Early August 2009 Update

1. The crew - Barbequing & eating & showers in Ertebolle Jutland. Denmark
2. Schwerinschloss - Northern Germany
3. Briar Mike's Bike tour - Copenhagen
4. Briar & MC at Grenen - Denmarks most northern point
5. Briar & MC at Frederiksborg Slot. Hillerad. Zeeland. Denmark
6. Briar on the Tree Tops gangways - Egeskov Slot - Kvaendrup- Denmark
7. Briar - A Rose amongst the Rose gardens - Egeskov Slot - Kvaendrup
8. Briar & Hugo - catchin the Ferry - Helsingor ( Denmark to Sweden)
9. Storebaeltbro Bridge - 11 km long - Between Funen & Zeeland island's - Denmark
10. The new Maersk Opera house - Copenhagen Denmark
11. MC biking in the Roseborg Slot gardens - Kobenhavn Denmark
12. Nyhavn Canal - Kobenhavn Denmark







Early August Update 2009

We must have struck one of Europe’s wettest summers on record – I was certainly thinking that as we awoke to yet another drab showery day in northern Europe – beginning to think it’s just following us around. It did clear for a bit as we paid the bill & serviced Hugo at the service camperstop at the campground before we left .
Northern bound again – couple sightseeing stops along the way.
First stop – Schwerin town next to another lake ( one thing Germany has got plenty of – lakes) Schwerinschloss is also a very busy tourist stop /attraction as we found out – couldn’t get a park for miles around – ended up drivin through the main drag of Schwerin in our endeavours to try to sneak a park somewhere- the rain also started to come down in buckets again – so we drove past the Schloss each way and I pulled up in a bustop bay so could get a couple snappies of the Schloss – quite impressive complete with moat – wooden drawbridge – also had huge gardens – built in the 17th century .
We headed outta town and stopped at another Wiligard Schloss and yes on its own lakefront – called you guessed it – Lake Wiligard –or as they call them here Wiligardsee. Quite an odd place with new bits added here and there I guess by different owners - took a couple snappies as we wandered around – the rain had stopped and the sun was now makin steam come off the ground and pavements.
We also had a bite here as the worms were drivin us crazy. Then on we drove up to a
Campground on the Baltic sea coast of northern Germany and in sunshine for the rest of the trip. Booked into Camping Zierow near Wismar town – very busy campground – lotsa families , managed to set up Hugo and have a cuppa before it started to drizzle again – it stayed that way until bedtime – off and on (least the camp had a very new and nice sanitation building) we were not far away either – a bonus on wet days & nights. Had cheap Wifi and needed to catch up on a bit of internet stuff – spent the evening doin the Wifi thing.
Suprisingly we woke to another drab and drizzly morning but high tailed it outta their with a plan of heading into Lubeck to check out an Irish pub maybe televising the All Black test – so after the usual 3 x S’s and brekkie on the road – bout 25 k’s to Lubeck – the sun even spasmodically shining through the clouds. We got to Lubeck – parked up and made a beeline staright for the pub – which bugger me dead – not only wasn’t showing the game – it wasn’t bloody open – a Saturday arvo and all . Bloody irish – no shouting at the TV screen for us this arvo- so we wandered about the streets of Lubeck which had a charming central plaza and the cute city gate called the Holstentor – on quite a bit of a lean. Stopped for a coffee and pastry and one of the numerous café stops along the Breite strasse. Again had to dodge another shower before heading another 20 k’s or so north of Kiel – hours drive or so – thought we’d stay at a Campervan Aire De stationment for a change – only $12.00 euros for the night and it had loos/ showers with hot water. Very picturesque little village right on the beach – 200 metres walk . Place was fairly packed when we pulled in with a couple vans in front and several behind – 50 spots and about an half an hour after we arrived it was full to the brim. A very helpful german lass helped us out with the auto-ticket/gate machine, her pommie hubby had told her to come and help us so I found out later after havin a chat to him.
It was quite a change to stay in a Campervan station for a change – you’re usually parked a meter or two only away from the next van - there are also many different nationalities represented at these stops sometimes – however one good thing at these places are most people very forthcoming/obliging and very helpful – there are also few kids around as well.
