All posts by Sandra Graham

I am an artist and blogger living in Sydney, Australia. I am interested in Australian landscapes and lost suburbia, capturing them in photographs, paintings, prints and mixed media. @s_graham_art

Eat For Scandi! – Part 1

In the past, my experience of Scandinavian food consisted of the offerings of Ikea and eating Danish pastries, so finding out the reality of all was fascinating. What was obvious was that no matter the country, Scandinavians loved their fish. They would eat it three times a day! On offer at our Copenhagen hotel breakfast buffet, along with dark rye breads, was cold meats, boiled eggs, cheese, and pickled herring! Oh, and those Danishes too.

At lunchtime, we also had fish and bread, this time as an open sandwich. Below, I tried out the smoked eel with scrambled egg, while Hubby tries a version of a crab salad. The bread came with two different spreads – the ubiquitous Lurpak butter, and lard with bacon bits. The latter was surprisingly tasty.

A day in Copenhagen

At dinner time, there was also plenty of fish, prepared and accompanied simply. Hubby tried the pan-fried plaice.

A day in Copenhagen

I tried the pan-fried salmon – also very tasty. Much of the salmon eaten in the region came from farms in Norway, where the water is cold and clean.

A day in Copenhagen

I’ll be reporting back on Scandi food as I post my way through them.

Copenhagen – Part 4

Copenhagen reminded me a lot of Amsterdam because of its pragmatic architecture and its canals – a remnant from its days as a busy port and trading post.

A day in Copenhagen

In the city centre there were many canals to see, although the boats and ‘warehouses’ are now pleasure crafts and converted apartments.

A day in Copenhagen

And on the northern edge of the city centre is Copenhagen’s most underwhelming tourist attraction.

A day in Copenhagen

The Little Mermaid was certainly little and didn’t do much for me. Still, it didn’t stop others from mauling her.

A day in Copenhagen

Copenhagen – Part 3

Copenhagen has its share of grandness too. They are though quite pragmatic about the use of their palaces. One is currently being used to house parliament.

A day in Copenhagen

While this set of four (by British standards) smallish palaces house the Danish Royal Family. Princess Mary was nowhere to be seen that day, by the way, but it certainly is a long way from the Slip Inn.

A day in Copenhagen

It was an altogether more casual set up than at Buckingham Palace. No Secret Service-like security guards, just the ceremonial guards. And the no heaving crowds either, just small groups of casual tourists. Just the way I like a tourist attraction to be.

A day in Copenhagen

Copenhagen – Part 2

Copenhagen was rather depressing in the middle of a rainstorm…

A day in Copenhagen

But a different creature altogether when the sun was out.

A day in Copenhagen

The city centre was quite a grand place, with a wealth of 18th Century buildings.

A day in Copenhagen

It was the period when the English and the Dutch were at war, hence all the Baltic Sea trading that used to go through Amsterdam and the English east coast all came to Copenhagen. Using the funds, the Danes built a city to equal old Amsterdam.

A day in Copenhagen

Copenhagen – Part 1

We were excited to be in Copenhagen, home of our Princess Mary, and of our favourite Danish series, The Killing. Our first impression is of a cosmopolitan, and very Northern European city. Like in neighbouring Germany and Netherlands, there was a large volume of bikes on the streets. I was quite impressed with the number of bikes on display at Copenhagen’s central railway station.

A day in Copenhagen

And at one of the city centre bus stations. I’ve never seen a double-storey bike-park before.

Can you imagine Sydneysiders riding bikes to Central to catch a train? They’d either be run over before they arrived, or the ‘Grey Ghosts’ would fine them on the spot for parking.

A day in Copenhagen

Elsewhere in the city centre, there was lots of bike riding on cobble-stoned streets.

A day in Copenhagen

And lots of bike parking in the pretty parks.

A day in Copenhagen

Apparently even the Danish Royal Family use their bikes to get around. Can you imagine the British Royal Family doing that? Or indeed, would Mr Abbot?

Over the Sea… By Rail

Next we explore the city of Copenhagen, capital of Denmark. Having Eurail passes, we chose to go by rail, and it was certainly an experience. When we reached the North Sea, the train was ‘picked up’ by a giant ferry.

Travelling to Germany from Denmark

We went on a 45 minute ride across the sound.

Travelling to Germany from Denmark

Until the train ‘alighted’ on Danish soil, and meandered over the Danish countryside to Copenhagen.

Travelling to Germany from Denmark

Only in Europe, I think.

Hannover – Part 2

Our main reason for visiting Hannover though was to visit the grave of Hubby’s grandfather. In WWII his grandfather was an Englishman in a parachute regiment, meaning he was one of those soldiers who parachuted down behind enemy lines and fought there. He was killed in northern Germany a mere month before the end of the war, leaving behind a young wife and two small children. He was buried in this Allied War Cemetery, on the outskirts of Hannover.

Hannover War Cemetery

Hannover War Cemetery

The cemetery was easy to get to, and immaculately kept. The soldiers buried there came from all over the UK, different parts of the Commonwealth, as well as from all over Europe. All those young lives lost.

Hannover War Cemetery

Hannover War Cemetery

We found Grandfather’s grave quite easily. It was an emotional pilgrimage for Hubby, who had never visited before. We also found many other men who had died with him, from around the same period. There must have been carnage on both sides.

Hannover War Cemetery

We were glad that the Germans have kept the cemetery is such good order, because it was a very special place. May they rest in peace.

Hannover War Cemetery

Hannover – Part 1

Next, we travelled to the northern German city of Hannover. Like Dresden, it was bombed quite heavily during WWII, so it was also a mix of old…

Aldstadt

And of new(ish)…

Around Hannover

They rebuilt much of the new centre as a series of pedestrian malls. And as with all German cities, the transport was fantastic. We came in by train to the main station.

Around Hannover

But got around mainly by tram, which went in all directions.

Around Hannover

The city also had a comprehensive subway network that linked the city to surrounding towns. And of course, a great cycling path network. It made the public transport offerings in Sydney look very meagre indeed.

Eat For Germany! – Part 2

I can say that Germans really loved their schnitzel. It was on our plate most days, with different accompaniments. At the local deli, we had it With chips and cabbage salad.

Freiberg Food

At the Czech-themed pub, we had it With white asparagus (the favourite seasonal spring vegetable in Germany) and hollandaise sauce.

Freiberg Food

The other favourite is the sausage, or the bratwurst. The sausages are usually pork-based, and packed with flavour. It also came with different accompaniments. At an Irish-themed pub we had bratwurst with fried potatoes and onions.

Freiberg Food

And with sauerkraut and mash.

Freiberg Food

The portion sizes as you can see were generous, and we always came away very full. The cooking was generally quite homely in Saxony. I guess it reflected on the taste of the locals. No high-end, modern, experimental cooking here, just firm favourites.