Sunday 4 September 2011

The Viking Warrior


I haven't had a chance to write about the Viking Centre we visited when we were in Ribe recently, but as it was probably one of the most entertaining days out we have had in the past couple of months, I couldn't miss it out, so here you go - sorry it's a bit late!  I have to confess this place was much more my cup of tea over nearby Legoland (who wouldn't prefer a place swarming with pretend Vikings being all tough and warrior like over a bunch of plastic bricks?)...

As is typical of these kinds of places in Denmark, it is very very hands on, so the kids had a whale of a time! They loved the playground (in the middle of a pond), and being able to have a go at traditional Viking crafts such as wood carving (with real knives and planes!!), archery, and cooking bread  (on long handled pans over an open fire!!)... All these normally off limit activities make it a dream place for kids, and Small boy especially was in heaven!


The Vikings here are a very friendly bunch, most of them come from Germany and are here on a working holiday for the summer to live the Viking dream, which they take very very seriously! They not only tend to the traditionally grown crops, and look after the old breeds of livestock, they also cook and eat here and sleep here, which gives it all the more of an authentic feel.


The highlight of our visit was when the Warrior training took place.  All boys (edited to add and girls who weren't interested in taking part!), were called upon to prove their strength and learn how to combat ferocious Viking opponents.    Small boy desperate not to be left out (and by far the smallest Viking of the lot by a number of years) gave as good as he got with a wooden sword against his (rather dashing) Viking opponent.  I love this last photograph, it makes me laugh so much each time I look at it - my very own tiny Viking warrior!


Definitely worth a visit should you happen to be in the area...

19 comments:

  1. You reminded me that we have something very similar near here that we must check out, not sure if Funky Monkey is still a bit too young though

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  2. Hownwonderful! We went to something similar recently in the UK and it was really super. I have v similar photos! X

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  3. oh I love places like this. There is a saxon village in Wales. My husband would love to be a viking, really truly he would except he'd miss his music...did they have an mp3 player charger anywhere?..I would need flushing loos...any flushing loos?

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  4. @Windmill Tales - I am sure she would love all the animals etc. though? :)

    @Spudballoo - thank you, these places are such great fun aren't they? :)

    @Kellogsville - if you check out the website, there is a section where you can register to be a 2012 Viking!!! No Mp3 players that I could see but I am sure they would have the odd lute or something similar lying about (yes they did have flushing loos but of course they were meant only for the visitors - If I were a "Viking" I would have used them though"...) :)

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  5. Hi Emma,
    You really do have the most amazing days out!! You are definitely making the most of your time there. x

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  6. Thanks Alexandra! We were guilty of not seeing enough when we were living in London, so whilst we are travelling about I want to see as much as possible of the country we are living in! Emma :) x

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  7. Emma, if you ever come back to London, let me know. I have been told that I am an enthusiastic tour guide :-)

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  8. It's a deal... I lived in London for 12 years (working in the city for 6) and I am ashamed to say that I didn't visit quite a few places!! :)

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  9. This looks like a really lovely place, definitely better than Legoland.x

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  10. Looks wonderful. I am taking the boys to Beamish again on Sat if the weather is OK. I love living museums

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  11. Thanks Isil, it was great fun (and no queueing for stupid rides!)...

    The Madhouse, that sounds great, haven't heard of it before, can you do a write up so we can read about it please? Emma :)

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  12. My girls would LOVE this place. I am beginning to think I need to move to Denmark and raise them as vikings...

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  13. What a place! Looks like brilliant fun - never mind for kids...do adults get to take on the Vikings too?!

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  14. Your teeny viking looks such a sweetie. Glad you had such a good time.
    I rather like that leather bag in the third photo - does it belong to the beardy bloke?

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  15. @Manana Mama - it was really good fun, maybe you should check with them to see if they need a permanent Viking family to move in and live there??

    @mothersalwasright - thank you! Yes, I guess they would probably like the challenge of slightly taller vikings!!

    @Trish - Thank you! The image of him walloping his opponent around the knees with a wooden sword almost as big as him will stay with me forever!! Yes, I think they were making the bags to sell there too... :)

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  16. Sounds like heaven for boys, my ones would love the sword fighting.. No Health and Safety stupidity there then! I am with you also, pretend vikings over lego bricks any day...

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  17. @Frankie - I am sure they would. Health and Safety hardly exists here either (in comparison to the UK at least!)... :)

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  18. I'd love, love to take my little girl to bake bread on an open fire and have a go at wood carving! Actually, I'd like to have a go at it myself!
    The last photograph is for keeps, Emma. It's just so sweet!! :))

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  19. Thank you Pia. You can see his personality in this picture, determined and very stubborn (just like me!)... Emma :)

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I love your comments - thank you :)

 
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