Did go for a wander down to the beach – good to feel sand and fine sand at that amongst ya toes again. Fairly windy and choppy seas further out – 14 ships of varying sizes, most stopped and anchored by the looks. This was still the Baltic so perhaps they were dodging rough seas somewhere. The sun was at least still shining with clouds racing across the horizon. We both enjoyed an Anti-pasto for a change ( hadn’t had one for a week or two- sacrilege) of course washed down with the roht-vein. No barbi tontie either. Still it was nice to sleep with the smell and sound of the sea in the backround.
The following morning we awoke to a clear blue sky – we also were probably the first awake a the camperstop – as Briar obviously couldn’t sleep – so we were up at sparrows fart. Early morning stroll along the beach again and went around the corner to the lighthouse – huge old trees filled with thousands of Starlings chirpin their heads off. Stopped off at the local supermarkt shop – grabbed some brot buns and some meat for dinner and on our way again – following the coast road up towards Denmark – decided to try one more Campervan stop near the border – At Maarsholm – also on the Baltic sea side.
Driving along the coast road – which was really about 2k’s away from the coast itself – hardcase you have roads that go off down to the beach only and then ya have to pay for parking in the assigned parking areas(that are a good walk to the waters edge). Dived down a couple to have a nosy – had to wait in Kappelin for the bridge to come down – timed it right – so could stop and watch the yachts going in and outta the harbour – also must have had a flea market going on in the harbour part – lotsa stalls/tents/marquees and hundreds of people about. Very busy little harbour today – we shot further around the harbour to find somewhere to stop for lunch – eventually found a spot and munched away on fresh filled brot buns – yum.
Then headed out to Maarsholm – which also had a search/rescue awareness & fundraising day going on – so it was also very busy with people everywhere- still the campervan stop looked OK – once again with a good/new sanitation building. Found a spot for Hugo – set up – only 3 amps here but – no electric boiling jug here dear.
Still had a cuppa anyhows and then went for a wander around the small sought of island we were on – a stroll through the town and also checked out the Search & rescue event – equipment displays – rides on the search & rescue boats- food stalls etc.etc much the same like we do in NZ. Also had a wander down at the marina – rows and rows of yachts – very big by the looks in this neck of the woods. Did a bit of chilling inda camper before heading down to the beach to have a barbi whilst the sun was shining and we could admire the view whilst wining and dining– we weren’t the only ones – in fact we got the last picnic table available – wunderbar evening for our last in Germany for awhile. The pink skies must surely mean goot wetter for morgen.
Very good campervan stop for $11.00 euros for the night– will recommend for sure.
Obvioulsy pink skies over here count for f..k all – the drizzle and drab grey sky had returned with vengeance and we left Germania under big black clouds much the same way it was back in 1945. We did stop for a grocery stock before we crossed the border- as we knew it would be more expensive on the other side.
We crossed the border again with no fuss – no border security – only a sign saying Vilkomen to Danemark – Countryside still much the same as in these flatlands experienced so far – more fields and fields of wheat/barley/rapseed and maize spasmodically broken with clusters and rows of trees.
Denmark only has a few major motorways compared to most of Europa so far (…and way less cars on the roads). We did however take mostly secondary roads to our next destination – Ribe – supposedly Denmarks oldest village.
The secondary roads much quieter than used to experiencing – nice for a change – most of the villages also off the main roads – so hardly drove through many – Jutland, they call the wild land of Denmark – not even – they haven’t seen the west coast of fiordland or the Urewera’s have they.
Found Ribe without to much fuss – little drizzle as we parked up near the centrum for a quick peekaboo and a much needed cash stop – as Denmark is not part of the Euro zone – have their own currency – Danish Krona.
About 7.5 krona to a euro we worked out . Had an impressive domkirke (church in Denmark) in the centrum and it wasn’t bloody Catholic either. After a quick gander about we headed to our campground which was only a couple k’s away on the otherside of town – so made a beeline for there. Looked like an easy bike ride into town – so booked in for a couple nights – weather tmoro supposed to be goot.
Had a wander about the campground – checked out where everything was – big campground.
Excellent campground with 4 star + facilities – even had private bathrooms if ya wanted – had an excellent kitchen/dining/TV room and an excellent outdoor BBQ/dining room – swimming pool – well stocked shop/bar/snack bar.
