We drove into Roskilde and went straight to the Viking Ship Museum (free parking there for the day). It was probably worth the 120DKK each. The centre piece is five boats that were discovered beneath water, having lain there for some 900 years. They had been filled with rocks and scuttled as a means of blocking the waterway against raiders. The boats weren't complete but metal frames had been made and those parts of the boats that had been salvaged were put in their proper place.
We walked into the centre of the town, a place we liked very much. The cathedral was closed for a service but reopening at 3pm. Returning then, the queue for entry was so long, we gave that a miss, thereby saving 120DKK. It's quite gratifying, the amount of money that can be saved by not doing things, usually due to rain so far.
Leaving Roskilde, we went in search of a halt for the night. Today, we scored big time. We are at Gershøj, right next to a wide fjord. There is supposedly rom for ten camper vans. We were the third to arrive and found a beautiful spot, right next to the water. There have been families here during the afternoon and evening as there are picnic benches only feet away so it has been quite noisy. They have also been swimming in the fjord but it really is perfect for that. Now, it is totally quiet and peaceful. This may be our best overnight stop so far.
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| Gershøj |
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| Gershøj |
A city day today. Just
a twenty minute drive to Roskilde, and the Viking Ships Museum. Its
focus is a collection of five partially restored Viking ships of
varying sizes, recovered from the bottom of Roskilde Fjord. A lot
more going on besides. I am always ashamed at these times of my lack
of historical knowledge. I want to compare what was happening here
with what was going on in Britain at the same time, and find it
difficult to put things into the perspective of the wider world.
Amazing that the Vikings travelled all over in these boats -
including America, it seems. but they didn't think much of it there!
And we hear nothing here of pre-Viking history. Very little
happening. And not till 1100 or so, did they take on a more European
influence. After they'd given up raping and pillaging,
presumably.
Dodging some heavy showers, we walked up through the park to the Cathedral. When we got there just before 1 it was closed to visitors until 3 for a service. When we returned just after 3 there were queues all round the Cathedral square. Seems we are destined not to get inside a place of worship. The outside was very impressive though.
Meanwhile, we had had a productive time. Lunchtime sandwiches consumed by the fountain in the town square. Provisions purchased. An IT shop located, where the very nice young man assured me that a screen cover for my iPad wouldn't be any better than the cling film already covering it. Short of leaving it to be repaired for several days, there is nothing to be done but to carry on with it as it is, and renew the cling film if necessary.
We also whiled away some time in the Tourist Information office - more like a library - with comfy chairs, wifi and loads of info which we really should have picked up ten days ago! Memo to selves - find a TIO as soon as we get to Sweden! There was even a free coffee machine, which looked too good to be true. And was - all I got out of it was hot water.
This evening we feel as if we have been dropped into a photograph. We are in a tiny harbour on the Roskilde Fjord, 30 mins north-west of the city, It has been a perfect evening, warm and very tranquil but with lots going on at the same time. Families have come and gone, swum and picnicked. Boats at anchor are mirrored in the totally calm, blue water. The view across the fjord is gorgeous, with the sails of several boats still catching the sun at 9 o'clock. A canoe has glided past. All's well with the world.
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