A Week With My Brother

My brother was visiting last week and I was able to go to a lot of places I haven't been to yet. We packed a lot in to just one week! We started off with a trip to the Sky Garden and then went to the nearby St Dunstan in the East church. This beautiful church was heavily bombed during World War II and what is left of the church is now a public garden. 

Saturday night we attended the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London. The red coat worn by the Yeoman Warder in the photo below has been worn by the guards at the Tower since the 1500s. We all really enjoyed the ceremony and would highly recommend it, especially since it is free. Unfortunately, the tickets are typically sold out six months in advance so we won't be able to get tickets for anyone coming in the next few months.  

Sunday morning, Jared and I went to St Paul's Cathedral during one of their services. Going on Sundays means you can't walk around or tour the inside but you also don't have to pay to get in. I am always impressed with this amazing building.

We had reservations Monday morning at Duck and Waffle. Jared got the Full Elvis and I got the Duck and Waffle. It was just as delicious as last time but was much easier to get to the restaurant (last time I went was during the tube strike).

After breakfast, we headed to the Tower of London and were there right as they were starting a parade to welcome a visiting navy. The Yeoman Warders closed the gates and called out "Who goes there?" and the visiting navy presented a cask of beer. Then they all marched back into the Tower. There was actually a lot more to it than that but these were the main points that I remember. 

We headed over to the Tower Bridge Experience where you can walk over a glass floor and look down at the cars on the bridge and the river below. I really liked going inside Tower Bridge since I love it so much from the outside. 

We happened to see Tower Bridge lifted while we were there. This isn't too rare as they lift it multiple times some days but I've never actually seen it before.

Another day we headed to Windsor Castle and I was excited to see the special exhibit about Queen Elizabeth's reign. She became the longest reigning monarch in England on September 9th and this exhibit was in a part of the castle that is normally off limits to tourists. 

We went on a guided tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and had a great guide. He was really knowledgeable but also quite funny. We went during a time when they were rehearsing for a new play so we couldn't take photos with actors on stage but he took us in a second time to get photos. 

Jared was interested in going to Camden Market so we headed there one day. We happened upon this group of buskers with a set up for photos at a tea party with the Mad Hatter. I haven't seen anything like this before and thought it was very clever. 

We ate lots of delicious food during his visit but one new place we tried was The Shed in Notting Hill. They do traditional British food and change their menu based on the season. We tried the chorizo with crisp bread, truffles, cider cheddar fondue, goat's cheese with hazelnuts, hake, and honeycomb with mascarpone. 

I had a great week hanging out with my brother in London. I can't believe how many cool things we happened upon by just being out in the city. The time went by really fast and I was sad to see him go. It is always so nice to have visitors and it encourages me to get out and do things I typically wouldn't do on my own. 

Bergen

We ended our Scandinavia trip in the beautiful harbor town of Bergen. I had heard amazing things about Norway from my friends Lisa and Mark who both consider it their favorite country. Even with all that hype, Bergen still exceeded my expectations. 

The old town (called Bryggen) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was originally established before 1070. 

St Mary's Church is the oldest and tallest building in Bergen. Construction began between 1130 and 1140 and was finished in 1180. The outside of the church was beautiful and I wish I could have seen the inside. But sadly, it was closed to tourists since it was Sunday. 

We went on a three hour boat cruise of the fjords near Bergen. The water was so dark it was almost black. The whole scene was beautiful with the cliffs and all the greenery. 

Our boat cruise catered to tourists and had fun stops planned throughout our journey. They stopped by one island that had a bunch of goats. One of the crew members fed the goats hot dog buns. 

Another time they stopped at a waterfall and filled a bucket with the water. They passed around glasses of the cold, clean water to everyone on the boat. Warren tried it and said it tasted like normal water, but it was refreshing. 

Back in Bergen, we had lunch at the fish market. I had fish soup and Warren had a steak made from whale meat. Both were delicious, but Warren was really pleased to try a unique meat. He also tried reindeer soup when we were in Norway, which he really enjoyed. 

I was surprised to find that Bergen was very lively, even in the first weekend of their off season. There were loads of people at bars and restaurants on Saturday night. We also saw lots of advertisements for local live music and events. I shouldn't have been surprised, though, because Bergen is the second largest city in Norway. 

I had a great time visiting this adorable city and would recommend it to just about anyone. We had a great time overall in Scandinavia and it was nice to end on a high note. 

