Copenhagen

Copenhagen was very nice - I didn't get much time there, but there seems to be lots to see, the people all seem to speak english and everyone is very friendly.

In order to get my luggage back from the previous nights hotel, I had to cross town after the conference. Now as with most cities, the usual options exist - bus, metro taxi - but in Copenhagen you also have the option of using one of the public bikes. They are dotted around at various points throughout the city, and you basically put a 20 Krona piece in them and get it back when you chain the bike up again - very much like a supermarket shopping trolley:



One strange thing about Copenhagen is the number of Scottish theme bars. Irish theme bars have been well established for sometime. There's one in every major city i the world. But Scottish bar's while similar haven't had the same success. I spot four or five Scottish bar's in my touring around for the 36 hours or so that I was there.

I opt not to go into them - cos I have been in Scotland at the weekend, but maybe if there was a bar in Amsterdam like that, which served Haggis and a good pint of shitty tennants, I'd be there every now and then for a taste of home.

I'm afraid that's the only bloggable Copenhagen, as I had to rush off back to Amsterdam in order to make it to Bulgaria, but I'll look forward to any future trips to Denmark.

Glasgow to Copenhagen

So my short trip home is nearly at an end. I have my last bowl of Porridge before we leave the house and head up to glasgow so that Marilyn can see Scotland's second capital city - Glasgow.



My mother's from Glasgow, and it's the closest big city to Ayrshire, so that coupled with me living there for 5 years makes it feel very homely. I was ready to leave Glasgow when I left it for Amsterdam, but I always like returning for the atmosphere, the people and the general bustle which makes the city so alive.



We drop Marilyn off for Glaswegain adventures of her own, and then I head off to do a little last minute Scottish shopping before meeting Nina for Sushi for lunch. Nina works right in the centre of Glasgow, so I meet her with some of her work colleagues in the Sushi bar which has become the venue for her Art work. I've yet to see anything, but I'm promised there's a blog coming and a launch night.



Nina, even though she is a 24 hour party person, is quieter than usual, the weekend has been the usual blitzkrieg of alcohol, trips to casualty, jet Skiing and more alcohol. She's still brighter and bubblier than the average person though. I have to rush away eventually, as I have to head off to the airport. I'm pretty shattered myself, but it feels good to say "sorry guys, I've got a flight to Copenhagen to catch."

I rush off and meet my dad, who runs me out to the airport, via a quick cheerio to my hungover brother(He's a student).



I arrive in Copenhagen airport after a trip on a very small plane. The it's a quick taxi to NyHavn where my hotel is. I'm absolutely knackered. The weekend of sleeping in tents and climbing mountains has taken it out of me. I'm ready to climb into bed and get a good nights sleep.

On arriving at the hotel, I discover that they have no knowledge of my booking. It's now about 10pm , and the little cheery girl behind the counter can tell by the look on my face that I'm shattered. Copenhagen is terrible for finding hotels, and if you do find one, it's pretty expensive. She suggests that she could give me one of the staff rooms, which is only a bed, no telly and a shared bathroom - this sounds fine, until she realises this is taken. The only option left is for her to put a mattress on the floor of their storeroom.

I agree and pay what she asks for. She asks if I'm a sailor. Even in my tired state I laugh. She explain to me that since the Hotel is in the harbour they offer 10 % discount to sailors. I tell her that if I'd been a little quicker, I could have told her mine was the red one outside. She seems a little amused that someone would be this dishonest. So my tip for any tourists in Copenhagen is to take a small children's dingy with you on your travels - it could save you money.

I'm dreading as she takes me down in the lift. I have visions of some dusty little room full of antiquated hotel paraphenalia. Luckily it turns out to be not that bad. It's basically a room with a pool table and a mattress on the floor. I always dreamt of having my won pool table as a child, so I'm pretty chuffed to have landed on my feet. I quickly step out to get some food, planning a night of lazy pool playing.

I get out and see Copenhagen for the first time, the sun is setting making the very lively Nyhavn look very pretty:





Nyhavn is the old harbour, so it's full of old boats, and also bars for sailors. It used to be the red light district, but now, it's full of very friendly tourists and partying locals. I decide there and then, that Copenhagen would be a good city to return to with some mates. Theres a great atmosphere, of people enjoying the last few weekends of the summer. I however, have to get to bed. I have a whole day of conferencing tomorrow, and I could do with resting my munro climbing muscles.

I quickly decide that Thai food is the most consistently reliable take away and get myself a four pack of Tuborg - Carlsburg doesn't really feel like a foreign beer.



I then settle down for the night, playing pool, sipping beer, eating thai and dancinga round and playing air guitar to G n' R on my iPod.