It was Sunday in Malmö when we decided to cut short our stay in Sweden; the rain which had been persistently tracking us since we entered Norway had finally got so heavy Jon and I decided we’d rather drive another couple of hours than attempt to put up a tent in the torrential rain.
We did stumble across a festival in Malmö though, so stopped off for a classy beer and a wild boar wrap.
It was definitely weird driving without Vard. And we managed to get our only flat of the whole journey the day he left; the tire finally wore completely through on a motorway in Sweden!
We knew we had an apartment we could stay in courtesy of Lisa, my Danish friend who was to be married the following Saturday. For those unaware it is Richard and Lisa who are the sole reason I committed to the return leg of this trip (my original plan was to continue overground from Mongolia); while I could have brought myself to miss one of my best friends weddings two of my best friends, marrying each other, was more than my conscience could handle!
We arrived in Odense (pronounced Unse) around 10pm and were met by Lisa and Hannah; another friend from home acting as the English maid of honour. After so long with just Jon, Vard and an assortment of random new people as company it seemed very strange to see my old friends again. We quickly fell back into old ways though, and gossiped about what had been going on at home, as well as sharing some of the stories from the trip.
Getting bubble tea with Hannah in Odense city center
The next day a new consignment arrived, Rich along with three more friends. Jon and I had discussed before that we’d have to try and get out of the habit of using the in-jokes which had developed over the course of the trip, many of which make little sense to us, let alone others! Somehow though, within a few hours, everyone was walking around saying “minimum”, “maximum” and “no problem” in an almost passable Georgian accent; apparently we say that more than we’d realised!
The week preceding the wedding was spent enjoying Odense, and the surrounding area. It happened to be the Hans Christian Anderson festival, which meant that the whole city was alive with different events. Jon, after announcing he’d leave the next day pretty much every night, finally left on Friday; a single unwise man left to guide an ever more unhealthy sounding Harrison home.
The gang celebrating Rich’s birthday with Jaeger Bombs!
A day out to the seaside. It was pretty chilly, but if that didn’t stop me in the Arctic, it definitely wasn’t going to here.
Hannah attempting to make spaghetti. This was supposed to be for five people.
Egeskov Castle, near Odense. It also had a hedge maze, treetop walkways and a tug-of-war
Tortoises staying cool in Odense Zoo
Rich couldn’t resist jumping on top of Harrison to scout the area.
Saturday was the big day. Initially we met at the edge of a large, wooded park, before Rich led us along a path following the river bank. The rain just held off long enough to allow all 50 or so guests to be ushered aboard a (fortuitously covered!) boat; it was slowly cruising down the river towards Odense centre that two of my best friends became man and wife. The ceremony set the tone perfectly for the entire day: fun and informal yet still managing to be meaningful. Both bride and groom had written their own vows; Lisa promising not to “bitch and moan too much when you watch formula one” was a personal favourite.
The evening reception continued well into the night, with friends and family making the most of the Danish customs: all the men kissing the bride when the groom leaves the room and vice versa; the bride and groom having to kiss on their chairs when a wine glasses are tapped with forks and underneath the table when feet are stamped; the grooms socks and tie being cut off during the first dance… Unfortunately I was enjoying another Danish custom (the free bar!) far too much to remember to take many photos of the night…
On Monday the remaining British guests returned to Copenhagen for a couple of days. Here we purchased a “Copenhagen card” allowing us to visit all attractions in the city, as well as use the public transport for free. We initially went on a boat trip, before climbing Our Saviours Church and visiting the Tivoli Gardens, the second oldest amusement park in the world. Afterwards we met with Jon who’d made his way independently to Copenhagen and went for a meal before bidding him farewell, yet again (I just can’t get rid of that guy…)
The next day we woke early, determined to make the most of our pass. We visited the Copenhagen Den Blå Planet (Blue Planet) and the Carlsburg factory/museum before relaxing for a few hours in the botanical gardens.
One of the best aquariums in Europe. It has sharks, penguins, sun fish, even puffins!
Unlike back home, Carlsberg is actually really good beer in Denmark
As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, my perception, and lasting memories, of a place are dominated by the people I met. Not only were my own friends there, but because of the wedding I got to meet friends and family of Lisa’s I’d either never met before, or only met briefly; each and every one was a real joy to meet. This alone is enough to put Denmark as one of my favourite countries I’ve visited. But there was more to Denmark than just the people; for me it felt like England will be in maybe 10 years time. The attitudes to recycling, gender equality, renewable energy, public transport… So many things made me feel embarrassed by just how far behind the UK is in so, so many respects. The bottle returning system we’d first met in Finland was used extensively, an information board in the Carlsburg factory dated this system back to 1904; well over 100 years ago yet the UK hasn’t picked up on it yet!
Of course, the UK has its merits; I suspect many Danish visiting the UK are similarly embarrassed by their attitudes to smoking for example. Even so, for me Denmark is a country I’d happily live; it has a rich history to rival the UK, the people have a sense of humour compatible with ours, it’s forward thinking and, importantly, there is a sense of calm and “laidbackness” sorely missing from home.
So, in conclusion, a wonderful week, a wonderful wedding, a wonderful country… And my whole hearted congratulations to Rich and Lisa; I hope your lives together will be as much fun as your wedding day!
Three Unwise Men 