Stockholm

Stockholm was another part of our Scandinavian trip last week. This Swedish city is made up of 14 islands on the Baltic Sea. Even though it rained most of our visit I still really enjoyed Stockholm. It was my favorite of all the cities we visited in Scandinavia. 

Inside the Stockholm Cathedral were two incredible ornate boxes where the royal family would worship. Angels hold up a golden crown over the royalty. 

Also in the Stockholm Cathedral is this sculpture of St George slaying the dragon. The story of St George is different in Scandinavia than in England (where he slays enemies to Christianity). Here St George (representing Swedish statesmen Sten Sture) saves a princess (Sweden) who was being held by a dragon (Danish King Christian I). This sculpture uses real animal horns and antlers for the dragon, which made it look really interesting and unique.

We went on a really great guided tour of the Riddarholm Church, which was built in the late 13th Century. It was used as a burial site for many Swedish royals, including King Magnus III who commissioned the building of the Riddarholm Church. 

In 2011, archaeologists opened the grave under the shrine to King Magnus III but found that the bones inside dated from the 15th century. They later opened the grave under the next shrine over for King Charles VIII but still did not find the bones for King Magnus III. They received permission to dig in between the two shrines and found artifacts consistent with the late 13th century and are waiting for permission to test the samples to confirm. This is a very exciting time for fans of King Magnus III (our guide was definitely a big fan of his). 

We missed the guided tour of the royal palace but were still able to go through the rooms by ourselves. They were beautiful and ornate but I wish we had made it on the tour since I know very little about the history of the palace. 

We had lunch at a fish stand and it was so good we went back the next day. We got fish, mashed potatoes, lingonberries, potato salad, pickled cucumbers, and a crispy rye cracker. 

We had a couple of mishaps at the grocery store in Sweden. We tried to buy milk but accidentally bought something more like sour cream. We tried to buy liquid laundry detergent but ended up with fabric softener. But I thought it was really interesting that you can buy frozen shrimp or berries in a bulk bin. Seems like a really clever idea rather than buying it prepackaged.

The Vasa was a war ship that sunk less than a mile into its maiden voyage in 1628. It was found in the 1950s and raised in 1961. This beautiful boat was preserved in the cold water of the Baltic Sea and provides a fascinating glimpse into another time period. 

The king added a second row of cannons to the design which made the ship top heavy and unstable. Just a strong wind blew it over and it took on water through the cannon slots.

Our last day in Stockholm we toured the Town Hall building. It looks much older than it actually is as it was completed in 1923. This is the venue for the Nobel Prize banquet. 

The Golden Hall inside the Town Hall has 18 million tiles with mosaics showing scenes from Swedish history. At the Nobel Prize banquet, this is the room where the winners meet the Swedish royal family before heading down for the banquet. 

We had a great time visiting Stockholm. The sites are interesting (especially with the guided tours), the food was great, and I especially loved the architecture. I would go back to Stockholm in a heartbeat!

Copenhagen

We decided to take advantage of the summer bank holiday and spent last week in Scandinavia. We started our trip in Copenhagen, Denmark. I must admit that I knew very little about Denmark so I came as a blank slate. 

We took a boat tour that originated in Nyhavn (New Harbor), a famous historic harbor dating back to the late 1600s. It was dug by Swedish war prisoners from the Dano-Swedish war that ended in 1660. Hans Christian Anderson lived in this area for over 18 years. 

Frederik's Church is located near the current residence of the royal family in Amalienborg Palace. The outside is much more impressive than the inside, though. We came back twice to see the inside because it was closed for a wedding on Saturday. I should have been satisfied just seeing the outside because it was not worth the second trip. 

Of course, we had to try a traditional Danish pastry. It was so delicious! The custard filling was incredible. I want to go back right now for another one. 

We had lunch both days at Pølse Kompagniet. Warren's (the one on the left) had a salt and pepper sausage, pickled cabbage, horseradish, pickles, and bacon. Mine (on the right) had a pork sausage, with mustard, ketchup, tartar sauce, onion, and cucumber salad. These were way fancier than hot dogs back home!

Rosenborg Castle was built in 1606 as a summer retreat for Christian IV. There were several really interesting rooms inside and the crown jewels are in the treasury in the basement. I really like the old Dutch style architecture they used for the exterior of the building. 

