Away in April 2011

Day 17 – London to Copenhagen

Gatwick Airport, Copenhagen

Sunday, 17 April 2011

Morning at leisure as flight to Copenhagen was not till late afternoon. So left our bags at the Manager’s Office and walked across Westminster bridge, planning to visit Westminster Abbey. Unfortunately we found that the Abbey is closed to tourists on Sundays.

So quick tour of the Jewel Tower instead, a lovely little tower across the road from the Houses of Parliament, which currently houses a history of the Westminster system of government.

The London Marathon was on so Westminster bridge and road leading to Trafalgar Square were closed to all but pedestrian traffic. It was hard getting around because of cordoned-off roads and the number of Londoners and tourists watching the race.

So decided to find a nice pub for a relaxed lunch – found this in the upstairs dining room of the Wellington. Over a pint and a gin and tonic, we shared an entrée of Scottish smoked salmon with apple and celery puree, then mains of roast beef for Anthony and cottage pie for me. We finished with coffee and a selection of three British cheeses.

Well fortified for the journey ahead, we went back for our bags, walked to Vauxhall for tube to Victoria station and bought tickets for the Gatwick express. It was only a 35 minute journey to the airport for our eazyjet flight.

We arrived in Copenhagen at 20.45 local time with the sun just dropping over the horizon.

It’s very overwhelming arriving in a strange city at night and having to find your way by public transport. Even though we had English instructions we couldn’t locate Central station at the ticket machine. Luckily a friendly local stopped us from buying a train ticket to Sweden!

Finally on platform 2 with a 72 hour Copenhagen ticket and on the right train, having checked that the train did in fact stop at Central and yes, we had arrived at Copenhagen central Station.

Straightforward 15 minute walk to our apartment for 4 nights. We were met by Finn, the owner, and realized that we were being given the privilege of staying in his stylish Copenhagen home. It’s a lovely apartment on the fourth and top floor of a small apartment block. I think we will be very comfortable!

	Inside the Jewel Tower [Map]		the Jewel Tower [Map]
	the Wellington [Map]		the day of the London marathon [Map]
	Vauxhall station [Map]		The kitchen of our apartment in Copenhagen [Map]
	Lounge room of our apartment in Copenhagen [Map]		Lounge room with bed on other side of divider [Map]
	The dining room on other side of kitchen [Map]