The snow began to fall again, drifting against the windows, politely begging entrance and then falling with disappointment to the ground.
Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
It was on a beautiful sunny day, that I went to see the ruins of Søborg Castle. Walking on these bare fields reminds me of the lake, that once was here many years ago.
The castle was one of Denmark’s largest and best fortified castles. It was built on an islet in the lake in the middle of the 11th century and was later conquered by the Viking, King Valdemar the Great.
Now the state will restore the lake: Take a peek below the post!
It might well have been here on the old lake bed of Søborg Sø that Andersen-Lundby got his inspiration for the painting: ‘Birds on the road’.
Note
The lake is to be restored over a number of years, to attract a diverse bird life and preserve the cultural-historical values around the lake. At the same time it will be an attractive place for outdoor life and reduce nutrient leaching.
The lake has been completely drained through an extended canal system since the 1870s. It was drained for agricultural purposes. The overall water levels in the region has been lowered 6-7 meters. The pumping layer comprises almost 600 ha.
The small ferry sailing around Frederiksborg Castle resembles undeniably a little boat from Legoland.
However, many people are having a joyous day on the lake with a different view to the castle
Recently I heard on the radio that the little boat is a rebuilt lifeboat from one of the most famous vessels in Danish history:
The ship Jutlandia, a floating hospital, that went on three expeditions from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War.
That changed completely my perspective on the small ferry, until yesterday, when I did some research.
The shipping company tells the story on their website. The ferry has sailed the lake since 1952, and the story about the lifeboat is so popular that it has almost turned into a truth. Some myths are worth saving 🙂
Note
You can take a wonderful walk around the lake and through the Baroque garden or you can continue towards Gribskov and wilderness.
Click the link to see my beautiful walk towards the mountain in the forest:
Do you think he intends to take a swim, I asked dubious. We stood as frozen, literally.
An old man wearing a bathrobe came walking towards us. He limped heavily and had difficulty keeping his balance.
He headed for the bathing bridge. We greeted each other, and I asked for his venture.
I’m going for a swim! It stimulates the body. We glanced in awe as he disappeared in the ice cold sea. We stood guard, unsolicited until he was safely back on the bridge 😊
Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.
John Wooden
When I think of Norway, I think of September. The smell of marshland. A wonderful clear blue sky between rain showers. In September, the mosquitoes are usually on retreat, and that makes the walk into low-lying areas much more pleasant. If you are lucky you can experience the birch trees changing dress from green to yellow to fiery red. It doesn’t get any better.
In Oppland Fylke, 50 percent of the landscape is above 900 meter.
We grasp a few apples from a wooden box, on our way down the stairs. The snowy roads are quiet, and the snow sparkles in the low sun. We park our bikes up against the trees leaning over the frozen lake.
There are all kind of people out skating. Old and youngsters and those in between.
We can hear the children screaming when one of them gets caught on the frozen lake.
It’s a unified image of joy and desire for life.
The only light on the lake is the sun setting in the horizon and a few street lamps up upon the hill. Yet, it never gets completely dark. Later on the moon lights up the snow, and makes the evening unforgettable.
It is only when the cold overwhelms us that we find our way home after an experience of a lifetime.
This wonderful evocative painting from the Danish painter Anders Andersen-Lundby, refreshed one of many outings I had with my brother, when we were children.
When we had given our bodies to the wind,
And all the shadowy banks, on either side,
Came sweeping through the darkness, spinning still
The rapid line of motion; then at once
Have I, reclining back upon my heels,
Stopp’d short, yet still the solitary Cliffs
Wheeled by me, even as if the earth had roll’d
With visible motion her diurnal round;
Behind me did they stretch in solemn train
Feebler and feebler, and I stood and watch’d
Till all was tranquil as a dreamless sleep.
William Wordsworth from “The Prelude”
HANNA'S WALK 
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