Scandinavia Cruise July 2012 - Copenhagen.

Our approach to Copenhagen port took us past a wind farm.

We could also see in the distance the bridge which links Denmark and Sweden. The bridge would prevent larger ships from being able to pass, so it incorporates a tunnel which is accessed from the bridge and the ships sail over the top.

 Town Hall.

Statue of Admiral Niels Juel who guided the development of the Danish navy in the late 17th century.

Twisted spire of Our Savior's Church in the Christianshavn district.

Christiansborg Palace.

The Palace chapel.

In the courtyard.

The Gefion Fountain. According to Viking sagas, the Swedish king promised the Norse goddess Gefjun as much land as she could plough in one night. She turned her four sons into oxen and ploughed enough land to create the Danish island of Zealand.

Nyhavn, the 17th century waterfront district. In years gone by it was the red light district that the sailors would visit. Now it is one of the most popular areas for visitors with many bars and restaurants.

Of course no visit to Copenhagen would be complete without a visit to the Little Mermaid.

Scandinavia Cruise July 2012 - Brugges

I am so far behind with our cruise photos so need to start getting up to date. In July 2012 we went to the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Our first stop on the way there was Brugges in Belgium.

The Cyclists is one of a group of four statues and fountains near the Concert Hall at t'Zand in Brugges.

The Bathing Ladies is another group.

Brugges is a lovely old medieval town with canals running through it and is often known as the Venice of the North.

St Bonfacius Bridge.

The Beguinage where unmarried and widowed women went for a life of religious devotion without the vows of the nuns.

The Grote Markt (Market Square).

Brugges is also known for it's horse draw carriages and there are strict rules for the horses to be fed and watered regularly.

This drinking trough is in the Square where most of the rides start from.
They also have statues of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse.

It is not very clear so here is a close up of one of them.

Some flowers before we leave Brugges and head for Copenhagen.

Edinburgh Scotland.

We arrived in South Queensferry which is the tender port for Edinburgh. When we took our tender ashore we saw that a previous one had got stuck on a mud bank and another one was trying to pull it free. They were there for over an hour so I am very glad we hadn't gone ashore a few minutes earlier.

We decided we would go to Edinburgh castle as the last time we were there we took the HOHO bus and didn't have time to go in.

Two Scots Guards on duty.

Once you get inside the castle gates it is not at all as I expected a castle to look like. It looks more like a town with roads and houses.

The One o' clock gun which gets fired daily.

There was a lovely view out across Edinburgh from the castle.

The Forth Rail Bridge which was opened in 1890. Our ship is just visible behind it.
I hope you have enjoyed our British Isles cruise, and if so, come back soon to see the pictures from Scandinavia.

Cappuccino.

Home only 2 days and I am missing my cappuccinos! Thank you to Lievieu (sp?) for all the lovely patterns you made for me.

Sunset and contrails.