Just an ordinary scene in Starbucks, somewhere in London's docklands. But wait - what's that just outside the window?
Yes, the Vikings have arrived at St. Katharine's Dock, London.
St. Katharine's Dock is just a few steps from the Tower of London. It's good for a drink or a wander around, specially if you like visiting a yacht broker or simply ogling unusual and/or expensive boats.
But Denmark, one of the homes of the Vikings, has chosen St Katharine's Dock for its open-air, "open house" event during the Olympics. I have fond memories of Denmark, not only as an adult but also as a child. I remember swimming in the sea (full of jellyfish - intriguing to a kid) visiting Hans Andersen's papercut-festooned birthplace in Odense, and singing around a bonfire at midsummer on the beach, when I believe we burned a witch. (though not a real witch)
One of the most famous Danish products is Lego, and the Lego pavilion at the event had a super model of the Olympic park AND a professional Lego-maker in attendance. Needless to say a queue of little boys were wanting to know how to get a job like that.
Here's the Lego Olympic Stadium.
I liked the little pink Danish bacon pigs around the place. Here's one supervising the popular table soccer (made by a Danish firm).
And there were lots of Vikings in furs and leather boots. Not sure what's going on in the photo below, but the guy on the left seemed to be mixing up a potion to use on the younger one. Hmmm...
And a replica Viking boat, Alas, it didn't set sail.
It sure looked like hard work building a boat, slaving away in the hot sun chipping at oak logs.. I can't help thinking that the Vikings might have preferred to do a bit of pillaging and use the money to buy one of the boats in the background of this picture.
There were lots of other things - a big screen showing Olympics (commentary in Danish- at first I thought my ears were playing up because I couldn't understand a word). Beer and free hot dogs,
And sophisticated Danish cuisine in a gorgeous kitchen, Viking games, and a house full of well designed Danish furniture....
Yes, I think I might be feeling a trip to Denmark coming on.
Nice composition!
ReplyDeleteI hope you really enjoy seeing people/culture/foods all over the world.
Have a wonderful time!
Starbucks? In Denmark? OH say it isn't so ;o) Of all the coffee franchise over here, this is my least favorite.
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures of the boats. Growing up, we spent many a week-ends traveling the USA by waterways.
This looks such FUN! - Everybody enjoying themselves, in a Danish way, because they can.
ReplyDeleteOkay this is such a fun post! It was easy to picture you as that little girl when you said "I want to go!" It's just cool when we have place to discover or adventure new or old. What delightful memories of fun times in Denmark, especially the Hans and Legos! Still my favorite thing, and yes I spend more money on Legos then dishes! :) Seriously, even my 20 something daughter and her now 3 year old daughter are huge Lego fans too! I just knew what you were going to post, I have "liked" a British site on Facebook and they posted a photo of it, as well as other really cool things going on during this exciting time in London!
ReplyDeleteThat is very impressive work going on with the log - a real craftsman. You make me want to have a little trip to London while the Olympics are on. But then again, maybe not...
ReplyDeleteWell, i hope you get to go, and enjoy it for me, and bring back pictures. It's like a mini vacation when i read about where you've been and what you've seen.
ReplyDeleteWho doesn't enjoy Legos. It is a favorite among the girls and boys during free play in my classroom. I've been known to join in on the fun as well. I spent a few days in Copenhagen last December. I wasn't the perfect time of the year, but so enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteOn my way to Dublin in a few weeks. I have been researching online. Would love any and all suggestions. Have a great day!
Bonnie
bonniecarrillo@att.net
When I was younger, we spent several holidays on the Danish island of Bornholm, where one of my aunt lives, and we always loved it there. But I have never been to mainland Denmark.
ReplyDeleteHmmm wouldn't mind using some potion or other on that topless guy myself ;-)
That made me laugh, Meike!
DeleteI have a friend who is a massive lego fan and she'd love the Olympic Stadium. And my 17 year old would love that bare chested man! Ha!
ReplyDeleteVisiting these national 'houses' is a great background to the games...I have to admit preferring the danish offering to that of Quatar, though. No white carpets, but lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteYears ago my husband visited Legoland and brought back unusual Lego gifts for the children that we'd never seen in UK. That scored him a few brownie points.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun... Even if you don't have tickets for an event look at all the fun you can have around and near the stadium.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the photo tour
cheers, parsnip
That certainly looked like a fun day out. I'm relieved to hear that you didn't burn an actual witch at that bonfire in your childhood. Also glad that they skipped reenacting a Viking funeral at the London dock, at least on the day that you were there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this....I enjoyed being there with you.
ReplyDeleteLegos and kids. A friendship that will never end.
ReplyDeleteLove the boat!
ReplyDeleteLove the visit to the Docklands -- thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in Denmark all the locals talked about was food. I saw a traffic accident and the two parties got out of their cars and started talking about food. I asked a local about this and they said it was true. That many Danes think of their flag as a tablecloth with a knife and fork crossed on it.
ReplyDeleteIf you can't go to Denmark, Denmark will come to you!I too have great memories from that country, and I would have liked to see all what you're showing!
ReplyDeleteCould I have the viking man with his shirt off? If I can't have him, could I borrow him for a while?
