The Sun is shining in Copenagen

Just a side note, when I sign in to update my blog, the sign in information is in Danish, it is scary how much my computer knows.

Tragedy struck right after I finished blogging the other day. Nor's i-phone shorted out. And hard as it is to believe there is NO Apple Store in Copenhagen. Rick you may not want to visit here. Anyway, without his i-phone Nor is without his podcasts, GPS, right arm, movies and third son. He is really taking it much better than I would. Fortunately, we still have my i-phone and the little laptop.

We saw Rosenborg Castle today. It is right in the middle of town, although when it was built in 1661 it was out of town. It is filled with momentos and furnishings from the 1600's forward. We purchased a little guidebook and took our own time to see what we were interested in.

There does seem to be an interest in bodily functions around here. I don't recall ever seeing the privy on other castle tours but here we was the the king's inner sanctum and of course were introduced to the privy in the Round Tower. While the King's waste went into the moat I shudder to think where the stuff went from the round tower, which is attached to the church and is not on the water.

There were three floors of rooms to visit, each facinating. On the top floor, were the thrones and silver lions from the 1600's used in the coronations. One room off this huge room was filled floor to ceiling with venetian glassware. There were shelves all the way up the walls with glasses and platters and decanters. On the otherside of the room was a small bright room used as an office by the king, with a silver desk and chair. In the walls were locked closed cabinets that used to contain the royal regalia, the king had the only key and no one could see the regalia without his permission.

There were a number of goblets that used a nautilus shell as the bowl set on a pedestal of gold or silver.

In the basement, guarded by Danish soldiers were the crown jewels and other magnficent silver and gold items. Amber is most popular here and there were lovely examples of the use of amber, including carved goblets and chests.

Ivory too is used alot here, there were some lovely examples of deliciately carved statues and goblets.

We wander the beautiful grounds and then walked to the National Museum.
The museum tracing the history of Denmark from pre-history through today.

We spent too much time with the pre-history and had to rush through the next 2000 years. When we come back I will definitely spend more time on the middle ages to 1800's. Once we got to the 20th century it was clear that the country was much more globalized, with the Beatles and Star Wars being given pride of place as important parts of the culture.

Back the Magasin du Nord for wine and other food for dinner. Back to the hotel to rest some really tired feet.

Tomorrow Rosekilde and the Vikings!