Saving the Best For Last - or Fit For a King - #2

After our very tiring day of yesterday, we kind of slept in, then gulped down a light breakfast and set out for the castle in Hillerod.  It is known as the Frederiksborg Slot or castle.  Most LDS love to see it because many of Carl Bloch's most beautiful paintings of Christ reside there.

We have seen some magnificent castles this week, but Frederiksborg was nearly mind-boggling.  It loomed large over the little city it presides over.  We entered over a moat and through a magnificent courtyard.

Nearly the first thing we saw upon entering and walking up a flight of stairs was the chapel, a very large and spacious room.  We saw it from an upstairs room that looked out over the expanse of that great hall.  We circled the upper story of the chapel and ended up in the small room of Carl Bloch's paintings.  It took our breath away.  We stood with our mouths open trying to drink up the beauty there before we were shooed out because a service was about to begin.

We happily toured through much of the castle, enjoying the beauty of the ornate rooms and the treasures housed within.  We found a few more Carl Bloch paintings, and then returned to the chapel, where we spent some time taking pictures and taking about his great ability.

We walked about 10 miles....well it felt like it, but it was probably a mile or so out into the grounds of the castle and then back to the car.  It is one of those times when it seems nearly impossible to grasp all I saw....and it seemed like there was so much more to see in every room than we had time or emotional energy to see.  It was astounding and beautiful.  Even the ceilings were mind-bogging.

We returned to the apartment....a drive of about 40 minutes, parked the car and headed on foot over to the walking street.  We walked the length of it and on down to Nyhavn, that iconic harbor street, where we boarded one of the many harbor boat tours.  It lasted about 45 minutes and gave us some lovely views of Copenhagen.  It was a little chilly.

We came home, ate a very quick dinner and then headed out to Amager for ice cream....reputedly the best in Copenhagen, if not Denmark.  It is a one of a kind place, and has been in business for many years.  We waited in line, placed our orders and ate with relish (that means with enthusiasm - not the pickle variety).

It was one of those very exhausting days, but it was worth being exhausted.

We have packed so many things into this day, this week that I am floored with all that we have seen.

We have loved being with Erin and Ethan, and the week has flown by.  It will be very difficult to say good-bye early tomorrow morning.  We are nearly halfway through our mission, and so this was a lovely reunion, and a lovely way to spend time with them.

We will leave bright and early tomorrow for a mission-wide conference with Elder Bednar....perhaps that will help ease the pain of having them leave.  When my brother was here 2 months ago, we had 3 glorious days with them, and it took awhile before I quit missing them....I know I will feel like that these coming days.

I can see why it is not encouraged for families to visit young missionaries....too difficult to get back and focus on the work.

Our work is with young people we love, so that won't be difficult at all to refocus, but it will be hard to have our loved ones gone from us again.