Kitchen and barbi facility all libre/gratis so of course we gonna use it – roast tatties and veggies on the menu tonite – along with a good piece of rheinfleisch ( steak in other words). These northern countries certainly know how to look after there paying camping customers well – a lot different to the Mediterranean countries.
Had wifi – so both did a bit of wifi-ing. The kitchen and barbi facilities were well patronised which was not surprised at all – so we got to cook and eat our dinner around 10.00pm after the majority had packed up and gone. Ate our steak and roast tatties whilst watchin some English speaking TV programme with Danish in subtitles – hardcase.
The rain had also returned in bucket fulls. After dishes & showers – into bed around midnight.
Both slept in late, - surfaced around 9.30-9.45am – huge sleep in for me. Musta needed it. – But the sun was shining and very few clouds about – so after showers and brekkie we hightailed into town on our bikes – bout 15 min. cycle – easy peasy.
Decided to check out the local Kunstmuseum – history about the town/ Vikings/ early Danish life and the local region and its role in the formation of Denmark as it is today.
Hour and a half of wandering through the museum – we back on the bikes and headed into the main plad . Had a nice pedestrian street – which we wandered up and down on – before heading to the local supermarkt shop to check out food pricing in Denmark.
After wandering through about the same as France & Switzerland, yes expensive – good thing we stocked the cupboards and boot with essentials ( red wine and chocolate predominately). Spent the arvo chilling – bit more wifi stuff before using the campground barbi/grill house for barbequeing our chops for tea. We also ate in the grillhouse – have tables precisely for it, great campground. After a leisurely meal and dishes – showers and a Dvd before bed. The cloud was back the following morning in patches – some blue sky but predominately cloud – after the usual morning routine and packing up Hugo for travel we headed outta Ribe – northward bound – Briars turn to drive today – destination Ertebolle near Faros – on the edge of the Limfordjen ( inner sea) with a detour through Billund and Legoland (amusement park – lotsa of it made out of you guessed it Lego- even has its own LegoHotel – averages 5000 adults/kids per day per annum. We drove around it once we got their late morning – queues at the gates – took some snappies of the Hotel/ Entrance gates etc. then onward we went – stopped at a parking/rest stop bay of the highway near Viborg for some lunch.
The cloud had now taken over the sky completely some wind to turn the numerous new power windmills we passed – no rain though. After the worms were fed we carried on to our stop Ertebolle Campground and when we arrived the sky had cleared a little – enough once we had found our pitch and set up Hugo to go for a walk along the shore of the Limfordjen – its like a huge sea lake with an opening about 70 km’s away from where we were walking but still salt water – sea weed and crabs – good wander about – even back thru the tiny hamlet of Ertebolle – even checked out a new build house nearly complete – back to Hugo before the drizzle came – we did however still manage to barbi and eat outside – have photo to prove it – holding umbrellas and eating in the drizzle – crazy kiwis I know.
They had cooking facilites which were no where near as new or as good as our last camp but were there.
After dishes/ showers/ a Dvd we drifted of to sleep with the gentle patter of drizzle playing tunes on Hugo’s roof. Awoke to pretty much the same as we went to bed with weather wise, cloudy and drizzly – still after showers and brekkie – once again hit the trail – destination northernmost tip of Denmark Grenen once again with a detour through Hirtshals a port town on the Northern sea coast side. The weather as we drove north also cleared a bit with patches of sun – but still showery.
Once again the countryside spattered with new power windmills – and still predominately flatish with the fields of maize/barley and wheat. We arrived in Hirtshals did a drive through the port and town areas and then headed out to the lighthouse or Fyr as they are called here. Rather significant Fyr- which also happened to be a ex-german defence point in Hitlers – North Atlantic sea coast defence – and the very most northern point – even Field Marshall Rommel who was in charge of the defences along the coast had visited this town and gun battery . So as you would expect a maze of bunkers for sleeping quarters / gun bunkers of all types – ammo bunkers – kitchen/mess bunkers – majority were still intact and a couple even had the the bunks/old stoves and numerous items still preserved from the days they were inhabited. Had a good look around before we headed back down to the port area where we stopped for a bite – did a quick shop at the local supermarket – before hitting the trail up to Skagen a town at the bottom of the sand bar to Grenen and the very northern tip of Denmark – Arrived at Grenen mid-arvo the sun had decided to come out and the wind decided to blow like a bastard- didn’t deter us or several hundred other tourists – doing the pilgrimage out to the very tip where the two seas meet – you can walk it ( 20-25mins) or you can be lazy and take the tractor bus out to the tip- being budget minded tourists we walked – but couldn’t make it out to the very tip without getting our feet wet and we both had trainers on. Got some good piccies – noticed lotsa ships parked up on the eastern – Baltic sea side – perhaps to rough on the North sea side. Was very windy and choppy seas on the north sea side.
