Finally, I made it back to the UK however the long haul flight really took it out of me, even with the airport assistance (invaluable). I found myself back in Blighty but quite run down and even needed some support from the good old NHS. It was quite lovely not having to even think about payment. I honestly don’t think that we appreciate our health services enough.

Originally we had planned an action packed month traversing the country a couple of times and visiting people that I hadn’t seen for a long time. It was going to be a squeeze to fit everyone in and sort out the house but I was looking forwards to it. However all that had to be curtailed and I was forced to pace myself, sleeping regularly and cancel it cut short some visits, which was a great shame but necessary.

One of the things which we did prioritize was Oliver & Steph’s first wedding anniversary celebration which was held in the same venue as the wedding which I had missed.

It was a nice opportunity to meet some of Steph’s extended family and to catch up with mine.

But in all the visiting we had planned a little break for just us. A mini break somewhere that we hadn’t been before. Kevin had arranged it all and we went for a long weekend to Copenhagen.

The weather was dull, wet and dreary when we left Manchester but we arrived to glorious sunshine. It was lovely to be in a European city after 6 years traveling around Asia. Little things like coffee in the hotel rooms (although I did actually miss not getting my 2 bottles of water) and no noodles for breakfast!!!

We took a sightseeing tour on a boat around the canals.

The Danish in the 1600s wanted to attract the wealth of the Dutch so modeled much of their new city on Amsterdam hoping to attract lots of guilder but it turned out that the Dutch preferred their own Amsterdam because everyone there spoke their own language. So the experiment in Copenhagen failed. All that remains are the colorful buildings.

Below is an interesting recycling plant, the one with the chimney on the right. It burns rubbish to generate power for the city. At the side is the world’s largest climbing wall AND a dry ski slope! How innovative! This is the way we should all be going really. I was impressed.

The navel vessel beside it is known as the ‘whoops-y-Daisy’ due to an unfortunate incident a few years ago when the captain accidentally fired a missile into a group of holiday homes, destroying 4 completely and damaging 140 others (one of which belonged to his mother-in-law!) He apparently got off scot free and the missile launching company was blamed for faulty equipment!

Which isn’t. This is in fact an ordinary stone bridge painted to look more opulent with a marble effect but which ended up costing much more than if they had used marble in the first place!!! The folly of mankind.

Where Hamlet was performed on its opening night. This theatre is interesting because it is built on special poles which absorb body heat and recycle it to form the heating in the building. another great innovation.

It’s much smaller than you imagine. Commissioned by the son of the founder of the Carlsburg brewery (yes Kevin had some) and modeled on the likeness of two different people. A famous ballerina called Ellen Price and the sculptor’s wife (as Ellen Price refused to pose naked). She has been vandalized many times and has had at least two new heads. So locally she is known as ‘Frankenstein’.

I love the shape of this spire. There are dragons at the base which were placed there as protection against fire (this is a very Chines idea and animal spirit protection can be seen on many rooflines in Asia). It has worked here though as despite several fires the building has remained untouched.

This is the view from our room. We got an upgrade (thank you Kevin). More lovely spirals. It looks to me like a helter skelter.