Sunday Stroll I

I usually end up going on some sort of walk on a Sunday, seeing as it's the day of the week that stays empty of plans for longest, but today I decided to make a conscious decision to try and go for a walk every Sunday. With summer apparently approaching, I am hopeful that more days will be filled with some sunshine and light breezes, good conditions for a stroll. This morning started out well so Mum and I went to Mulgrave Woods, a small forest next to Sandsend village.  

Mother and I had some great conversations about how the woods are managed, asking ourselves things like 'how do they remember where they've left each tractor' seeing as they're literally dotted around in the trees, seemingly randomly. Then the heavens opened, so my camera went away. Even though the rain turned the scenery more grey, it brought out the scents of everything; the wild onions and wild garlic, and the piles of wood dotted around. It was refreshing and very pleasant to feel like we were in the middle of nowhere when in reality we were only a few miles from home. 

The wonders of the countryside. 

Wandering

Burano - Split - Prague / Whitby / London / Beverley / Venice / Monterosso al Mare / Parma / Alberobello / Copenhagen / Zadar / Budapest / Krakow / Vienna / Prague

Small streets are one of my favourite things to wander around and to photograph, and I think are often overlooked by people when visiting places or even walking around familiar towns and cities. In recent years, I have found several photo and travel blogs that have inspired me to step away from the beaten track and see what else is on offer...and I've found that it doesn't have to be a million miles off the tourist trail, often a hundred metres or so and you're in what feels like a different place. These quiet, often narrow back and side streets are where you might be able to find some lovely local people, hanging out in front of their houses or shops, chatting to neighbours. It's where you might be able to smell what is being cooked for dinner, a truly authentic dish. Where you are more likely to hear snippets of the native language rather than your own. And also where there might be more people-free photo opportunities!

However, it's not always essential to get away from the crowds. Sometimes it's just as nice to be amongst the masses, among the excitement, and let's face it, typical tourist and travel routes aren't frequented by thousands for no reason!

København

Four days in the beautiful little Danish capital.

I stayed in the Islands Brygge area with one of my best friends from university, Jenny. Half Danish and having lived there for five months already, she made the perfect guide.

Copnehagen struck me as a very homely city. I don't know if it was because I was with Jenny but it didn't feel like a hugely foreign country. I felt quite comfortable straight away, and I found it so relaxing to be somewhere that felt safe, and being able to let myself become absorbed in conversation and really enjoy my surroundings. 

Jenny and I took similar courses at university, and both studied in the same city in Italy for a year, so we've shared a lot as far as new experiences go, both good and bad. To be able to see her and reminisce about all those experiences, how they've affected our perspective, and really talk about how we feel about our lives now and the directions we're going in was quite therapeutic. I am lucky enough to have lots of people around me to talk things through with, loving and supporting family and friends, but there's nothing quite like that kind of chat with someone who's 'been there and done that' at the same time, as it were. I think we both really needed that.

We occupied ourselves with lots of walking, thanks to the (mostly) lovely weather, seeing sights such as the Little Mermaid, took advantage of the abundance of delicious danish pastries, and visited some of the most notable buildings and monuments in the city. Here is a small selection...

Views from the outside steps of the Church of Our Saviour. Not for the faint hearted or vertigo sufferers, the steps start off in the bell tower and continue on the outside, winding around the spire. 

Part of the International Sand Sculpture Festival, at Havnegade. 

Den lille havfrue - The Little Mermaid, the iconic statue of Hans Christian Anderson's fairytale.

A traditional Danish kanelsnegle - cinnamon bun. So incredibly tasty!

Sun filling an exhibition hall in the National Gallery.

An evening stroll through Rosenborg Palace Garden, in glorious sunshine.

Nyhavn, possibly one of the most photographed and recognised areas of Copenhagen. It certainly doesn't disspoint; there are dozens of cafes and restaurants from which to sit and watch the world go by, or ice cream and waffle shops from which to buy some sweet treats and sit on the harbourside, as I did.

Palace and church towers in the sunset, at about 10pm. I was so pleased at how long it stayed light, and warm. Made for a very pleasant walk home. 

Breakfast on Islands Brygge on my last day. A morning dip in a cold harbour followed by lazing in the sunshine was the perfect end to my trip!