Glad we had paid for a parking ticket as a parking warden was nosing around the campervans on our return to the carpark. Did a slow drive back through Skagen ( touristy and smelt like dead, rotting seaweed – terrible) don’t the touro’s notice it – checked into our campground – right on the Baltic sea coast about 20 k’s south of Skagen – set up and went for a walk along the beach – had to stop and seek shelter at one of the sanitation buildings on our way back to Hugo – as it fairly pissed down for a good half hour – didn’t have our umbrellas with us unfortunately. The showery weather hung around for most of the night – the odd break – long enough for us to head to the camp kitchen and utilise their kitchen for cooking our dinner – good old fashioned spaghetti bolognese tonite – had interesting chats to a german chap and a couple of Danish blokes – one who had been to NZ just this last February – loved it.
We told him Denmark was about the closest apart from Switzerland to feeling like home for us. The usual 4 x D’s (dinner/dishes/Duchas(shower) & Dvd) bedtime.
The following morning the weather had cleared somewhat – still very windy with clouds whipping across the sky but at least the sun was shining . Southbound this time through the town of Frederikshavn – drove around the cobbled streets havin a drive through nosy- then on towards Allborg – didn’t stop here either – just another drive through – then on down to Randers – where we did stop and do a shop for a few supplies – had some lunch next to some domed museum. We had a few hours to kill before our next designated campstop for the night – so we headed into Lisberg where we found several furniture showrooms including Ikea – so Briar could wet her appetite for Danish designed furniture – one of the reasons for coming this far north to Scandanavia.
After an hour or two perusing over sleek and beautifully crafted Danish furniture and household accessories we ventured a few k’s up the road to our next campstop – OK stop – had a pool and usable cooking facilities – but rather antiquated sanitary facilities. There was a factory across the road billowing out smoke the whole time we were there – even during the night- not the clean green Danish thing that’s for sure. The usual 4 x D’s – nothing special – into bed – woke to a superb morning – excellent for checking out Arhus this morning – we were only about 20 k’s out. So after 3 x S’s and checkin outta Aarhus camping in Lisberg we made a beeline for the dockyards of Arhus – where we found a park close to the central city no worries – good on yer My Delilah (tomtom) . We spent a few hours wandering the streets of Arhus – checked out the Domkirke which pretty much dominated Arhus’s skyline – very much a University city – passed the local campus on our way in – very new red bricked complex – in fact red brick is the preffered and predominate choice of exterior lining to most houses/apartments buildings and generally most buildings we’ve seen up here in Denmark – there are other exterior linings of course – but red brick seems to be the dominate one.
Pretty city with both old and new parts to it – big canal right through the guts of the city – no markets this morning being a Saturday morning – a few flower stalls by the domkirke and central pladtz . very busy along one pedestrian street – where all the shops and sales were on.
Stopped and had some Chinese buffet for lunch for a change – 70 Danish krona ($10.00 euros.) both went back for seconds – Chinese in Europe is a bit of a rarity and treat for us. But at that cheap price to a good an opportunity to pass up. By the way it was as good as home in a NZ buffet.
So after a decent squiz around and the worms having been well looked after, back to Hugo and we hightailed outta there – changing islands today – Funen - have to cross a smaller bridge in comparison to the massive bridges Denmark have. Headed to our campground on the northern coast of Funen – near the town of Veijby Fed – did a quick grocery stop on the way then booked into the camp. Impressive four star campground – very family orientated as most Denmark campgrounds are it seems.
Did a quick wash down of Hugo’s front and windscreen – bloodspots everywhere from insects on the road – really attracts bloodthirsty wasps who hang around the camper – so by washing what we could off – equates to less wasps hanging around hopefully.
