – Middlefart. A bus of tourists was labeled right on the front – Tourisfart.
I took the photo below at some point in the trip. We must have been about to board a ferry and found this scene amusing. As cars waited, a petrol cart worked the line. How convenient to have your tank filled when you were forced to sit in your car!
Breakfast in the hotel in Copenhagen was a buffet of cold cuts, cheeses and tasty Danish pastries – the real thing!
We were staying near the palace and walked by to see the guards walking. Every quarter hour they click their heels, fold their arms across their chests to hold their guns, and stroll around. They don’t have the rigid discipline of the English guards.
Royal Palace
Palace Guard
Kate at a guard station
A ride in a harbor boat brought us to the little mermaid statue.
Little Mermaid seen from tour boat
Our Mehrmaid with the Little Mermaid
On the walk back to the hotel we saw old row houses built for seamen in the 1600’s. [Lise said this was near her bus stop when she worked in a building near the Little Mermaid.]
European cities have public toilets galore and places to buy expensive sodas on every other corner, but no water fountains! We got so thirsty walking around on dry, hot days, but didn’t want to lug heavy water around all the time.
We found an ad for a 100% Danish restaurant that welcomes children and was within walking distance. There was even a children’s menu! – unheard of in England at a good restaurant. Kate chose chicken; Lise, beef, and John and I fried fish. His had Bearnaise sauce, and I had the sauce with shrimp and asparagus again.
Birds were on the table when we sat down; their calling cards prompted us to request cleaning of the tablecloth. The waiter solved the problem to HIS satisfaction by cheerfully turning the dirty cloth over.
The highlight of the day featured low light on one of daughter Kate’s last days here. John, Kate, grandson David, and I went up on the Blue Ridge Parkway hoping to catch a gorgeous sunset. It was far from spectacular, but we used our phones/cameras, anyway.
This was my best shot.
There is only one photo from the most fantastic day of Kate’s visit. Son John $pencer took her and David to Lake Logan, where they went out in two canoes. $ was the only one with a phone, because the other two were not willing to risk their new phones on the water. Wise move. There isn’t much to show for their exciting adventure, but their memories are stellar.
A morning walk is exciting enough for us older folks. Thankfully, the animals came out to greet Kate to add sparkle to the morning.
Kate pets CAT
Smoky says hello to Kate
We shopped at two stores that Kate does not have in New Jersey and went on the parkway once more in daylight. The night seemed short, because all too soon she was in her car going home. The drive will take 14 or 15 hours. We have wonderful memories of her week’s visit, the only regret being that we live so far away.
Sweden is a land of broad valleys near the sea, and the wheat harvest was in full tilt. We drove from Oslo to Helsingborg, spent the night and began our exploration of Denmark. We really didn’t see enough of Sweden to be able to compare it with Denmark and Norway.
On arrival in Copenhagen, John was told at the desk that the room he had booked was not available! Would you believe we slept in the loft of a warehouse? That’s the luxurious warehouse at right.
Actually the whole hotel was a converted warehouse right on the water front. We were given a two-story room on the top floor, which was better than the one we’d booked. The lower level had the bathroom and living room with convertible sofa. Up the open curved stairway was the sleeping loft with king-sized bed. We liked the huge exposed beams – at first to look at, and then to hang the wash over when we found no laundry open on the weekend. The window in the roof opened, and really kept the rooms cool.
This is the only photo where I can’t tell the sisters apart.
We arrived in Copenhagen at the height of summer weather. Half of Europe seemed to be thronging the pedestrian streets. We wandered along the shopping area and into Tivoli gardens.
We thought the entrance fee for our family at $6 was expensive, so we stayed to get our money’s worth. After a couple of hours, I thought the park benches worth the price!
Kate cooled her feet.
The girls had carnival rides, and we bought food. I was amazed at all the people. According to a tourist guide 40,000 people stroll in Tivoli every day. I think we met them all! From the restaurant where we ate dinner, we heard a band and saw a tight-wire act. The free concert that evening was a treat – two pianists playing Haydn and Brahms. Sitting for the music helped our sore feet so that we felt like strolling further to enjoy the lavish display of lights around buildings, over walkways, under water and in the trees.
Several times in Denmark we ate fried plaice with a sauce of asparagus and shrimp. It seems to be a national dish, and what a good one!
Our family went out alone to do a few errands in Oslo. John and I did one errand together, then split while leaving the girls in the car. Much to my surprise, I got lost and couldn’t find the car! I almost broke out in a cold sweat, but then found the right parking lot.
We went to museums to see a part of a real Viking ship and a reproduction of another. Also saw Kon-Tiki and Fram.
Part of a real Viking ship
Reproduction of a Viking ship
We went to Frogner Park, the one with lots of statues.
Seeing the ski jump, Holmenkollen, was fantastic. It’s where the next world’s cup match will be held. This is a view from one side.
They have just finished extending the gate at the top; I was very uneasy that high up with the gentle summer breezes almost howling. Kate joined me in those feelings. I can’t imagine anyone being willing, much less eager, to step out and sail down on skis.
For dinner we had home made soup and Norwegian pancakes. After that the Osnes girls stayed home with the boys while the rest of us went to visit Hal and Bjorg at their apartment. What a lovely home! The colors and woods and fabrics are so warm. Bjorg served Julekaka, coffee cake, a chocolate biscuit and candy dessert with coffee, then a choice of 7-Up or a non-alcoholic Norwegian beer often served to skiers. We were glad to have tasted it, but decided the taste would have to be acquired.
