More Slots than Blackpool Pier!

Nykobing Sjaellborg to Frebensborg – 36 miles.

I was picking up the pace but not going too far. I had factored in the rainy forecast.

I had a nice breakfast and cycled early to the ferry port of Rorvig. I managed to arrive an hour early but it started to rain heavily as I arrived.

I hid under the shelter of an ice cream kiosk!

I was hopeful that it might open for me!

I was joined in the shelter by a bike packing tourer from Czechia. He had started his riding from Hamburg….and it turned out that I might have passed through his home village on a bike ride I did in 2024.

We got on the ferry to Hundested. The rain bucketed it down as we arrived. We hid under the overhanging roof of a building till it lightened. The Czechia guy must have had a better weather app than me….he predicted 10 minutes. He was right.

This was a gloomy picture. I was resigning myself to get very wet.

Actually it dried up and I rode to Hillerod. I had the wind with me and I could see black clouds ahead but the wind seemed to blow them forward as I rode.

I had planned to stop at Frederikborg Slot on the route. It was definitely on the route because the cycle path went straight through the Slot grounds and gardens.

This place was amazing!

If the sky was blue it would help but it was certainly more of a Palace than a Castle. It dated back to the 1600’s.
The reception hall.
The chapel! Wow.
Every room had an amazing ceilings and major artwork.

The Slot included a history of Denmark section and a portrait museum. The displays had been funded by the man who owned Carlsberg brewery.

Here is a portrait. Who do you think this is?
Here’s one of the ceilings.… photographed with a mirror.

I cannot tell you how good it was. I told one of the attendants that I rated it up with Versailles. It was so good! I was checking the names on the portraits of famous Danish people, which went up to modern times…. I commented that Jonas Vingegaard and Peter Schmeichel were notable absentees! She agreed.

I cycled through some of the gardens and forests.

The rear of the Palace.
Baroque gardens.

I found another Slot in the garden too.

Another slot on the way to my hotel.

This one looks like an Old People’s Home.

My last Slot was….

Frebensborg Slot. It is a current Royal residence but only occasionally used.

I will visit the gardens tomorrow morning, I expect the weather to be a little better…maybe not sunny but drier.

Whilst the rain held off till I arrived in town it has started quite heavy again this evening.

On a positive note, I have stayed mainly dry today and I’ve seen a fabulous Palace. It’s certainly not been like Blackpool Amusements on a soggy day. But maybe the Danish should start making sticks of rock and offer donkey rides! Maybe not!

The portrait was King Frederik X, the current King of Denmark. I will be testing you on Kings of Denmark tomorrow! How many can you think of?

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