Børsen is the stock exchange building in Copenhagen built in the the 1600s. It was built in the old Dutch style and is most known for the spire with four dragon tails twined together. 

Dragons seemed to be a theme throughout the city, and I especially love the one on this street light.

The Little Mermaid statue is a Copenhagen icon and tourist attraction. It was first unveiled in 1913 and was commissioned by the son of the Carlsberg founder who was fascinated with a ballet based on Hans Christian Anderson's story of the same name.

Christiansborg Palace is the seat of the Danish Parliament and was the home to the royal family until 1794. We took a guided tour of the building and really enjoyed it. Neither of us knew very much about Scandinavian history so we were able to get a lot more out of our Scandinavian holiday by joining tours (most were free with the ticket purchase) .  

Christiansborg Palace burned down twice, once in 1794 and again in 1884. Efforts were made to reuse materials that were salvageable during the rebuild. The table in this grand dining room was made from boards of the staircase and the footrest underneath was made from the banister. 

We often heard King Christian IX and his wife, Queen Louise, referred to as the "parents-in-law of Europe" because each of their children married into powerful positions. Their children include King Frederick VIII of Denmark, Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom (married to King Edward VII), King George I of Greece (he was elected king by the Greek National Assembly), Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia (married to Tsar Alexander III), Thyra of Denmark (married to the Crown Prince of Hanover). Their grandchildren include King George V of the United Kingdom, Tsar Nicholas VII of Russia, King Constantine I of Greece, King Haakon VII and Queen Maud of Norway. The painting below was done during a family gathering at Fredensborg Palace and currently hangs inside Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen. 

Copenhagen was a great city to explore with loads of beautiful buildings, great food, and delicious salty black licorice.

Pop Goes the Fizzy Drink

Britain has several of their own sodas (or "fizzy drinks" as they sometimes call them). I set out to taste as many as I could with some willing volunteers. Here are the results. 

Irn-Bru (pronounced "iron brew") is the number one selling soda in Scotland

Mary: Smells like orange cream soda
Kate: Tastes like fizzy cough syrup. A little too medicinal for me. 
Pamela: Not too much orange flavor. I wouldn't go out of my way to buy it.
Sara: I really like it, it tastes like dessert. This would be great with ice cream as an Iron Bru Float.
Rachael: I don't really like it. 

Who would buy it: Sara

Vimto Fizzy was first produced in 1908 as a health tonic. Contains grapes, raspberries, blackcurrants, and a secret ingredient.

Mary: I really like it. It reminds me of a melted popsicle. 
Kate: I wish it was a little more tart. The secret ingredient must be well kept because I can't tell what it is. It reminds me of a party punch. 
Pamela: I love the color but it smells like berry medicine. I like it. Not too sweet.
Sara: It tastes like candy.
Rachael: I like it but I'd rather drink a Coke. 

Who would buy it: Pamela, Mary would buy it as a dessert, and Kate would drink it if it was offered at a party. 

Dandelion and Burdock was originally consumed as a type of light mead in the Middle Ages but is now a soft drink. 

Mary: It smells and tastes like Jaegermeister without the burning kick.
Kate: I get a weak black licorice flavor from it. 
Pamela: It smells like Robitussin and looks like alcohol. It tastes like beer and liquor mixed together. 
Sara: It tasted like Halls...menthol Halls.
Rachael: It tastes like annis seed and herbs. I like it. 

Who would buy it: Rachael 

 Apple Tango is a fruit flavored soft drink sold in the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, and Hungary.

Mary: It is really sweet, but I really like it. I think a kid would love this. Would be good mixed with Sprite.
Kate: It seems like something I'd like because I like green apples. It looks like champagne and smells like apple cider. It is sweeter than sparkling juice. I wish it was more tart. I couldn't drink a whole can. 
Pamela: I like it.
Sara: It looks classy and is super sweet. 
Rachael: I'd drink a whole can.

Who would buy it: Pamela and Rachael

Tizer (pronounced "tie-zer") is a red colored soft drink only sold in the UK. The name comes from "Tizer the Appetizer."

Mary: Is there ginger in it? The color would prevent me from buying it. This would be great for a sore throat. 
Kate: I like this one. It tastes like 7-Up with a hint of fruit. The look of the can isn't helping their marketing campaign.
Sara: What makes it red? It tastes like ginger ale and cherry. 
Rachael: It has a bit of a kick like ginger beer but much more tame.