ReplyDeleteI would just love to go to Denmark one day! And Norway and Sweden. And Finland. If I had t choose, I'd go to Norway first. I'm rambling... This looks like a lot of fun! I really need to get out more and stop being stuck at home with this cold!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a shame we missed this when in London last week - my son is a huge Lego fan. We managed to stumble across the Swiss 'house' but that's all.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing what looked to be a really fun day!
ReplyDeleteThat is the best sort of holiday ever, when you get to sleep in your own bed!
ReplyDeleteThe carvings on the boats is so interesting. What great things there are to see surrounding the Olympics. Got to Denmark, talk lots of pictures.
ReplyDeleteDarla
Denmark is one of those quiet, unassuming, little countries that are just so likeable! I got married to my first husband in Copenhagen, so I have some fond memories.
ReplyDeleteLegoland opened a park here in Florida last October. I have yet to go, even though it's less than 20 miles from my house. It's on my list...
Wow, Jenny, methinks you lead a charmed life! Fun day and great post. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that Starbucks was international!
ReplyDeleteI love Denmark and have such fond memories of holidays there. One of my favourite memories is the smell of the bakeries - wonderful :-) x
ReplyDeleteYes, Starbucks is international, Sprinkles and Bonnie. Personally I am not a fan but everyone else wanted to go there. It's in a nice little building with a view over the water anyhow but I couldn't cope with eating or drinking anything, their cappuccino makes me want to gag.
ReplyDeleteBetina, if I lived in Florida I would take advantage of the residents prices for visiting Disney, if they still have them, although I guess Legoland would make a change.
Jane, we were so fed up that we had also missed the main lego day. They were focusing mainly on Vikings. The boys are not nearly such a fan of Vikings as they are of Lego!
Sonya Ann, there have been a few offers for the guy, so afraid you'll have to take your turn...
Stephen, one thing I have noticed about Denmark is that they love to have little flags on their dining tables. Weird. Perhaps you have hit upon the symbolic reason for this:)
Meike, I'd really like to go to Bornholm, have heard a lot about it from Danish friends too.
Thank you for everyone for the lovely comments.
Beautiful post, I love the Vikings. Olympic great weekend.
ReplyDeleteHurrah for Lego! Love the little stadium...have you seen the tiny Lego athletes they've made for the Olympics? Rather sweet. It is interesting to see where all the different countries have set up their 'houses'. Maybe a trip out to St Katharine's Docks is in order...
ReplyDeleteI'm just waiting to see the lego olympics on you tube. Maybe a bit of viking pillaging thrown in for good measure.
ReplyDeleteLovely post.
we were in Denmark so long ago....I would love to go back...the things we would choose to visit now, like Legoland were not even on our radar then....fun pictures!! again.
ReplyDeleteYou obviously had fun at the Denmark House. No I didn't get to them all. I agree the Brazilian one was a little disappointing although their art exhibition was wonderful. The Belgium house at Temple is really good, lots of bikes for the boys to go on a virtual trip.
ReplyDeleteHow cool! Denmark experience without needing to go to Denmark! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! We are HUGE Lego fans at this house, did you see...oh wait, I might have to tell you about that in a post on my blog! (I'm SUCH a tease.)
ReplyDeleteLoved your last post about wishing you had been a volunteer...never mind, London did such a good job and you were there for them, lucky you!
You make Denmark sound lovely, and I feel envious. I've been to every other European and Scandinavian country, but soehow missed out on Denmark. I've always been entranced by the idea of the Little Mermaid sitting on the edge of Cobenhaven's harbour, gazing wistfully out to sea.
ReplyDeleteAnd not a horned helmet in sight! Apparently it's a myth that the Vikings wore such headgear. A myth is as good as a mile, especially in the Olympics. Not really sure what I mean by that, but I thought it sounded good.
ReplyDeleteI do like the idea of these national "open areas" that seem to have sprung up around London during the Games. I don't think I have heard of them at previous Olympics (perhaps they existed but weren't reported on) but they give the event the feel of a kind of informal "Great Exhibition"
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of Starbucks either because I like individuality and whether you are in Toronto, California, London or Inverness they are unmistakable and like many of their ilk they transport you from the country you are in into anonymity. However they do have their good points. One of those being that the one in Napier in New Zealand is open until 10pm whereas almost every other coffee shop closes in the mid to late afternoon.
ReplyDeleteI can't comment on Denmark because I've never been there but it's good to see them participating in the London scene.
We visited Legoland in Denmark on some family holiday when I was young and my brother still "little"... He used to play a lot with lego as a kid. The Lego Olympic Stadium looks impressive!
ReplyDeleteHello Jenny
ReplyDeleteYou must go to Copenhagen, especially in the winter - it's the most magical place and one of my favourite European cities (against stiff competition).
Thanks for your recent email - I will reply asap. Am a bit swamped with work at the moment.
Best
Guy
That was a great Olympic tour of Denmark....great place and contributions. I could enjoy a trip there, too.
ReplyDeleteMy dear friend Leif is from Denmark. He has only recently made me aware of some of his youth and family members all thanks to social media. I love what you are pointing out:)
ReplyDelete