'Ello, 'Ello, 'Ello

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am back.  Things at work have (slightly) calmed down, the barrage of visitors have left (momentarily), and we aren't traveling (well, until the end of the July). Have you missed me? I have missed you.

Seriously, since February,  it has been jam-packed busy full of stuff, events, people, and more stuff.  We had more snows in early March.  Stirling and Biscuit loved it of course. 

 

A Danish friend was in town and celebrated his 40th birthday with us...

 

 ...and then made us dinner, including an amazing lemony-light dessert, complete with flag.

A Belgian friend who moved to Seattle, then moved to L.A., and then went to Belgium, came for a visit and brought me this ambrosia spread. 

 We then went to China (again), only this time, I had Flat Stanley to accompany me on the trip.

We were in Xi'an, where the terra cotta warriors are, and they are AMAZING. 

 Seriously, amazing.  But Xi'an is otherwise pretty terrible.

We then went to Hong Kong, where I still got to watch my Wildcats defeat their rivals, the Louisville Cards, in the March Madness Tournament.  I was also able to call and leave harassing, sore winner messages on my father's cell phone.  

We spent a few rainy but fun-filled days in Hong Kong, traveling to the Peak to see the pillar-like tall buildings raising above the clouds. 

We even managed to make to Macao, and really, there isn't much there other than this church front and lots and lots of casinos, which are oddly quiet.  The Chinese like their gamble, with no sides of entertainment or drinks. 

In April, we went home to Louisville for Easter and to see my sister and her family who had come into town.

and I finally got to meet my newest niece, Vivi.

My sisters even managed to throw together a semi-surprised shindig for my 40th birthday, that included a dropped bottle of bourbon, a fabulous sash, and an encounter with the police. 

 While there, we walked across the new foot bridge over the Ohio River...

...and had an Easter Egg Hunt at Aunt Matie's, where Chloe got to chillax on the blanket with her cousins around.

We returned to DC to then host another birthday party that was overwhelming for me, as 75+ people singing "Happy Birthday" to you only could be. I took solace in the 200 oysters we had shucked for the event.

Followed by, what else: German Chocolate cupcakes and a reunion of almost all of the Tilden Folks. 

My birthday party weekend included a snuggle with Luna, only Will did most of that.

Then, in May, came cousins, in-laws, brother, nieces, and parents; Will's were here for nearly three weeks.  We went on boat rides, saw the pandas, had a scavenger hunt in Old Town, remade curtains, glued soles back on shoes, and had many fabulous cook-outs underneath the canopy of lights in our back yard.

So you can see, I haven't been idle.  I just haven't been able to sit down and tell you all that has happened.  Though, now, I believe I can.  Just after I finish this most delicious vodka, cuz after all of that, I need a drink! 

Odense, Denmark

town hall

The final destination for us in Denmark was the city of Odense, on the island of Funen.  Funen is the second largest island in Denmark and Odense is famous for one thing apparently: Hans Christian Andersen was born here.  He left at age 18 as soon as he could but there are statues to him and his fairy tales everywhere in the city and you can visit his childhood home and a museum dedicated to him and his writing.  We didn't, but you could.  We instead wandered around the city and went to the Danish Railway Museum instead.

Andersen's "Flying Trunk"

 Odense is named after "Odin's Vi" or Odin's shrine that existing some 1000 years ago.  Nothing of it remains.  Today, it is Denmark's third largest city.  We enjoyed seeing a less touristy city and loved that our hotel room was substantially bigger than in Copenhagen, but that the bed had two pillows each!

entrance into Munke Mose, one of the green spaces in Odense

eating a traditional Danish chocolate: marzipan, flavored creme, and chocolate

so sugary sweet

another statue to Andersen's stories

feeding the ducks along the canal

boat houses along the canal

woodland path in the Hunderup Woods

Danish Railway Museum

All Aboard!

better get your ticket ready!

luxury car with railway wheels--for the big wig owners of the railways

bridge over the canal

After three days in Odense, we headed back to the States via London.  So long,  Denmark!  Thanks for the great vacation! 

Roskilde Church

On our way from Copenhagen to Odense, we hopped off the train at Roskilde to visit the Vikings Museum and to see the Roskilde Cathedral-- a UNESCO site since 1995, and you know how we feel about going to those!  This cathedral is where almost all of the Danish Kings and Queens are buried-- 38 of them.

There have been at least two churches on the site of the present cathedral.  Construction for the cathedral began in 1170 when Absalon, the founder of Copenhagen, was bishop here.  The main parts of the church were completed by 1280, but with each century and each monarch, work has continued.

center walkway

The church was Catholic before the Reformation came to Denmark in 1536.  The building was remodeled in the new Protestant style, then, including removing several of the side alters.  Since the Reformation, all of the Danish kings, most of the Danish queens,  and many of their children have been buried here. 

Danish coat of arms in silver, on the side of one of the coffins

After seeing other buildings of his, it isn't surprising to learn that Christian IV made his chapel very ornate and grandiose.  The current Queen Mathilde II has chosen to be interned in the St. Brigitte;s chapel. There was a model of her final memorial: glass and gold, supported by elephant heads. 

a model of the memorial coffins for the current Queen and her consort

Most of the monarchs' chapels are off to the sides.  They were an array of white marble to rococo gilding.  The most overwhelming to me was Christian IV's chapel.  On the wall are paintings of the King during the battle of Kolberger Heide in 1644-- where he lost his eye in battling the Swedish fleet.  King Christian IV (1577-1648) began his rule of Denmark and Norway in 1588 and is best known for the great builder of Copenhagen.  That man's initials were on practically everything in that city!

Christian IX (1863-1906) and Louise in the Glucksberger Chapel

Christian IV's Chapel, with statue of the king

pulpit and the organ

the high alter

Christian IV's chapel: Anna Catherine (fore right), Christian IV (right middle; 1588-1648), Heir Apparent Christian (back right), Sophie Amalie (fore left), Frederik III (far left; 1648-1670)

Frederik II (1559-1588) and Sophie in the Chapel of the Magi

 Royal sarcophaguses behind the high alter: Louise (left), Duke Christopher (middle), Frederik IV (foreright), and Christian V (back right).

the center aisle towards the High Alter

Krag's Chapel

Christian VI (1730-1746; middle), Frederik VII (1848-1863; left), and Louise of Hessen

Frederik V (1746-1766)

behind the high alter, looking to the dome

choir stalls

Fred the 8th

16th century clock with St. George charging the dragon every hour

Queen Margrethe I (1375-1412)