Copenhagen, Denmark

We spent a relaxing few days in the trendy and multicultural area of Norrebro in Copenhagen.

We spent a day cycling around, checking out the more touristic sites and getting a feel for the city center. We were also able to see a lot of cool local stuff too, like an afternoon rave that had been organised under a bridge. We were not the only ones wearing earplugs.

The rave wasn't really our style, but the Danish love of eating brunch certainly was. We shared a delicious feast on our host's terrace that lasted half the day. The scrambled tofu was outstanding - check out the recipe below.

Our favourite aspect of Copenhagen though, was almost certainly the ease and joy of cycling everywhere. The city planners wisely invested in a staggering network of on and off-road cycle paths, which taken together with an acute awareness of cyclists by drivers, and high penalties for injuring them, has resulted in a phenomenal cycle culture. It was strange at first to be around so many other bikes, but to be swept up in the flow and cruising along soon became one of our favourite activities. 

We want one of these for shopping.

Recipe - Scrambled Tofu, by Rich from Canada

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

We have managed to leave the UK without incident, and my passport was not even seen by British border control. Perhaps this was only because so many people are arriving for the Olympics, but we were quite relieved I was not to have a black mark against my name.

The Eurostar and Thalys trains carried us swiftly to Amsterdam, where the weather was unfortunately as wet and un-summery as England.

Thankfully the weather improved, and we really enjoyed exploring Amsterdam by foot along its innumerable canals.

The bike-friendly nature of the city also really appealed to me, though to be offered a clearly stolen bike for €10 was one of it's downsides.

Our main mission for the day was to find and explore the Hofje - courtyard gardens of Amsterdam that are open to the public, but difficult to find unless someone has told you where they are. They were created as a form of social security, usually for women, and some still function as such. This one we found was a sheltered little haven that felt very cosy and secure.

Our trip to Copenhagen that evening was unfortunately not as comfortable. We took a City Night Line train that was incredibly cheap at €29 each, but was almost impossible to sleep on. We shared a compartment with chatty germans, and there were another group next door that drank an impressive quantity of beer.

Leighton Buzzard, England

We hate visas.

My Russian visa was rejected twice on the basis that I do not have a stamp in my passport to say I am here in the UK legally. Luckily we won them over with a letter explaining the situation and proof that I have been living in England for at least 6 months.

My Chinese visa has also been rejected twice, but they do not seem to be swayed by the evidence we have provided. Our wonderful agent at Real Russia is going to the embassy personally tomorrow to see if they can be convinced, but it is unlikely they will fold now.

We will therefore have to get a Chinese visa when in Mongolia, but that seems relatively straightforward. I guess we will find out in late September.

On a brighter note we have been spending lots of time with Dani's family, as her sister Lauren and Lauren's boyfriend (also called Sam) have moved in, and there was a wedding of course.

It was a very relaxed affair, and despite the unseasonable downpours it was a great day. Its a shame they are all so short though.

We also managed to get our hands on an Olympic torch that one of the guests brought along. It was surprisingly light, but apparently cost over £250 to buy.

Hopefully, with no further setbacks we will be departing in just over one week for Amsterdam. Lets hope we get some reprieve from the rain before then.