Yesterday began with a 6:00 AM wake-up call. We wanted to get back to the bike rental place in Malmo at opening time (7:30) so we could return the bikes as soon as possible. I have to admit, we were a little concerned about what was going to happen. Would they charge us for another day? Had our credit card already been charged the full bike replacement fee? Would we get back to Copenhagen in time to take a bus tour for which we’d already paid? Bill had a little trouble sleeping last night thinking of all the possible outcomes, but as it turned out, we walked up to the rental counter, announced that we were there to return 2 bikes, and that was it! It was sort of anti-climactic! We got our receipt, said “tack” (thank you in Swedish) and high-tailed it out of there, but not before breathing a huge sigh of relief.
We had time for coffee and Danish and then came back to our hotel room to pick up Flat Mary Ann and Flat John, who hadn’t felt like running back to Sweden with us. We walked to the meeting spot for our Castle Tour, which consisted of Kronborg Castle, Fredensborg Palace, and Frederiksborg Castle. We traveled into the Danish countryside and saw homes with thatched roofs
and many other picturesque sights.
Note the Christmas tree farm below. Many of these trees will be shipped to Germany and sold there.
Kronborg Castle is most famous as the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
After a buffet lunch of traditional Danish specialties, we stopped at the Fredensborg Palace where the queen spends the spring and fall. The palace itself and most of the grounds are not open to the public, but we did get to see a most impressive guard pacing out front.
Our favorite stop was the last one, Frederiksborg Castle. It has been restored inside and out and has become The Museum of National History.
The elaborate décor had us oohing and aahing and the ornate ceilings gave us cricks in our necks from trying to take it all in. The castle chapel is now a regular Lutheran parish church. Unbelievable!
After getting back on the bus for the ride back to Copenhagen, the Flat Ones had a water break and discussed all they’d seen.
When we got back to the hotel, we called the Airport Hilton and talked to Sandy. She, Beth and Ray arrived yesterday and we’ll all be meeting up to go on a walking tour with Hans this morning. Can’t wait to see them!
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