The sun was shining so decided to have a walk down at the strand (beach) – a few people swimming – a couple fizz boats – skiers – and a catamaran trying to skip along with very little breeze behind it. Very picturesque – a bit like Orewa beach – with beachfront baches right on the beach. Fired up the Barbie tonite – could smell and see others doin it – so must be OK. Nice temps to sit out and enjoy dinner and a vino. Had free wifi at the camp – so after dinner/ dishes and duchas – both did some wifiing for the rest of the evening. Woke to a not so great morning – not raining but very minimal blue sky in the distance – 3 x S’s packed up Hugo and we off again – heading to Egeskov slot(castle) today near the town of Kvaendrup – had read about it from some brochures we picked up in a info centre. Had museum’s and all sorts – looked like a good place to check out – so we did.
Arrived around lunchtime – so had a quick bite before entering the complex or estate I should say. Lotsa people and cars in the carpark – people carrying picnic baskets and trolley’s of stuff into the grounds as well. Payed our deneiro, in we went – firstly checked out the gardens – was a trail you could follow from the brochure one received upon entering. Beautifully manicured gardens of course – had a full vegetable/herb area – even had cute little bushes in the shape of basil brushes or squirrels for the younger readers. Intricate patterned hedges in regal shapes only about a foot of the ground – which of course complete with fountain and a path leading to a bridge which crossed the moat/pond to the castle. Supposedly one of the better preserved slots in Denmark if not Europe- because of its beautifully preserved timber pile foundations which support this 5 storey slot . The water level of the moat must be kept up to a certain level to allow no air to reach the timber foundations, hence stopping the decay of the timber. Amazing foresight from the original builders back in the early 1800’s. The slot itself looked resplendent in its environment and congrats to its current and earlier counts and countesses for keeping the complex up to scratch continually for people like me to enjoy. Spent a good few hours wandering around the estate and numerous museums ( vintage cars and bikes) also vintage horse drawn carriages and olde style workshops etc. even had a tree top gantry path which a nervous Briar and I both tackled and conquered. Had a huge childrens playgroundand picnic area – and lotsa families havin picnic lunches dotted about the whole estate – cool stuff . Scored a waffle coned ice-cream on the way out – yummo. Back to Hugo and hit the trail again bound for a camp just off the highway near Roskilde.
Hard case camp ground – quiet in the sense of the number of campers in the campground and cabins – but as we were near a motorway junction the road noise levels were something else. – not as bad as our campground near Reggio Emilia in Italy though. We set Hugo up and as we arrived around 6.00pm we did a quick tour of the facilities.
Had an old hut style camp kitchen/diner come TV room –the type I remember on school camp treks as a kid in NZ, (felt like home to those of us still taking school camps to interesting places!) So we made ourselves at home had a big TV with cable TV channels – so as we drank our wine – had anti-pasto we watched some UK programmes – some weightwatchers program/ some BBC world/ some London Streetkids doco and to round it off whilst we ate dinner none other than that swearing pommie Gordon Ramsey in the USA – revisiting restaurants he had helped save from going under – was on telly back home last year – remember it well and also two of the restaurants he had helped and were both now very successful on his return.
One of the great things up here in Scandanavia weve found is that most of the camps have fairly good cooking facilities (normal for us in NZ – really not the norm here in Europe at all except this far north) – allowing us to save our precious propane gas supplies in Hugo (for the eastern block and frankly…the rest of the trip!) – for when we will need to use it. After 4 x D’s both hit the hay – I slept like a log and Briar rustled about all-night from the highway noise – so not so happy Briar next morning, but as she does, put on her usual cheerful/brave face for the day and even dorve into Copenhagen as we only had a 45 km drive to our next campstop their. Ishoj Strand Camping – had a good sized Shopping centre and train station within 10 minutes walk from the camp. Sweet.
The rain as it had done most of the morning started to pee down heavily again – so we stopped off at the shopping centre firstly to get some much needed funds from the bankautomat machine then onto the info. centre. A very good one for an outta city suburb and some groceries from our first ever visited Bilka store – much in the same vain as the big Carrefours & Eroski Hypermarket stores we encountered through Spain/Portugal and France. Had a Danish chap at the info. centre who spoke english very well and gave us all the guff on Copnhagen. Purchased a two-day train pass – so with Wallet full and the fridge full again we booked into our campground – obviously a stop-over for many campervanners like us – as their were a quite few around the campground.