August 3 Olag and I went shopping in downtown Oslo taking the six children with us. We had a picnic between the palace of the king and the parliament building. Olag had prepared open face sandwiches of cold cuts, cheese, and brown cheese on waffles. We were royally entertained by a band and soldiers drilling. To cool us off we had ice cream cones. What a treat! The ice cream was so much better than anything we’ve had in England.
Riding the T-Banen was much like riding a clean New York subway of years ago. It was very convenient to walk to from the Osnes home, let us out at the shops we wanted to explore, but cost a total of $10 round trip for the 8 of us.
In the supermarket near their home were the cutest miniature shopping carts just the right size for 2 – 6 year olds to push beside their mothers. On further thought, it might be that since food is so expensive there, you can only afford to fill one of those tiny carts.
For dinner that night we had fried fish pudding, boiled potatoes, mixed vegetables and cherry cake. They put slices of tomato and springs of dill on the fish pudding and made it look festive.
August 4 We made a leisurely start for the Osnes summer house south of Oslo. Eivind’s parents seemed glad to see us swoop upon them without warning. In one trip down the only access to the house from land, a steep footpath, we managed to carry bathing suits, towels, food for two meals, a grill and charcoal. The children paddled about in the freezing water, went in the rowboat with Mr. O, and had fun running and yelling.
The house was right on the fjord with a lovely level yard in front. The cottage had four bunk beds, a living/dining room, kitchen and no running water. At the moment all the water is walked down in bottles.
Kate was impressed with the toilet facilities. She said, “I’ve never seen a loo and a garden shed all in one!”
For middag we had grilled hot dogs, rolls, potato salad, Olag’s homemade cloudberry cake, and the sweetest strawberries I’ve ever eaten. Putting sugar on those berries would be like pouring syrup over a candy bar. They were perfect just as they were.
We relaxed and talked with the senior Osnes couple before leaving for World’s End. The boulders are all rounded at the tip!
Our families at World’s End
We picked a few raspberries beside the road, had a picnic of cheeses, cold cuts, home made rolls and cake.
Vertical picking of raspberries
The drive back to Oslo was pleasant in the evening twilight and mist. As an extra special treat the girls were allowed to stay up till after midnight looking at home movies. We saw clips of John’s sister’s family in Oslo and all the movies from the O’s year in the US.
Daughter Kate enjoyed wandering around our supermarket on shopping day, comparing our store to the one she works in. We ate lunch at home before going to Cataloochee, hoping to see elk. It was out of season and early afternoon, so our hopes were not high. On the way, we stopped at a hidden overlook to get a broad view of the valley.
We hadn’t been in the elk area very long when Kate spotted the first one, calmly eating near the road. John took this photo out the window for me.
We stopped to go through one of the old houses left in the park. I’ve been through the house many times, so I stayed on the bridge over the stream. When David and Kate came back, they walked down the stream looking at birds perched over the water.
On the way out of the park, Kate exclaimed that she spotted an elk. John backed up and parked. There were five of them in the woods! I took a shot of the action I saw, which was of David and Kate taking photos. It had begun to rain, making my picture a bit spotty. If you look between Kate’s nose and hand, you can see an elk standing up in the background.
Going to the creek does not count as hiking, but it was a good start to the day. We try to take a photo of our walking partners, at least the first time during a visit.
Sadie, Kate and John at the creek
Kate is really good with Sadie, which is a total surprise. As a toddler, Kate was terrified of anything that moved quickly, especially dogs. She has worked hard to conquer this fear. Here is proof – Kate is testing a harness on Sadie after adjusting it for a better fit.
At breakfast, David casually tossed croissants on his plate. He got up late on his first day of vacation, eating after the rest of us had finished.
I said, “You can do better than that.”
I tried to balance the croissants against each other, but I’m not good at it. I turned around once, and David had them in position.
David’s goal for the day was for him to swim with his mother at Catawba falls. David, John, and I had been there in January 2020 when he took this photo. John and I did not get that far, because there was a rushing stream over the path to the falls. We stayed behind as David picked his way over a few stones above the water. Obviously, he didn’t swim that day because it was much too cold.
Catawba Falls
We made a good start on the hike when Kate and David went down to touch the stream on the way up.
John opted to stay in the car. I felt triumphant when I crossed the stream that had stopped me before. Not only was the temperature warmer, but the stream was low.
The path became steeper and rockier. When we came to this scene where David is on the rocks looking back, I paused.
I felt daring to get as far as I had. It would have been foolhardy to continue. I saw the angle of David’s feet and knew I could easily twist my metal knees. I’ve seen a mountain rescue before, and I did not want to be carried out. They were very understanding and felt comfortable leaving me to sit on a large rock on the left. I enjoyed the people and dogs passing by and played games on my phone. As it turned out, they did not make it to the swimming place, either. The climb was too steep for Kate. They played in a smaller pool, chilled themselves thoroughly, and came back down.
It was several hours beyond our mealtime, so we ate at the first restaurant we came to, a Chinese buffet. The food was good, and we all looked forward to the soft ice cream. We ate ours, and David brought his with him. We say he has a professional advantage to loading a cone, because he does it often at Burger King. We had enjoyed our whole day and came home tired, but happy.
A blog about life challenges in mostly fictional writing based on some fact. I am trying this Blog thing out because I need a creative outlet and am amazed at everything my iPad can do to help me along the way. So why not, right ?
My name is Suki, my human is a writer, and this is about my world. The world according to Suki The Cat. My humans smell funny, look weird, and I can't understand a thing they say, but they feed me, so hey, what are you gonna do?
Mehrling Muse 