Who would buy it: Mary, Pamela would buy if it was pronounced "tizzer," Kate, and Sara would drink it mixed with whiskey.

 Ribena* (pronounced "rye-bean-ah") was originally distributed by the British government as a Vitamin C substitute for children during World War II. 

Mary: It tastes like V-8 Splash.
Kate: It doesn't taste sweet after all the carbonated drinks. I swear there is a vegetable in here, a green leaf of some sort.
Pamela: Oh, there is a tomato in this somewhere. A Beet? Spinach?
Sara: The gals at work add a splash of this to their water.
Rachael: I kind of like it. 

Who would buy it: Mary, Rachael, Pamela would dilute it, Kate would try another flavor, and Sara would drink it if it was offered to her but wouldn't buy it.

Lucozade Energy is a carbonated energy drink that was created in 1927 as a source of energy for those sick with common illnesses. 

Mary: This is not the kind I've had before. It tastes like Red Bull diluted in fizzy water.
Kate: Ugh, there is a really weird aftertaste. Like bad fizzy Gatorade and bitter. 
Pamela: I do not care for the smell of it...or the taste. 
Sara: It is like Kool Aid without sugar. A friend of mine said her mom gave this to her when she was sick. 
Rachael: This is terrible.

Who would buy it: No one.

Lilt is manufactured by Coca Cola but is only sold in the UK, Ireland, Gibraltar, and the Seychelles. 

Mary: It reminds me of a Capri Sun with more sugar.
Kate: It smells like Squirt...tastes like Squirt with pineapple. This would be refreshing on a hot day. 
Pamela: Like a creamy Sprite.
Sara: You could make a fancy mimosa out of this.
Rachael: I like it. I like that the pineapple isn't overpowering. 

Who would buy it: Kate, Mary, Pamela, Rachael, and Sara would take it if it was offered to her.

 Cawston Press Rhubarb is sparkling juice of rhubarb and apple.

Mary: I love this.
Kate: Oh, I like this. I love the rhubarb, it doesn't taste artificial. If you could put this in a crust it would be the best pie ever. 
Pamela: I don't have words...I don't like it at all.
Sara: It tastes like Christmas.
Rachael: The rhubarb is the perfect thing to add to an apple soda.

Who would buy it: Kate, Mary, Rachael, and Sara would take one if offered.

Cawston Press Elderflower Lemonade is like lemon lime soda with Elderflower (a drink made from elderberries).

Mary: I have a love/hate relationship with it. I think I would buy it because I know it would take me a long time to drink. I think this would also be good diluted with Sprite.
Kate: It smells pretty but I feel like I'm drinking perfume. Flower flavors need to be used sparingly. It is too much in a 12 ounce can.
Pamela: I love the smell but I hate the taste. 
Sara: I like it. I would actually buy it!
Rachael: I don't like anything that tastes like flowers, including this.

Who would buy it: Sara and Mary

 Ginger Beer was created in the 1800s as an alcoholic beverage. Now it is a carbonated soda but it is still brewed and fermented and uses real ginger. 

Mary: I love it. 
Kate: I like this because it actually reminds me of ginger root. I really taste the earthy flavor. This would be super good with Chinese food. 
Pamela: It is smoother than Ginger Ale and with vanilla. I could buy this in bulk. 
Sara: It is burning my throat. I don't like it. Tastes too gingery. Like when I eat sushi with ginger. 
Rachael: I love it. I love that it is spicier and more flavorful than Ginger Ale. 

Who would buy it: Rachael, Mary, Kate, Pamela, but Sara would turn down even a free can. 

At the end of the taste test, I had everyone say what their new favorites were of all the sodas we tried. 

Mary: Cawston Press Rhubarb, Ribena, and Ginger Beer
Kate: Cawston Press Rhubarb and Ginger Beer

Pamela: Tizer and Ginger Beer

Sara: Irn-Bru for dessert and Cawston Press Elderflower Lemonade for a refreshing drink

Rachael: Ginger Beer and Tilt

Later on that evening Pamela's husband, Josh, tasted the leftover sodas and ranked them (from left to right). He had quite a different perspective than most of us, so it was interesting to get his input, too. 

*We tasted regular Ribena for this because we couldn't find Ribena Spark, which is the carbonated version. I went to over 20 stores and never saw it.