Slowly, thoughts of my return creep in. I still have four nights in Europe, which, on a typical trip, would be half my getaway. Nevertheless, the period after my travels is looming big and I'm starting to focus a little on it, not because I want to, but because I have to. A move is a move, and this is a big one -- a final settling into my home.
But in the meantime, I am in Copenhagen, and the weather is remarkably un-Danish -- warm air. Europe is experiencing a heat wave in the coming days. The unimaginable temperature of over 105F/41C in Paris. The Nordic countries translate this to a pleasant warm spell, with temperatures reaching 78F/25C here, while Paris is sweltering. You have to feel sorry for western Europe, where air conditioning is not common. And we surely do feel lucky with the lovely weather in Denmark.
*. *. *
My first breakfast is at the hotel and it comes in stages. Should I be satisfied with just yogurt, muesli and milky coffee?
Nope. Berries added.
That will do, right?
Nope. Cardamon roll added.
My second breakfast is with the young family: we walk to the Hart Bakery in the old meat packing district,
(a happy city, with lots of bicycles...)
It's a bakery we love completely, for its cardamon croissants and buns and everything else they offer.
("should I get something else?")
(The answer was -- yes)
(The walk home)
*. *. *
The girls want to go to Tivoli. And well they might. When you have a room that looks out onto the park, you are tempted! It's a good way to relax in Copenhagen. I join them there. And I fall in love with their flowers all over again!
It's positively inspirational! No marigold pelargonium combos here! You get the feel of meadow flowers without a meadow. And roses -- which of course, are my special interest this year.
As for the rides -- well, I find it interesting that Primrose and Juniper fell for the same two rides at Tivoli that were Snowdrop's favorites. And it's not that this is a universal preference. These are not ones where others are begging to repeat again and again.
I leave them right around lunchtime. I had the idea that I would rest and pack. I did neither. So much to process, photos to edit, a quick snack to grab at the downstairs cafe...
And a bit after 4 we set out toward the dock where you can get on a boat and tour the waterways of Copenhagen. This is a must, because you cannot feel the pulse of the city without giving your attention to the sea, the canals, the islands that seem to bubble up from water. And the people love it -- the shores, the plunge into the cold waters of the harbor. There are young people everywhere you look -- full of appreciation for this gift of warm sunshine.
After an hour on the water, we get off and walk to our restaurant for dinner.
It's a special place: my daughter came here with her husband and one year old Primrose on their first trip to Copenhagen. They went back to it three years ago, while I babysat Primrose and one year old Juniper. And this year, we're all eating here together.
It's called Barr and it is exquisite.
Were I in Copenhagen alone, I would never go there. It's in the hub of a very lively place of open air eateries, of people everywhere, meeting up over a drink or two. You'd feel strange sitting alone at a table here. Too, it's about a 35 minute walk from the hotel -- not a distance I typically like to set for myself for a dinner alone. But with the four of them? It's just superb. I want to note especially all the green spring vegetables (asparagus, peas, baby potatoes) all smothered in green herbs. But also the schnitzels: I chose a mushroom one and it set me thinking -- maybe I should cook something like it at home...
(my plate of food... that's a red nasturtium!)
The girls were angelic. A long dinner -- they worked on their art, they wrote postcards to their cousins.
Such an evening!
Just three more photos, because really, it's our last evening together, and it's been an incredibly grand week!
Enchanting. Simply enchanting!
Tomorrow, we leave Copenhagen. I head east, they go west.
with so much love!!!
