København by Streets, by Canals and by Foot!

Hard to drag ourselves up out of bed this morning.  We both slept like logs the night before and having to get moving was hard!  But, we did it... and once we got going, we were good to go all day which proved to be much nicer than the rain last evening!

Maersk is headquartered here... you know, the container shipping company we see all over at home.  The founder lived till 98 years and has left quit a legacy here, including a beautiful new Opera House... which is on the canal directly across from the Queens and Prince's Palaces.  And, since we were in this end of town, had to check out the "Little Mermaid" on the rock.... along with a couple hundred folks wanting to see her too!  Lots of people sculptures all over (famous historical people I'm talking about...)  Saw a spectacular one called Gefian...  it shows a woman who was promised by the king to own as much land as she could plow in one night.  The woman turns her four sons into oxen and they start plowing the land that was to become to island of Zealand.  Zealand is where Copenhagen is located... there... some history for you!

Saw the real crowned jewels at the treasury in the Rosenborg Slot built in 1700 something... They were sparkly and beautiful... but all behind glass and protected as the Queen still wears them for events today.  Also checked out the castle... small by most standards... even the crowned folks thought so and didn't use that one much...

As the day ticked on, Jer and I took a canal cruise... YES another canal city!  Nice little respite and fascinating how the boats are built to adapt to all the low bridges.  It was a great time for Jerry to snooze sitting up!  Later in the afternoon, going on 2, we decided time for a meal... and found the greatest little spot... Danish food with a twist they said... very yummy and very European.  Had some prosecco... and thought of Diva Liz!  Plus, they had the coolest umbrella's to shade your table...

No trip to Copenhagen would be complete without a visit to Tivoli Gardens- Well, gardens and restaurants and rides, rides, rides, etc... Fun for kids by day, and beautiful for adults by night when it is all lit up.  We had plans to stay till the lights came on... but alas... we is old, we is tired, we is not wanting to be out till 11pm tonight...

Tomorrow we will venture out to the countryside... and then, around 4 in the afternoon take an overnight ferry to Oslo Norway... We'll have our own cabin which will be nice but, it is gonna be interesting for sure!!!

 Just a little snooze before the Tour was over!!!!

Love these umbrellas!

Diva Liz Inspiration!

Copenhagen here we come!!!!

Woke up bright and early... Our room had no drape on this cute little triangle window... Sun is up at 3:30ish am... Jean, woke up shortly thereafter... Did manage to fall back asleep but kept waking up... Oh, and the cell phone message notification at 1 am didn't help... Daughter #2... Are you up?...Mom... I am now... But, truly, don't mind at all talking to my kidlet no matter what the time... Wish she felt the same way... AND, Halley , Daughter #1 is home from the hospital!!!!

Took a shower in that funny little shower I showed on the blog yesterday.  The water stays out of the room and just a little water escaped!  Jer and I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast... then, he went to work helping some clients... yes... even here!!!!...  Got on board our coach and proceeded to fall asleep on the way to Sofiero Gardens...

The Gardens were beautiful!  I have never, never seen so many Rhodies in one place.  The blooms were spent, but there was still so much more to see.  How about apples trees that grow to knee height (call Climb Over Apples)... with Apples on the limbs.  They surround one particular garden that has veggies and flowering plants growing within the perimeter.  There was a green house growing grapes... from a grape vine 80 years old.... Drizzle now and then... but nothing overwhelming!

The gardens were a gift from their King who lived there first as a summer place, than more and more most of the time... In his will, when he passed (I think in the 1970's), he gave it to the city where it is located for all to see.  Tonight, BOB DYLAN... he's performing there... so the castle/home was all hidden by a huge sound stage.  Mr. Dylan performed there once before in early 2000... he must have liked it if he's coming back again!  What a gorgeous venue it was, only spoiled by all the port-a-potties they brought in... and the ones for men that give NO privacy at all!!!

Great dinner tonight.. wine... chocolate for dessert... what else could one want!  Looking forward to a great day tomorrow!

 The big stage....

 A bit of the garden life!

 The 'climb over' Apples... you climb over them to get in the garden!

 Two rows of these potties on either side of the lawn in front of the stage!

 Patti... here is one of the rapeseed fields... with the wind blow down like you showed me happened to the cornfields in Illinois after a big wind storm.  They are trying to genetically engineer the plant so it has shorter stalks so this won't happen as much....

 Once in Denmark... this statue of Hans Christian Andersen... I laughed when I saw the window behind him... looks like he is holding an IPAD!!!!!

 First off, this is the view from our room... plus... after the deluge we were caught in doing the geocache, the rainbow seemed just perfect!

On to Toftaholm...and a few sites on the way and Jerry does some Folk Dancing!

Well, the sun hid from us today... overcast and even a bit of drizzle now and then... but not when we were out and about.  We travelled to Toftaholm and are staying in a 600 year old Manor Home.  Toftaholm has a rich history (as does every town/city here) and it always makes me realize what a baby country the USA is! 

Left about 9 am and arrived at Lofstad Slott for our lunch.... a MEATCAKE!!!! What the heck... we weren't sure what to expect.  It was in an old castle... which to me, didn't seem like a castle, at least the ones I'm use to! Now... as to the Meatcake... the meal was delish.. and the Meatcake reminded me of a 'Salisbury Steak.'  Also, I will tell you this... Sweden is NOT AFRAID TO USE THEIR SALT SHAKER!... Everything is quite salty.

Left there and thought I'd settle in for a snooze when we stopped to see a Runestone is typically a raised stone with a runic inscription...of Norse heritage... That's all I'm saying... the church next to the stone was quaint and sweet... surrounded by a graves... Curious about the Runestone... Google it...

Travelled along the country side and the 2nd biggest lake in Sweden.  Saw a town know for making candy canes... and boy... did they have alot of Candy Canes!  Just wasn't my or Jerry's thing, so we walked a bit.  Then, on to our destination.

Our room is quaint, the Host and Hostess most friendly and our dinner was great!  Love meeting all the new folks and since we are a small group, it's easy to get to know everyone!  We were treated to some Scandinavian Folk Dancing... and at the end, one gal dragged Jerry on the floor with her!  We all know how Jerry feels about dancing... BUT, he went with and had a good time!  As an aside... I can certainly where square dancing has it's roots...

After dinner, found a footbridge on the property and had a pic taken.  Forgot to do that in Stockholm.... okay... Can't say it's dark out yet... the dark of night doesn't show up till 10:30... But, gonna try to get some shut eye! 

 They grow lots of Rapseed... used to make canola oil...

Check out this shower....

 Then you swing the walls out!!!!

 Sweet Little Babies!

 So, Pam and I went out and danced with each other... and took a selfie at the same time!

 A beautiful Dinner setting overlooking the lake!

 AHA... a bridge pic!