Legejunglen - GREAT for a rainy day

Free for the adults and unlimited play once you've paid for the kids.

Laura (6) and Petra (1.5) were ready for an adventure the day I
took them to the play jungle in Slangerup. 

It is huge - especially by Danish standards.

But as you can see by the shutter speed, it soon became clear that Laura would be up,
down and off to the next challenge long before Petra made it past the first hurdle
- with me following up her rear.

I'm going to post this while I walk the dog and then put up some more photos.
He's crossing his legs, and not being the most tech-savvy blogger in the worls,
I wouldn't want to add 'washing the carpets' to my list of things to do today :).

WATCH THIS SPACE

Phew, that's better. And I've cleared up the hedgehog poo outside 
ours and the neighbours' too. 
There must be an industrial application for hedgehog poo - 
it has EXTREMELY effective adhesive qualities.

Good job they are so cute.

Anyway, back to the play jungle and the first ball pit.

The biggest slide was certainly the volcano.

Laura was great at finding handholds.

Petra seemed to think she could toddle on up there - look grandma, no hands!

Wow. Halfway up!

Near the top!

And parachuting down again. Good idea to wear leggings!

And no the person who left more than a CO2 footprint wasn't us, 
but it did make us think about getting angles of trajectory right!

Come on Grandma, you can do it!
Our next post will show more fun obstacles, including this 'mangle', which I was pleased I managed to get through. Headfirst, and fairly quickly. I didn't have much choice as both kiddies had shot through it in a matter of seconds and were heading off into the interior intestinal tract of the monster playground.

Last Christmas at the open air museum

I guess Father Christmas's reindeer had a cold -
he was feeling a little horse, at least. 

Here's the cosy museum shop with plenty of ideas for good quality presents from the past. 

The sails were on at the mill, which was open by chance.
Check out the website to find out exactly when the mills are open at

 www.natmus.dk/museerne/frilandsmuseet

It would have been nice if that link had been blue 

but I guess the nissers (Danish Christmas goblins that play tricks) 

have been up to mischief.

A nice view is waiting at the top.

Oops here's the nice view.

And inside, you can see how different types of wood are used for
 the teeth, wheels and central treetrunk around which the mill turns
to make the most of the wind direction.

It was really impressive to see how flour was made all those years ago.

It was also interesting to think that mel in Danish = 'flour' in English
but we have 'wholemeal bread' in English too.

There were lots of houses to explore and big barns where
you could enjoy food and drink. But they were full of people who
might not want to be on a blog. So I've only used photos
without close-ups on faces except for these lovely ladies who
might well be serving again this year. 

Yummy!

Jake warmed up with a meatball and bread...

...before polishing off a traditional pork sandwich with all the trimmings.
Well not all the trimmings because there were hearts and nissers all over the place!
This is Denmark after all!

We'll be back this year for seconds!

Potty time at the open air museum

This is cheating a bit but I'll pass it off as a good way to learn some Danish
- if you can zoom in close enough.
This is just one of the MANY old houses at the open air museum.
But these photos will give you an idea of what to look forward to
on this huge site, where admission is free.

All the potter's tools are on display

Neatly lined up.

Ouch - also at head height. Though judging by the height of some of the doorways,
Danes may just have been related to hobbits.

Imagine the potter sitting with his back against the wall,
treadling like mad with his feet (if there's such a word)
so the base goes round as he's shaping the lump of clay
 on the top. I guess that's how it works, anyway.
I'd be no good at that because I can't even rub my tummy while patting my head!   

Here's the kiln where the pots were fired.

And here are some more pretty pots. Is that a pig's head hanging on the wall?

This photo has nothing to do with the museum, but Dr Watson has just had his whiskers trimmed.
Hold on, Watson...is that a packet of crisps?

The Museum of Design on Bredgade

Footloose and fancy free in the play zones,
so you'll have to take your shoes off.

Even adults can feel tiny, swinging their legs, on a chair like this.  

A table with six legs?

And here's the first play zone.

Jake had fun building a tower.

But the thing with things that go up is...

...that at some point they fall over and bop you on the head.

Further into the exhibition, you'll find this classroom.
Imagine sitting on these instead of chairs.
Drop off and you'll drop off.

Monkeying around is always fun. 

Rest In Pieces? Not for long!

If you like Thomas the Tank En gine, you'll enjoy playing
with these kiddy-height trains.
Ready, train set, go!

Now we come to the slightly odd toys. Model making out of fish bones?
Well that's certainly an idea. 

And this seal suit would be perfect for kiddies who bite thair nails.

There's plenty to see.

Peekabo

And of course, the good old Trip Trap chair is there.

Jake thought it was interesting making his own animated film
and it was. Until a little girl swiped his main character and
muscled in on his action.
Oh well. It added a touch of drama :o)

The next post will show some of the permanent exhibits -
and one is a bit rude, so watch this space :o)