General News about Frederik, Mary and Family Part 14: September 2015 - December 2015

[Sun Lion]

Originally Posted by helenbeee

Things they might do is go to Port Arthur Historic Site or unzoo probably MONA and taste of tasmania other than that just relaxing I guess. My house is just up the road from them Im looking forward to seeing them out and about. Hope the paps dont ruin it. Tassie is a very laidback not into airs and graces I think thats why Fred seems to enjoy it when he has been here.

Now helenbeee, I for one am hoping you will forgo any holiday activities of your own so you can get straight onto The Royal Forums with you're reports of the Royal comings and goings down the road.

(Have a great holiday and seriously, I hope you see CP Mary or her family members at least once.)

[Lady Nimue]

Originally Posted by polyesco

Now this picture is just perfection, they both look so good
http://www.billedbladet.dk/sites/bil...?itok=yYs1L6Uj

Wow! Mary is definitely at home! She oozes relaxation and happiness.

[polyesco]

Originally Posted by Sun Lion

There was also a photo from this trip polyesco of CP Mary on the beach with one little twin stapped to the front and the other on her back.

I always thought that photo was from Spring Beach where Mary's sister Jane has her holiday home.

I was looking at the website for "Blue Lake Lodge" at Lake Arthur in the highlands of Tasmania the other day.

It was reported this is where the family slipped off to, away from the reporters and photographers on one of their previous visits.

They've also been reported as being seen in Strahan on the west coast before.

I wonder if they've made it to Cradle Moutain and Dove Lake - an easy bushwalk for the children now they're older if the stay on the boardwalk.

This one?
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XUUoQsZWvX...12544851_8.jpg
the landscape looks amazing

[Sun Lion]

Originally Posted by polyesco

This one?
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XUUoQsZWvX...12544851_8.jpg
the landscape looks amazing

That's the photo polyesco.

I don't think it was labelled, but the bush around the shoreline made me think it was taken there.

Though a lot of Tassie is like that, bush, bush, bush - and if not, then farmland and historic villages - but that photo made me think of that area.

[Muhler]

Sun Lion, you ought to be a reporter.
Your descriptions are so vivid.

Now, we simply have to have an illustrated guide to Australian/Tasmanian Christmas. If not here, then in the Christmas thread.

[Sun Lion]

Cheers Muhler.

Has there been any word of when the CP family are to depart Denmark - or will we only know when they are spotted somewhere?

I saw the very large and beautiful Christmas tree CP Mary lit up in Copenhagen - very nice to have a real tree.

I'm of the generation who grew up with real trees, always making the house smell of pine and such a Christmas smell that you don't get with artificial trees.

(But didn't our poor mothers bemoan all the dropped needles and the mess, and didn't the cats of the house need to climb and explore - such dramas.)

Sydney has a very large tree inside a very grand old building called the "Queen Victoria Building" - artificial of course - but Swarovski put a million dollars worth of crystal ornaments on it every year.

Our other city trees are all very stylised and not trying to look like a real tree but more like a tree symbol.

I wonder if Nicole Kidman is coming home this year - she has a flat on the other side of the train station from me and has again had someone put up her big blow-up Santa Claus on her balcony - so things are starting to get festive now.

Another tradition throughout Australia is "Carols by Candlelight" - perhaps you have that too - or maybe it is too cold for families to sit outside for hours on a Danish night.

[Muhler]

I think you'll know before we do, Sun Lion.

As to carols with candles: Well, yes and no.
We don't go outside as families and sing, it's a bit too cold and too much trouble putting on warm clothes, so it's better to stay indoors.
But during December-evenings it happens very frequently, especially in the larger towns and cities, that groups of friends (often music students) take op position on balconies or other public place and sing a few Christmas songs.
Of course Salvation Army bands are also mobilized. - It adds to the festive spirit.

The American (or Disney, I'm not sure) tradition about children walking around in a neighborhood to knock on doors and sing for the residents, has AFAIK never been a tradition here.

[MidwestMom]

Sun Lion, I, for one, would love to see a picture of the tree loaded with Swarovski crystals!

Muhler, I think the custom of caroling from door to door began in England, but I'm not sure. There are old carols that refer to ''wassailing'' (we've been awhile a-wandering among the leaves so green, but now we come a-wassailing, so plainly to be seen; for it's Christmas time when we wander far and near, may God bless you and send you a happy new year) Maybe some of our English members can enlighten us. I have never been ''caroled'' but my parents were. Surprisingly, it was their Amish and Mennonite neighbors who sang for them.

