Chez Spud

It’s all about the little things…that’s the conclusion Jelica (which, by the way, is pronounced Yel-IT-sa) and I came to whilst discussing how to differentiate one European city from another when, in certain ways, so many seem similar. Same shops, same brands, same coffee chains, same rather grotty main train station situated in the seedy part of town, same ‘famous’ main shopping street which is always heaving despite being really nothing special when compared with the lovely surrounding streets.

Copenhagen felt a lot like Brussels in places, then Vienna and then, out of nowhere, a huge piazza presented itself and we were in Italy! But it was the little things that set Copenhagen apart from its European cousins, and those are details that I will burn in to my mind and spin my memory web around.

Even the manhole covers in Copenhagen, a city drunk on design, can’t be purely functional. Why be plain when you can be fancy? This one is inspired by one of Denmark’s most notable sons, Hans Christian Andersen, and his tale of the Steadfast Tin Soldier (who falls in to the sewer..so apt). It’s not a very good photo, but you can just make out the famous silhouette of HCA in the middle, the soldier, fish, mermaids etc. Thankfully Danish good taste prevailed and we spared the sight of turds floating by…

Bertie was very excited when I told him I was going to visit Copenhagen. Both he and Diggy adore the movie of Hans Christian Andersen and, especially, the song ‘Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen’. Bertie quickly instructed me on how to greet HCA should I happen upon him:

“You must say, ‘Hello I’m Bertie’s Mummy! Bertie watches you on the DVD all the time!’ and he will say, ‘Hello Bertie’s Mummy! Now you are in the TV with me.’” Argh…help! I’m trapped in the telly with Danny Kaye and his singing thumb. Send help. And a mallet for the singing thumb…

Back at Julochka‘s fabulous home it was the little things that were catching my attention too. Her house is completely divine, and you can’t turn a corner without something beautiful, engaging and often witty to look at. The place is STUFFED full of pretties, as per the numerous shots on my previous Blog Camp 2.0 posts. Even the ceiling is fascinating Chez Julochka….!

That sign above the door? Want to take a closer look…I thought so…

Giggle…speaking of which, check out the one outside by the front door…

Speaking of hippies…turns out that Flower Power is alive and well on the streets of Copenhagen…

Madame…if you’re going to Julochka’s be sure to wear some flowers in your [grass] hair…and use the side entrance. And absolutely NO spitting. I thank you.

If you liked that, you might like this ...

• The One Where the Blog Campers meet in London
• Saturday Snippets…what I learnt today
• Tea for two
• Blog Camp 3.0…let the fun begin
• Blog Camp 2.0…A Tale of Four Breakfasts