When in Denmark...

of course, there has to be LEGO.

We weren't too sorry to say farewell to the rather shabby hotel in Ribe this morning. We knew, when we booked our room, that it was the oldest hotel in the country, so didn't expect all the modern amenities. We did, however, expect it to be rather better maintained and in keeping with its reputation. Instead, there was little or no service, the carpets were worn and the whole place was tired. That it had no parking and there was no assistance with luggage (no lift either) made us both grumpy. What made it worse was that my Hero's company owned an hotel of similar vintage for several years and somehow managed to keep it far better suited to the modern traveller. Yes, it took some investment, which is what this place badly needs.

At least it was dry this morning when my Hero set off to fetch the car, a fifteen minute walk away.

From there, we drove through deserted villages, along roads with hardly any other traffic. Where was everybody at 9.30am on a Saturday morning?

So bemused were we at the absence of anyone in these streets that I looked up the population of Denmark. The answer delivered something of an answer: of the six million people who live in Denmark, 40% of them live on the island of Zeeland, in or around Copenhagen. So here in rural Jutland, there's no wonder it feels pretty empty.

From time to time we passed by a farm, frequently with a sign outside offering “kartoflet” (potatoes) for sale, but otherwise, there was very little going on at all.

An hour's drive from Ribe and we arrived in Billund, home of LEGO. Yesterday, my Hero had booked us two tickets for the LEGO House, timed for 1015 arrival, stay as long as we wanted. We arrived a little early, so pottered over from the car park to see what's what.

The place opened at 1000 so, unsurprisingly, we had a short wait - oh dear, we just had to wait in the shop, didn’t we?! We were intrigued by the “made to order” minifigs and looked closely at having a family made in our likeness but when we realised it was more about printing onto the exisiting minifigs, we thought again.

As the time neared 1015 we made our way over to the welcome desk and I waited by a couple of chaps by the entrance.

As I did, I noticed a family posing in the photo frame opposite, but who was taking their photo? Maybe they were just pretending?

Because there was a large minifig there with a camera, which was kind of fun.

As my Hero came over with our wristbands, he explained. Everywhere we saw the yellow wifi sign, we could swipe our wristband and there would be a photo op there or nearby. Once home, we could then scan the QR code on the wristband to download the collection of photographs from our visit. Clever, eh? And yes, this photo frame was the first opening shot, so we swiped our armbands and smiled nicely for the cameraman…

Around the corner was a warm up activity in the form of a huge pit of yellow bricks, all the same size. Make something, was the challenge.

So we did.

Nothing monumental or out of the ordinary, but it got us started putting LEGO bricks together and we both agreed, we'd rather enjoyed that! (and yes, there was a photo op)

The next area was about making vehicles and the contents of the brick pit became clear. Here there were axles and steering wheels and once again, we sat and put a few together, this time to try out on one of two racetracks.

Line up the vehicles, swipe our wristbands and the countdown began.

On “go!” the ramp lowered and our cars zoomed off and over the hill to the other end.

They raced side by side the whole way, finishing almost hand in hand. How sweet was that!? And of course, the whole thing was filmed and we can download it later.

From here we went into the Robotics zone where we needed some direction from Freja, the young staff member operating the activity. We'd need to program our robots to move forward, to dig a hole, plant seeds, water the seeds and then watch them grow. Or, if you made a mistake as I did, reverse over the flowers you've just palnted and squash them! Oops! After four or five plantings, the robot needed to drive to the lake to fill up with more water and then could begin again. Yes, we'd signed in with our wristband, so you know the whole thing was recorded and Gill's score there on the screen for the record too.

The best thing of all, was that there were so few people here at this time of day, even on a Saturday, that we never needed to wait, nor to squeeze in amongst people. There was plenty of room wherever we went and we were really enjoying the activities. The next area was about creating environmentally focused LEGO models with unusual colours and with eco-friendly purposes.

I built a funny little vehicle with scrubbing brush wheels and two dustbins on the back for collecting rubbish. Just before I took it to the recording station, I spotted a bright yellow turbine that fitted on the top, so stuck it on and took it to the photo booth.

A little 3D video was created for me.

There seemed to be quite a commotion around the corner from here. It was the character creation station, where all the parts of minifigs were there to mix and match. Not only that, but across the way was the LEGO town - a fabulous scene reminiscent of the builds on the Legomasters TV programmes we love. Clearly this was the most popular area - and perhaps, too, more people were arriving and the place was getting crowded.

As I took my picture, the lights were dimming in the town and it was turning dark, which explains the pinkish hue.

We both felt that we were reaching our limit and of the same mindset that says “Quit whilst you're still enjoying yourself”, we decided we'd do one last activity and call it a day. We still had three hours to drive as well.

So, I settled into the flower area, realising immediately that I had no idea how these flowers are built, for they appear to be a different LEGO system from the rectangular bricks. Thankfully, there was a young man (with fluent English, of course) who could explain how I put a flower head together using some connectors and “these little pieces which are really hard to find!” and for the next ten minutes I built a very simple flower.

A sad little bloom really, expecially compared with the specimens already in place on the display table, but never mind. It was fun!

We couldn't leave without taking a look at the masterpieces up on the top floor, arranged around what must have been an almost life sized tree which grew through the atrium from the ground floor up.

Only from the top floor could one see the “worlds” which had been built on several levels. Incredible, really.

As were the masterpieces. Wow.

There was one last swipe of the wristband as we left - pose for a photo and watch it transformed into a LEGO mosaic! I was awaiting the offer to purchase the LEGO bricks to recreate it for real but it didn't come - yet, anyway! Perhaps when we download the image? And you know, in a way, it would be rather fun, wouldn't it?

Oh, and by the exit was a going home present. One bag each - thank you!

Except we swapped ours for DUPLO bricks, for you know who!

We were a happy and very contented pair who continued on our way to Aalborg this afternoon. Still along quiet roads with hardly any other traffic.

Eventually, around 3pm, we reached the water and knew were were nearly there.

We had just the one mystery however. We seem to have gathered a hitchhiker along the way, having spotted them just after leaving Ribe this morning. The question is, how on earth did he get there? And, what on earth will they think when they find themselves somewhere completely different (and away from their family?)

Hmm. I think I'm overthinking that one! Anyway, they were still there when we left the car park this afternoon and we'll see if there's anyone there tomorrow, eh?