The Hispanic residents in our area sometimes do the custom of ''posada'' - not sure if that's the right word. Help, Polyesco! They reenact the story of Mary and Joseph looking for lodging by going from house to house.

It's time to revisit and update the Christmas customs thread!

[Sun Lion]

Perhaps CP Mary and her family will get to attend Hobart's "Carols by Candlelight" as they are having three events this year - two next weekend.

This is probably Australia's biggest Christmas tradition and events are held throughout December across all the towns and cities.

The very biggest one is from Melbourne and held on Christmas Eve. It is broadcast across national TV.

Sydney's is usually held the weekend before and called "Carols in the Domain" - and also broadcast.

I didn't realise the background, but there is a very nice wiki page about it.

A radio presenter in the 1930s in Melbourne, walking home, saw an old woman singing along to the radio by candlelight - and started to organise an outdoor event for all the people on their own at Christmas.

Now it is very common to go to your local "Carols by Candlelight" in your town park or other public place.

I hope the little Royals get the chance - it is a real Aussie Christmas thing.

[polyesco]

Originally Posted by MidwestMom

The Hispanic residents in our area sometimes do the custom of ''posada'' - not sure if that's the right word. Help, Polyesco! They reenact the story of Mary and Joseph looking for lodging by going from house to house.

Yes Posadas!
gatherings of friends and family to eat, and sing Christmas songs. Some do prayers. It goes along with Mary and Joseph looking for a refuge and a place to give birth to baby Jesus.
Some go to different houses for 12 days (i think), each singing songs and looking for "refuge" like Mary and Joseph did. Think warm drinks, good food, and being together. Each night a different home.


Now back to Frederik and Mary. Today was the last day for Frederik being regent, Joachim has taken over for the weekend.
I think the family is making its way down under. Safe travels to them and I hope they enjoy their first Christmas in Australia

[Sun Lion]

Originally Posted by polyesco

Now back to Frederik and Mary. Today was the last day for Frederik being regent, Joachim has taken over for the weekend.
I think the family is making its way down under. Safe travels to them and I hope they enjoy their first Christmas in Australia

I think as they cross the International Dateline the CP Family will lose a day - so if they fly out from Copenhagen on Saturday it will be Monday when they touch-down in Australia.

An advantage on their return trip is they then pick up a day going in the opposite direction - they could leave Oz on December 31st, and arrive back in Denmark on December 31st.

[Roskilde]

Sun Lion, it's a pleasure to read your information about Tasmania and Tasmanian traditions.
F&M has had a very busy autumn with many official events and I'm truly happy for them and all children to get these three weeks with their Australian family during the Christmas time. I wish them a very deserved Christmas holiday.
(But I'm also going to miss them Especially also beacuse we are used to see them out to official duties almost on a daily basis)

[Sun Lion]

Originally Posted by Roskilde

Sun Lion, it's a pleasure to read your information about Tasmania and Tasmanian traditions.
F&M has had a very busy autumn with many official events and I'm truly happy for them and all children to get these three weeks with their Australian family during the Christmas time. I wish them a very deserved Christmas holiday.
(But I'm also going to miss them Especially also beacuse we are used to see them out to official duties almost on a daily basis)

It's really been fun Roskilde - as I'm sure you and Muhler know from your own regular posts and updates here on the Danish thread about all the various activities and events the CP Couple and their children get up to in Denmark.

I wonder if we will see more of the family on this visit as the twins are not house-bound little babies anymore and may want/need to get outside to burn off some energy.

We've seen CP Mary at the Saturday Salamanca Market on the Hobart waterfront many times over the years, but I wonder if Mary has her own childhood memories of the "Cat and Fiddle Arcade" clock?

The smaller children are just the right age to enjoy this if they are in Hobart's CBD for any last minute Christmas shopping.

The whole arcade has been changed in recent years, but this clock - of the famous nursery rhyme - is something all Tasmanians have seen since it was put in place back in the 1960s.

(There used to be a "Cat and Fiddle" tavern and alleyway back in the old, old days of Hobart.)

Though the children of today have all manner of mavellous and entertaing stuff, this clock is still very dear to a lot of older Tasmanians, and maybe CP Mary too.

(There are now several youtubes of it in action on the internet.)

[Muhler]

Here you go, Sun Lion.

The Cat and Fiddle Arcade Clock - complete with the southern stars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy99lgxVFDs

[Sun Lion]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Here you go, Sun Lion.

