In Denmark, we now have an ocean of alternative at our fingertips when the nice climate comes. Whereas I used to be locked away for the winter, planning for when it was secure to go exterior once more, it occurred to me that we could have one of the best land-sea life-style steadiness on this planet.
Owen O’Sullivan is an audio producer, comic and co-hosts the podcast Coping in Copenhagen. Picture: Owen O’Sullivan
One thing smells fishy and I couldn’t be happier.
On Wednesday twentieth March, spring may have formally arrived.
You’ll begin seeing individuals stopping mid-stride to absorb a ray of sunshine that they occurred upon, rejuvenating in actual time like Superman.
There’ll now not be a must put on a watch, as each road may have its personal sundial within the type of teams of threes and fours transferring together with a shaft of daylight between the buildings, nursing kiosk cans till the shaft is totally gone. At which era, it’s time to go residence.
However desperation for vitamin D just isn’t what I wish to speak about; I wish to get us excited in regards to the ocean of alternatives we now have at our fingertips when the nice climate comes.
And I do imply ocean – nicely, sea – of alternatives.
As a result of whereas I used to be locked away for the previous 6 months, planning for what I wish to do when it was secure to go exterior once more, it occurred to me that we could have one of the best land-sea life-style steadiness on this planet.
And right here’s why.
The seashores
Sure, I do know, I do know – they will not be the prettiest to take a look at, however by golly there are sufficient of them for all of us.
You’re by no means removed from a Danish seaside and while you do wish to go, there’s an excellent probability you’ll find some room to arrange your little camp.
Evaluate this to my residence nation, Eire – a spot well-known for its lovely shoreline. Certain, while you wish to go for a windy stroll alongside the sand there’s loads of room.
However come that one sunny June day and you might be preventing with the inhabitants of a complete city to discover a spot, driving alongside a mile of parked vehicles (this isn’t an exaggeration) to discover a house.
Your solely probability, IF you’re a native, is to go to the key seaside. There’s all the time a secret seaside. However when you do, you’ll have to deliver your abseiling gear, as a result of you’ll inevitably should climb down some cliff faces.
Cliffs are usually not an issue in Denmark. Nor are there hordes of metropolis people taking on the entire seaside.
As a result of in Denmark, the town brings the seaside to you, within the type of our great canals. And certain they could be busy, however that’s the value you pay for having the ability to determine to go for a swim on the way in which residence on a whim!
Sports activities
Swimming! You possibly can swim A-N-Y-W-H-E–R-E. And when you’re actually courageous or have entry to a sauna, A-N-Y–T-I-M-E.
How about browsing? On the west coast of Jutland is a spot known as Chilly Hawaii – how enjoyable and alluring is that!
Don’t dwell round there? How about windsurfing?
As soon as upon a time, some shiny spark thought “it’s moist and windy, let’s do one thing with that”, and behold, a sport was made. You don’t have to really do any of those, it’s simply nice that they’re there.
And sure you may windsurf in loads of international locations. However there’s an accessibility and lack of pretentiousness that I actually recognize right here. It’s not such as you’re battling the superior may of the North Atlantic. You’re simply partaking within the pleasures afforded to you.
To see what I imply, simply cease and watch the windsurfers the subsequent time you’re in your means all the way down to Møn.
Island hopping
We do loads of island hopping right here in Denmark; it’s half and parcel of dwelling on an archipelago, be it by way of bridge or ferry… or aircraft when you’re going the flowery approach to Bornholm. You’ve 1,419 alternatives to have an journey.
We could be dwelling within the Kingdom of Denmark, however each Island is its personal little nation. I may go to Orø, north of Holbæk, an Island that’s virtually walkable when the tide is out, and really feel like I’m a thousand miles from land.
The magic of a ferry journey, regardless of how brief, can do rather a lot for the thoughts.
Seafood
You’ll assume that in Eire that we now have an abundance of and affiliation with seafood, and to a sure extent we do – however one of the best seafood is coveted by the harbour cities.
If you happen to didn’t develop up getting the contemporary catch, the closest you bought was a cremated haddock from the native chipper.
Denmark has modified my world on this respect. Not solely is there unbelievable seafood close to at hand, it’s built-in seamlessly into each day life.
This may increasingly not imply a lot to lots of you, but it surely has meant rather a lot to me. My style buds have been given a second probability late in life and for that I’m eternally grateful.
I do know loads of these items you are able to do in lots of locations, and higher in some, however there’s a symbiotic life-style with the ocean in Copenhagen like no different.
Chances are you’ll not often cease to take discover of the ocean. Days could go with out seeing it.
But it surely does play an element in all our lives as a result of, prefer it or not, we’re all islanders right here.