The Vikings do Glasto
The vikings had radar!
We spent a week in Copenhagen – partly because we loved it but we were hiding from some windy weather. As the 45 knots of wind whistled high above the buildings, they afforded us fantastic shelter and we bobbed about as if we were in a flat calm.
For our final day, we ventured outside Copenhagen – to Roskilde – centre of the Danish Viking world. We were surprised to find the train to Roskilde on a Sunday was packed – standing room only. Many of them were carrying rucksacks with tents attached, we 
didn’t think they were intent in getting in touch with their Viking roots, and were too old to be going to a scout convention. Then the realisation dawned on us… that most were wearing wellies….. a quick google search revealed we were on our way to the Danish equivalent of Glastonbury. All tickets sold out months ago.
The Viking centre was fascinating, the 5 Viking longships on display, were raised from the seabed, as they had been sunk to block navigable waterways, as a part of the defence of the area. There was a boat yard that still builds working longships, with traditional tools and methods. The harbour was full of Lonships, one of which had sailed all the way to Dublin and back.
Roskilde was the former capital of Denmark, and at its heart, an impressive Cathedral which dates back to the 12th Century. Though the simple lines seemed to be in contrast with the ornate sarcophaguses of all the former Kings and Queens of Denmark that lie in numerous chapels within.
One of the most moving, was the last King, who was a navy man, who is buried outside the Cathedral in the ground. He wanted to be buried in the soil, with a view of the sea. A simple garden surrounds his grave stone.
Carra Tidings 