It dawned on me yesterday that it’s not long before our trip to Copenhagen. Writing a list as we speak, although the first thing I’ve scribbled down is ‘Write a list’. Have money to sort out (it’s a while since we’ve ordered any currency other than euros), miniature bottles of toiletries to hunt out and I must try and decide where we plan to go during our short trip. Thankfully Emma who writes at A Scandinavian Sojourn has been a godsend. Emma is an English mum living in Copenhagen at the moment and she has already emailed me with loads of useful information about places to go. I keep reading her blog to try and immerse myself in the Danish way of life. Her latest post regarding the traditional Danish chimney sweep who arrived at her door, complete with top hat, won’t help me organise my city break but it certainly raised a smile. Go and have a look at him!
I’ve been to Denmark twice before. The first time, in 1977, my parents took my brother and me on a short trip to Copenhagen; it was a group holiday via the local newspaper. The Newcastle Evening Chronicle and The Journal often organised trips and Mum was very adept in getting in quick as the holidays were always pretty good value and a fantastic way for us to try out new places.
I was 12 when we flew to Copenhagen and my memories of the trip are patchy. I remember it was early Spring but it was bitterly cold. I suspect I whinged a lot as we trudged round. But I do recall my brother and I becoming friendly with some other kids on the trip. My brother was 15 at the time and one of the other boys in the group, also 15 or 16, had managed to buy a pack of rude playing cards from a local shop. The lads were quite amazed at the pornographic material available in the little newsagent and I was equally amazed at the photos on each of the cards. We kids played cards in the hotel lobby at night. It was quite hard to concentrate on Go Fish when there was a woman accommodating a donkey on the three of clubs.
While I was gaining an education, the adults organised their own entertainment in the dining room. One of the group could play the piano so my mum got up to sing, closely followed by one chap whose party piece was to hit his head and thigh with a metal tray as an accompaniment to him singing Mule Train. There was also a gynaecologist in the group who did a bit of stand-up (comedy, in case you’re wondering). It was a fun night.
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| The highlight of our holiday? |
My second trip to Denmark occurred in 1982 after I’d finished my A levels. My friend Colette and I decided to book a short trip to Esbjerg, taking the ferry from Newcastle. In hindsight it wasn’t the best choice for a wild weekend away without our parents. We had a tiny cabin in the bowels of the ship, Colette was sea-sick for most of the journey and when we got to Esbjerg we had about four hours to wander about before getting back on the ferry to come home. Club 18-30 it wasn’t.
Thank you Trish, that's lovely! I am very glad to have been of service, just give me a shout if you need any further pointers! You will be pleased to hear that spring has well and truly arrived, and all the chairs and tables have been wheeled out of storage and are adorning the pavements as we speak (don't worry, I did touch wood for you when I wrote this)… Emma 🙂
“a woman accommodating a donkey”??? That must be one hell of a B&B…
@Emma – Pavement cafes! Now you're getting me all excited. Thanks again for all your advice.
@Steve – Well there was no room at the inn.
Oh, the days when you had to make your own entertainment. Wasn't that bloke with the tin tray on the telly?
@The Dotterel – I think he was a poor copy; or what we would now call a 'tribute act'.
Please let me assume the lady was accommodating the donkey in a barn. Fingers in ears LALALALALA Presumably you would have to be the size of a barn to accomodate a donkey, dear god there's a thought I would rather have never had…thanks for that..couldn't we have just mused over the Little Mermaid for a while? mused, I said mused!
OH.MY.GOd! A woman and a donkey?
Kelloggsville and Wylye Girl – as I recall it looked like a donkey. It may have been a very hairy chap, like the Joy of Sex beardy man – this was 1977 after all.
Hahahaha, a woman accommodating a donkey! I laughed aloud. Are you sure you didn't get those in Mexico? Also, I love that almost everyone picked out the woman and donkey to comment on. We're a filthy bunch, really. I guess it's true about women dating asses. 🙂
@Veg Assassin – I think you're right, you buggers just speed-read through the boring bits of the post and then your eyes land 'woman accommodating a donkey' and you're on it like a rash. Don't know why I bother with the cultured stuff (what cultured stuff??)
Voice of culture coming in.
You lucky lucky thing. You know Denmark is the hottest place to be right now don't you? I mean, not literally hot, what with The Killing and everything. I've had to make do with Google Earth and Lonely Planet. Not sure about the food though. Pickled herrings.
Can't wait to hear about it.
Had to laugh at the playing cards story! Can't wait to read about your upcoming trip there.
@Deer Baby – I forgot you've been researching Denmark. Is there anything you want me to find out for you? I can't believe 'The Killing' has only just reached my radar – must see if it's on the internet to watch.
@Funky Wellies – a bit of smut is always a good addition to any blog post, I find!
Frankly, I got as far as the woman and donkey and my mind's been boggling ever since. I must have led a sheltered life (thank goodness!).
@Sarah – I was scarred for life! Never liked singing 'Little Donkey' at Christmas ever since!
Looking forward to hearing about your trip. Is Copenhagen the one with the mermaid? You're a brave woman to be returning after the Three of Clubs thingy. There was none of that at Ohope Beach camp ground where we spent our summers, with the only controversies being whether to have an ice-cream or ice-block twice a day.
@About last weekend – Yes, it's the one with the Mermaid!Though she's been visiting China recently and has only just returned – thank heavens – imagine going all the way to Copenhagen only to find the famous statue has been replaced by a video!?