The Cat and Fiddle Arcade Clock - complete with the southern stars.

Thanks for posting that Muhler - a real icon of Hobart.

(I'm assuming the nursery rhyme is known in Denmark.)

[Muhler]

You are welcome.

Nursery rhyme? If there is one about a cat and a fiddle (fiddle is fiol in DK BTW. Just a bit of info for the nerds) I don't know it. Or it has been forgotten over time. I assume it's pretty old.

As to what M&F may come up with of activities for their children:

Well, Bella and Christian, who are older and by now must be at least reasonable proficient in English, will of course be easier to keep busy.
They could easily be brought along to see a performance of some sort. Perhaps a dance show, Bella might like that.
Christian may take part in sport of some sort. Soccer springs to mind. Or try one of the local sports, predominantly those that are popular in Tasmania.

As for the younger children. A trip to the zoo must be considered a must to experience the local wildlife I'd say. I'm sure Vincent will feel an urge to shout at some animals after a couple of days in Tasmania.
A bit akin to when the cows come on grass here in DK.

Have you got some kind of family friendly events going on here in December the family can look at? - While entertaining the photographers just like at the Hubertus Hunt.

Are there some kind of semi-official events going on in this month where M&F and family can be invited as guests. - Because then we may get a show like in Greenland.

Or is there a boat they could name or ribbon they could cut? Then we could have a show like on Samsø.

Apart from that I'm sure we'll see the family out and about in Hobart. Bella is soon reaching the "shopping-age".

And I can well imagine the oldest doing something on their own with their Australian cousins.

[Sun Lion]

Skate-boarding is big in Tasmania Muhler.

Most towns and communities have an area of ramps and basins made out of concrete for their youngsters to zoom over on their boards - and bikes - and do their tricks and manouvers on.

This may be something the "cousins" could introduce Prince Christian too - if it's not a Danish thing.

The big yacht race "The Sydney to Hobart" takes off on Boxing Day and sails to the Hobart waterfront where there is then a big party atmosphere - something for Prince Frederik.

There are lots of native animal parks and centres so the children will have no problems feeding the wallabies etc.

They may make the trip down to Port Arthur to check out the convict settlement - and the nighttime ghost tours there are a big success.

That part of Tasmania has very interesting natural formations with a blow-hole, tessalated steps, a narrow isthmus called "Eagle Hawk Neck", a gorge called "The Devil's Kitchen" - plenty of places to explore on the way.

A lot of Tasmania is build on dolorite rock, and some companies now take people out to sea in that area past the various columns and rock formations - and there are seals.

Quite a few places have mazes now for children to run about and get lost - and it will be strawberry season so there are places to go, to pick your own for Christmas dessert.


Here are the words to "The Cat and the Fiddle". The tune playing as the cow and dog come out from the moon, and the dish and spoon from the double-bass, on the you-tube go with these -

"Hey Diddle Diddle, The Cat and the Fiddle,

The Cow Jumped Over the Moon.

The Little Dog Laughed to See Such Fun,

And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon".

[Muhler]

That sounds good for a little family.

Anything with wheels under the feet is popular here in DK! Not least among the boys. - I've bought half a pharmacy in plaster patching my son and his friends up afterwards though!

[Sun Lion]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Apart from that I'm sure we'll see the family out and about in Hobart. Bella is soon reaching the "shopping-age".

And I can well imagine the oldest doing something on their own with their Australian cousins.

If shopping is on the agenda, I hope someone tells them about "Reliquaire" in the little town of Latrobe in the north of Tassie. It has been described as the best shop in the world.

There is a youtube virtual tour on the internet, but this really isn't able to convey the wonder of this place and the things in it.

I know people who travel - even from the south - to look about in it over and over - once they know about it. One visit is not enough.

They're here!

In Western Australia - photo too of CP Mary in the queue at the Margaret River Chocolate Factory.

All the children - playing on the grass as their parents chatted with friends.

Bodyguards in casual clothes and sunnies.

The report says they were there for three-quarters of an hour - and I take it that it happened today, Sunday here in Australia.

CP Mary's brother is living in WA.

Sounds like CP Mary bought the "Rocky Road" chocolate. (That's pink and white marshmallows with coconut, all jumbled together and coated in milk or dark chocolate - if you haven't had it.)

[Rudolph]

WAtoday @WAtoday
Princess Mary apparently stops into Swan Valley chocolate shop, buys Rocky Road

Princess Mary and Prince Frederik of Denmark stop into Perth chocolate shop