The rain had stopped momentarily – so stay indoors type of arvo – caught up a bit on the Blog update and watched Dvd whilst Briar read a novel. Made meat patties with homemade gravy, spuds & fresh beans for a change over in the camp kitchen/diner which had a TV again which we domineered well I did – hey we were the first there and it wasn’t like I was watchin the Cartoon Network channel – BBC world news
We timed our prep & cooking perfectly as we were just finished cooking when the place all of a sudden got packed – also a lot of tenters here as well – A building becomes a welcome relief from the relentless noise of rain hittin ya tent I spose.
Who cared if any of them couldn’t speak English – I had the remote and that was that buddy. We managed to muscle our way in to the kitchen to do the dishes and then left them all to jostle amongst themselves for space in the kitchen and dining room. Some very boisterous surf lifesavers both male and female sought of took over the kitchen leavin little space or cooking elements for anyone else to use. (found out the next night I was over doing dishes that the surf lifersavers have an NZ rib boat that they love and respect!) Small world huh?...and it isn’t surf they work in…)After dodging raindrops on the way back to Hugo – we both headed for the showers – no coins or tokens needed – yeaayy.- just keep pushin the button. After showers and a cuppa – mapped out our plan of action for the morro and settled in with Dvd and novel for the night.
Woke to a much better morning looked like it was gonna be an allright day for doin the city visit thing – lotsa patches blue sky and sunlight – molto buono.
3 x S’s / brekkie and we were walking down to catch the 10.30am train into Copenhagen . It arrived on time as it should and no doubt as it does all the time – there are trains every 30 mins. throughout the day. Noticed the housing on the twenty minute train trip into the centro. very similar to outer suburbs in the nicer parts of Auckland. Lotsa ¼ acre pavlova paradise’s. Even the styles of housing similar – of course also many apartment complex’s also. Also a couple of massive power stations very close in the city – both thought that amazing to be so close. The sun had just about burnt of all the cloud now so it was becoming a beuat day.
First stop was to check out where to catch the Mike’s Bike tour for the following day – we so enjoyed the last one in Berlin – we decided to do another here in Copenhagen – the city of bikers – ( 1.5 million people & 2.5 million bikes in Copnehagen) and around five hundred get stolen every day. Bikers everywhere – so as a pedestrian you certainly have to have your wits about you around the streets. Found our bike tour spot OK- all good for tmoro – we then headed for the Danish Design Centre appropriately named DAC – had to circumnavigate around Tivoli gardens and Amusement park – much the same as Rainbows End in Auckland (but established in the 17 somethings…)– but four times as big and smack in the middle of town across the road from the central train station – so access to it easy for all.
The DAC had a lighting exhibit on – but sadly not much else for Briar (challenging the future use of lighting and electricity though, as well as light influencing behaviour so interesting stuff)– we then headed across the main canal to the Danish Architecture museum – which had an exhibit also on – Norman Foster (Pom) who designed the Reichstag in Berlin which we had visited amongst many other equally spectacular projects – completed – being built or still in the design process – evigorating stuff for me – even Briar showed some interest here.
She had sore legs so went up to the café for a coffee and a sit – which left me in the bookshop part of the museum – one of the more comprehensive I have ever in my life walked into – absolutely amazing – could have spent a day or two in their and could also have spent a small fortune on books and mags. But unfortunately when one is campervanning it is only the basic essentials one is privilegd to carry about Europe.
Joined Briar (I had found a secret little paradise…) for another coffee up on the third floor with a cantilevered little glass alcove overlooking the main canal – nice – watchin barge loads of tourists passing by – we were gonna be one of them before the days out.
