Castles and chests

Summer doesn't last long in Denmark, so you have to make the most it. Long days and cool breezes lend themselves to enjoying Shakespeare outdoors. We were invited by our English friend Isabelle (on the far right) to attend a performance of Shakespeare's play As You Like It at the Kronborg Castle. We lucked out with the weather and were able to enjoy a lovely picnic outside of the castle before the performance.

As you may remember from a previous post, Kronborg castle is the setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet (from where the line 'There's something rotten in Denmark' originates). Because of this connection, a Shakespeare play is performed every summer in Kronborg.

The stage is outside, in the castle's courtyard. Blankets are provided, which is greatly appreciated as it can get chilly when you sit for several hours. We had a great time: the actors were fantastic, the company was great, and the setting was beautiful.

We have added to our growing collection of possible antiques (possible because we have no verifications of dates)! We started with the piano, which you saw in the last post. We have now added this huge chest. We bought it for a steal from an online auction house and it was delivered today. Thank goodness the delivery truck driver was willing to help Bobby carry the chest up to the apartment; it weighs at least 50 kg/110 lb!

The chest may be from 1778, though we can't verify that. We can tell you that it's pretty darn old, because it has hand-made nails and hand-forged iron bars. The initials, HR S, are short for Herr S, or Mr. S. Unfortunately, we don't know the history of it, but that leave us the freedom to make up the history! We have decided that it was a chest belonging to Bobby's great-great-great-great grandfather, Herr Sturm. Hey, if the initial fits!