The title refers to the (still ongoing) trauma of trying to get a new mobile phone here in Denmark. I'd assumed that I'd need to wait till I had my CPR number - essentially a social security number - which was duly sorted last week. So, armed with this, we hit the shops of Østerbrogade last Saturday afternoon to procure a new smartphone.
That was our first mistake.
We hit the shops at 14.30. On a Saturday, in Denmark, the shops close (mostly) at 14.00. What is this, 90s Germany?
Fortuitously, one mobile provider's shop was open, well at least for another 15 minutes. Having previously done some research the signs outside the shop seemed to indicate a pretty good deal so in we popped to talk to the spotty youth. "I would like to buy a new phone" as an opener seemed to work. As did the confirmation of having a CPR number. So far so good. The next question however was "Do you have picture ID?" Ah, I thought, I have my passport in my rucksack so looking good.
This was our second mistake.
"No, I mean Danish picture ID?" Cue sound of cold water being poured on my smartphone desires. I mean why on earth would I, as an EU citizen, now legally registered in Denmark need Danish picture ID. Well apparently, 3, in their infinite wisdom and fed up of losing money through fraud have stipulated this. As well as, "because of terrorism." By this point, my ire had risen to the a state where I was about to ask the spotty youth "do I look like a terrorist?" However, reminiscing on the amount of random searches I somehow seem to get at airports and thinking that he might have the same sense of humour as the US Homeland Security I thought better of it.
Roll forward a few days and now starting to get desperate. I mean how hard can it be to get a phone in this country. I popped into another provider's shop, similar start to the conversation. Affirmative that I had my CPR. All going swimmingly so far. And then the crunch. "Do you have your yellow card?"
"Well, I have the official letter from the Ministry with my name, address and CPR number, but the card is still being processed." Apparently. This. Is. Still. Not. Enough.
So currently, I seem to be stuck in some bureaucratic doldrums with all the information I need, but just not in the right format.
Despite, this, a lot of other settling in type things have happened.
Realising that I'd never get stuff done, if I waited for the weekends or evenings only. I have had able assistance from R & T in wielding drills, hammers and screwdrivers. And they are very pleased with the new lights in their rooms. Blinds next, especially now the bright sunny evenings seem to have finally arrived.
May Day seems to have heralded the end of the wintry weather (fingers crossed) and glorious sunshine has arrived. Looking out of the window, I can see a boat bobbing around just outside the harbour and evening sunshine shimmering on the sea. (We have a small sea view, I'm just getting carried away).
Arriving in Faelledparken this afternoon for the playground, we found it full to bursting with May Day revellers celebrating Labour Day. Fortunately, T fitted right in with his red t-shirt and dungarees and R with her flower power outfit she put together. All very inadvertently I hasten to add.
We have started to get more into the habit of cycling places. We still haven't got our Ladecyckle (or Ladycycle as I call it) so R's scooting with T in the bike seat. I was actually quite pleased with the picture below, it seemed to capture a super day out climbing things in the park with some nice touches of colour running through it.
The plan is, once bank accounts are fully functioning that we invest in a "Christiania Bike' or similar. They look a superb way for getting around CPH with the kids, not to mention the capacity for shopping etc. And it'll be a good way to build the thighs up for getting up our stairs. Or is that the other way round...?
Finally, with our CoI busy taming fiendish calculations, our gastronomic ventures have been limited. However, we did go into Halifax on Trianglen for a family Sunday burger. They have a cool concept in this place. Choose the 'theme' of burger, then patty, sides and sauces. It all comes promptly and cooked to perfection (medium rare). They also have a nice selection of local micro brews on draught. Definitely to be a regular haunt. And pretty reasonable. Slight downside is that there is no 'børnemenu' but the burgers are plenty big enough to share with them.
Oh, there was one final thing I have noticed about Østerbro. There are possibly more Hunter wellies per capita than in SW London. I guess, in the Danes' defence they do get a lot more rain. But still, it's got to be up there with 'no brown in town after 6' (and no, this isn't me linking back to my "am I a terrorist" statement).
Farvel for now....
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