Images of majestic alps with serrated tops decorated with an icing of snow inspired a road trip once we landed back in our winter port of Hoorn. So, we rented a car and headed south Saturday night after our friend Deborah’s book launch in Amsterdam.
“Do you know the rest of the alphabet too?”
That caption comes from a book just hitting stores now. Yes, it’s in Dutch and yes, there’s no English translation… yet. But, what we find so wonderful about this book is knowing one of the faces on the cover: Deborah Freriks!
From the previous post you now know we flew to San Miguel to meet up with friends from my hometown Virginia Beach. The five of us stayed in a little B&B owned by Antonio and Lee, the latter a former classmate of Carter. For three of the group–Carter, Ellen and Bobbi–this was a return visit as many who stay at this inn return to soak up the ambiance of its setting. And, it’s easy to see why when you find yourself enjoying the views of historical San Miguel with one’s morning coffee and evening cocktails.
Which is what I muttered to myself as I walked past Pedro OHara’s in Brunswick. Max and I had just returned from a week with friends in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico. When there we shared several historical tours with some of our friends, one being a trip to the Cañada de la Virgen archaelogical site 16 miles west of the city.
I just wanted to mention a few wonderful events in our Dutch life. This post will be brief (don’t worry, not an overload of history or art lessons) but some touchstones that make our life pretty wonderful..
….the first being a surprise welcome package we found nestled in our cockpit upon our return from the States. Left by our Dutch family that morning it certainly brightened our arrival to a cold boat:
During our six-day visit to this arctic winter wonderland we signed up for a variety of experiences, most being pretty unique to us, and all well worth doing.
Okay, we’re not going home for the holidays. No one is heading over here. So, what to do?
Why, go north, of course! Which is how we ended up in the Svalbard Archipelago on Spitsbergen, in a town 814 miles from the North Pole.
We’d heard some European cities celebrate the Christmas season with flair, including warm wine and hearty hot dogs. Since sipping glühwein and noshing on street treats while perusing a variety of wares augments the holiday spirit, we decided to check two out on our way to Hoorn. Of course, we can’t just go to a market when a huge stone presence, i.e., cathedral, demands your attention first. Almost like having to eat your peas before you can have cake. So, off we drove.
After our Sunday morning in Odense walking in Hans Christian Andersen’s footsteps we drove off the Island of Funen and back onto the mainland, or Jutland. Our next destination promised immersion into Denmark’s first official rulers in Jelling. This town gained prominence in the 10th century during the Vikings’ hey day. Here, Kings Gorm of Old (ruled 936?-958/9) and his son, Harald Bluetooth (ruled 958/9-985/6/7) established Denmark’s monarchy. The current monarch, Queen Margrete II, can trace her lineage back to Gorm, which is why some people consider this country’s monarchy the oldest in Europe.
Packed up and ready to go, we headed north from Copenhagen to continue exploring Funen Island, our first stop being Frederiksborg Slot, the summer castle Frederik II (1534-1588) bought as a manor. A favorite of the king, it was also the birthplace of his son, Christian IV (1577-1648) who heavily renovated the place. Unusual in not being on a coast or river, Frederiksborg was constructed for the specific pleasure of the king, not for defense. And, it was definitely a beautiful ‘home’.