We were up at 7.30am, as we wanted to spend the morning in Copenhagen before the Balmoral set sail at midday. The weather was still bright and sunny, with a vivid blue, cloudless sky.
As the Palms Café didn’t open until eight o’clock, we made our way instead to the Ballindalloch Restaurant for breakfast, and we were pleased to see the bottles of cava next to the fruit juices, as tonight was Formal Evening once again. We collected a glass or orange juice and a glass of cava each, then mixed them together to make Buck’s Fizz – a great accompaniment to our bacon and eggs. 🙂
It was around half past eight when we disembarked the Balmoral and headed for the shuttle bus which would take us into the city centre, all of which was very familiar to us on our sixth visit to this wonderful city. The streets were fairly quiet this time of the morning, but we could hear some lively music and cheers coming from an area in front of the famous City Hall Square. Curious, we made our way towards it to see what was going on.
As we got closer, we could see some temporary spectator stands had been erected, and we could also hear some sort of commentary coming over a PA system. A small crowd had gathered and, finding a place near the front, we saw that a series of gym equipment had been set up, and both male and female participants were competing in some sort of endurance relays. Competitors had to do so many minutes / miles on an exercise bike, then do so many kettle bell lifts (above their heads), then so many pull-ups at the bar, then climb some ropes. All of these events were counted and timed. What amazed me was that some of the female competitors were tiny, no more than 50kgs, but they must have been deceptively strong because they could life those kettle bells and do lots of very fast pullups, all without breaking a sweat. It made me exhausted just looking at them!
We watched the competion for a while before continuing on our way. Many of the shops were not yet open, but we walked around and went as far as the famous Tivoli Gardens, which didn’t open until 10 o’clock; there was already a large queue waiting patiently for the gates to open. In any case, Christmas is the best time to go to Tivoli, which we did in December 2022, and it was absolutely magical.
One thing we hadn’t yet done in Denmark on this occasion was go for a Carlsberg. None of the pubs or bars were open yet, but we bought a couple of postcards and stamps and found a pavement café where I could sit and write them out. I enjoyed a delicious cold “rainbow” drink which consisted of different layers of fruit juices and nectars (cranberry, orange, pineapple, kiwi, blackcurrent), creating different colours. Trevor ordered a large mug of hot chocolate, and we sat there and people-watched as we enjoyed our drinks and I wrote the postcards. Then we found a post-box and deposited the cards and sent them on their way.
As we took a slow stroll towards the shuttle bus stop, I decided to go to a hosiery shop I’d visited a couple of times before to buy some tights. They sell a wide range of socks, tights and stockings, in all colours and textures. In 2022 I had bought a red opaque pair which went fantastically with by Christmas boots. They weren’t particular cheap but they were still going strong, and didn’t have any ladders or clicks to them.
The shop was open when we go there, and I bought an opaque purple pair of tights as well as some black lacy ones. It was about 18 quid for both pairs, not cheap as I say, but they are good quality.
We arrived back at the shuttle bus stop; one was waiting so we boarded it and were soon on our way back to the Balmoral, around 11.15am. We returned to 6009 and dumped our bags, then decided to go up on deck for a while, as they were going to have a sailaway party at noon, with the Impromptu Trio playing lively sounds. I didn’t get my beer in Copenhagen, but I could enjoy a freezing cold pint now. 🙂
Presently we felt the increased vibrations coming up through the decks which let us know that the Balmoral‘s engines were gaining momentum prior to her setting sail again.
Soon the dockside started to recede as the Balmoral got underway. The next time we would reach terra firma we would be back in Rosyth. 🙁
At two o’clock we went up to the Lido Bar for a game of baggo. You woudn’t believe how grown men and women could be so competitive about chucking a bean bag at a hole in a wooden board! Trevor and I made it through a couple of rounds but then got knocked out. We stayed, perching on our bar stools, to watch the final. As ever, it was all good fun with plenty of heckling, banter and cheering. 🙂
We then returned to 6009 for a half hour power nap before we had to start thinking about getting ready for the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail Party. Farewell! It only seemed like a couple of days ago that we had boarded. How the time flies.
We pottered around in the cabin for a while and then I took my time doing my makeup. I really love the formal evenings, when I can go for full-on glam. Smoky eye makeup, a gorgeous wig (or updo on the rare occasions my own hair is long enough) and full length evening dress. Tonight, I wore a simple long black dress with thigh-high split and a chiffon overlay at the shoulders. I put on my fishnet tights and killer heels.
We then made our way to the Neptune Lounge to be greeted by Captain Steffan Ravneng and his officers and senior crew members. The ship’s orchestra was playing and the dance hosts were taking their partners and whirling them around the dance floor. It was all very glamourous and everyone looked great dressed for the occasion. I really can’t understand why so many people don’t like the formal nights, or think they’re “old fashioned” – what’s not to like? A man looks so much more handsome and distinguished in a dinner suit. After all, you never see James Bond in trackie bottoms and a backwards baseball cap, do you? 🙂
We enjoyed the party, along with some of the freebie prosecco and sherry. We hadn’t had any lunch so we were fairly hungry by now, so we tucked into a couple of hot and cold canapés. It was then time for us to go to the Ballindalloch Restaurant for our dinner.
Dinner was delicious as usual and we, Jim and Margaret, Sheila and John all had plenty to talk about regarding all our adventures in Copenhagen. A fabulous city, there is always so much to see and do there.
Once we had eaten our fill and finished off the the usual post-prandial liqueur, we headed towards the Morning Light pub to wait for the doors to open to the Neptune Lounge. It was a little later opening tonight because of the second sitting’s cocktail party. So it was 8.45pm before we were able to go in and grab a front row seat; there was no dancing tonight.
The performer tonight was the wonderful violinist Michael Bacala once again, accompanied by the superb ship’s orchestra. He played an amazing selection of tunes and, when he said he was going to play Jules Massenet’s Méditation, my heart just melted. It is one of my favourite classical violin pieces ever. It is such a heartfelt and emotional piece of music, and Michael played it beautifully; he made that violin weep. And me too. 🙁
After Michael’s fabulous performance, which I enjoyed so much, we did the usual – headed up to the Lido Lounge for the 10 o’clock quiz (which we didn’t win) and a couple of cocktails. Then there was another show on; this time it featured the vocalists from the Balmoral Show Company and was called “Save the Last Dance for Me”. Naturally, all the songs were floor fillers, and soon the small dance floor was packed.
It was well after midnight before we returned to 6009. We had a full day at sea to look forward to tomorrow, and once again we slept very well as the Balmoral sailed on into the night.