Vedbæk Visit -- Part 3: Events

It's amazing how much we fit into those days in and around Vedbæk.  Sten's mother and brother met us at the airport and we drove to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. Our evening started with a wonderful multi-course dinner followed by a concert by the Russian pianist Grigory Sokolov playing Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin.  Though the composers are well-known, the repertoire was not familiar to any of us; however, the pieces were beautiful and were masterfully and sensitively performed.

My mother-in-law just delighted in seeing her two sons together.

The original impetus for the trip was to celebrate some family birthdays.  Our oldest son and Sten's brother share the same birth date, and a few days earlier my sister-in-law has her birthday. Everyone helped with the meal preparations. Our nephews set the table. The table cloth is one which was  hand-embroidered by the older of these two for his parents' anniversary. Isn't it beautiful! The color-selections used makes the flowers very life-like.

Our nieces were in charge of making the salad and putting the dessert together.  My sister-in-law planned and prepared (with a little help from the rest of us) the remainder of the delicious meal --  steamed artichokes with a creamy dipping sauce, roasted chestnuts, lamb, roasted root vegetables -- potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and Jerusalem artichokes, a vegetarian entree, and salad. The layered almond cake was filled with custard, whipping cream, raspberries, and blueberries. Everything was delicious and eaten slowly with lots of joyful celebration and great conversation in a mix of Danish, Norwegian, and English. Hot drinks and chocolates from both Norway and Denmark topped everything off.

The day we were to leave in the afternoon, Sten and I took a long walk to a neighboring town where Sten's brother and mother met us for an afternoon tea at a favorite historic restaurant next to a lake and in an interesting small village. It was a comfortable Fall day, so in good Nordic style, we sat outside with blankets over us.

We each enjoyed a cup of hot cocoa and what in Denmark is called "apple cake."  It's very popular and delicious, but not what we normally think of as "cake."  Rather, it's layers of sweetened crumbs (like you might use in a crust of a cheese cake), apple sauce, and whipped cream.  Its Danish name is   tilsløret bondepige which translates "veiled peasant girl." Here's the view from where we sat.

After leaving the restaurant, we drove to a neighboring town where a gallery was hosting an exhibit of one of my favorite painters, Carl Larsson.  In all fairness, I think the exhibit ought to include the names of both Carl and Karin Larsson since much of her weaving and design was featured as well as Carl's wondering paintings.  The title of the exhibit, "Det gode liv," translates as "The Good Life" and features Carl's paintings and decor from their family home in Sundborn in the Swedish province of Dalarna. I didn't take a lot of photos but thoroughly enjoyed it.

I'm not sure if this is Carl's actual bed, or if it's a replica, but I think it's very cozy. Karin designed and made the curtains for the bed.  She also designed and made the table runner and designed the clever plant stand.  I wouldn't mind to have a similar one filled with plants framing one of my windows at home. 

Tusen takk, Tormod og Jette, for et hyggelig besøk.  

Thank you, Tormod and Jette, for a wonderful visit.

Vedbæk Visit -- Part 2: The Joy of Walks

Walks around Vedbæk are fun because there are endless paths to explore.  We try to get in at least one long walk every day we're there, rain or shine.  Let me take you along and show you some of what we saw along the way. I just had to photograph the fleeting beauty of these leaves.  I'm guessing by now, they're gone for this year.

Usually the area in front of the train station looks like this, but every so often it's the site of a local flea market and looks like the following photo.  We had fun looking at what was up for sale -- much the same as flea markets at home, though with a Danish twist.  Tempting price, so I had to remind myself that we pay for overweight in luggage when we fly home, which quickly adds up.

Turning left at the train station, we quickly come to one of the wonderful walking paths.  Many are paved and go through beautiful wooded areas or along agricultural lands.

One walking path leads by the local church yard cemetery.  I'm not sure how typical this is of Denmark, but here the plots are divided by hedges.  It appears that a lot of individuality is permitted in how the little "gardens" are developed.  Some are very simple with a grave marker; others are more  cultivated and planted with trees and shrubs.

Aren't they beautiful? The chapel is next to the cemetery as are watering cans for keeping up the gardens.  We found the place very peaceful, and we liked the idea of a small private garden as a burial plot.

Around the corner from the church and cemetery is this burial mound.  It's obviously a crypt for some rather important people, but there aren't any signs or markings to identify it.  Interesting what one sees when exploring on foot, isn't it?

The entrance and the view inside.

I'd say it's a pretty ostentatious burial to be unmarked, wouldn't you?  

Vedbæk Visit -- Part 1: The town

Sten and I visited the community of Vedbæk, just north of Copenhagen recently.  We were able to spend time with family, celebrate some birthdays, eat delicious food, take some long walks, and enjoy the delights of Denmark. Let me share some photos of this charming area. Vedbæk is right along the coast of the North Sea.

Here's Sten with Lady, our canine niece, walking along the coastal road.

The marina is filled with boats of many varieties.

This time of year, many are being removed for the winter.  Just left of the green mast in the center of this photo, you'll see a boat hoisted by a crane on its way to dry docking.

The houses are charming -- some with thatched roofs, others with tile. Most homes have a 

walled, fenced, or hedged yard that gives privacy from the street.

I particularly like the natural stick/twig fences.  They look hand made, 

but I'm not sure they are as they're just too perfect.

Maybe this one is hand made. Notice the uneven top edge.  Sorry for the blur.

The main street has a wonderful bakery,  a grocer with fresh produce visible from the street, 

and the train station. I like how there are hooks outside of shops for you to leave your dog on its leash while you shop for the day's groceries.

As everywhere in Denmark, bicycles are frequently used for transportation.  The trains have space for you to bring your bike along with you, and stairs accommodate your bike on the incline.

Even the mail carrier uses a bike for transportation.  Her vehicle has motor assist, though she told us she'd prefer to only pedal for the exercise.  She has a pocketful of dog treats to befriend any canines she meets along her way.  Lady was charmed by her, as you can imagine.