After our brief stop on we marched again firstly to Vor Freslers Kirke – a church with an outside spiral staircase that weaves its way around the spire to nothing – supposed to get unreal views of Copenhagen skyline – Briar not game and 430 steps put me off also. Then headed to Christianborg Island zone – the parliamentary HQ and financial powerhouse of Denmark. Stopped by a fountain and a statue of a very famous Danish philosopher in a park in the middle of it all and had our premade rolls for lunch. Nice quiet relaxing place to chill out from the humdrum of the citybeat. Half an hour or so later we hit the trail again wandering passed the Old Stock Exchange, Kobenhavn Radhus/ the Black Diamond building – modern cutting edge building. We then headed up to the old part of Nyhavn where a canal comes of the main canal and where in days gone by in the 18th century was the vibe of Kobenhavn – even Hans Christian Andersen lived in a tiny 3rd storey flat overlooking Nyhavn canal – the sail ships used to tie up here also.
This was also in modern times where the canal cruises left from – we caught one which seemed to be a bit less crowded than earlier boats we ha spotted during the day.
The later afternoon was also turning out spot on for canal cruising – warm & calm.
Around an hour and a half cruising through the canals – always a great way to see a place and not so hard on the legs/back and muscles, ay. Cruised past some more modernist buildings along the main canal / the Royal palace / the infamous Little mermaid statue / and through the old docks and Christiansen areas of Kobenhavn. Both enjoyed that – also gave us a better insight into not only the history but the layout of the city a little better. Briar enjoying Copenhagen a lot more than Amsterdam I think. We then wandered through the shopping /pedestrian zone back to the train station passed all the designer stores – which were now closing being around 5.30pm –stopped for a few minutes to watch a street magician then caught the train back out to Ishoj – 10 minute stroll back to the camp – definitely barbi tonite with the weather being so nice – chilled with the usual rudimentary vino in tow and enjoyed a nice steak – even managed to do the dishes later with no one else in the kitchen – like us everyone outside enjoying the balmy evening – did head down to the main reception building to do some wifiing as we are constantly in contact with Heather Brown who has kindly donated her time and efforts into soughting out the old and finding new tenants for our home at 20 Kahira, as our tenants Warwick & Lorraine have found a more suitable long term tenancy – good luck to them. By time finished – and back to Hugo – about 11.30pm so a quick cuppa and bed – big bike tour day tmoro.
Woke to a superb morning – not a cloud in the sky – I think a first for us up here in Scandanavia – so after the 3 x S’s and a healthy carbo packed brekkie – we were on the 9.00am train this morning. Pulled into the Kobenhavncentral about 9.30pm – so strolled about for 20 minutes or so before soughting out a couple bikes for Mike’s Bike tour – OK bikes not the same and no way as good as the Berlin tour bikes – all the same they will have to do – we could also have them all day as opposed to just the tour.
Around 11.00am we all met Mike – around ten of us – good sized group – from all parts of the globe of course – interesting the people you meet on these tours. After all of us introducing ourselves to the group we hit the trail after a prep talk from Mike about the regs/rules and the tour . – even Mike said that this was as good as it gets weather wise in Copenhagen – unbelievably it rains 275 days of the year on average in Kobenhavn– not today though – not a rain cloud insight.
Well certainly not quite like the relaxed pace of the Berlin bike tour – you kept up or got left behind not even time for a snappie or two. We had around 8 or so assigned stops – each with a spiel from Mike – a historical insight into the past/present of the buidings/monuments/statues/areas etc.etc. along with Mikes own accounts & amusing little quirks and tales . Nearly four hours of exploring the streets / vibes / beat and innuendo’s of Kobenhavn we finished in the Christinasen Commune area where the
nucleus of the druggies hang out – which is also constantly raided so Mike told us.
After bidding adieu to most – we went our separate ways – several of us stopped for a bite (known in Denmark as an Open-sandwich) at a recommended café by Mike – so we joined an Irish chap named Mark also and his Croatian girlfriend who both lived in Canada and were here for a couple weeks in Scandanavia and a English chap from Bath who was living and teaching in a French school but was on school holidays of course and had been over for the weekend to see the Goteborg(Sweden) U2 concert and had shot across to Kobenhavn for a few days of sighseeing and us couple kiwis.
So sat and ate open sandwiches and chewed the fat – great to be able to sit down at a table with strangers and be able to enjoy each others company over a meal.
An hour or so later we did all part and bid adieu’s and bon journee’s to each other. We made a beeline for the Roseborg Slot and Gardens – then onto the Rundetarn which we walked up to the top to get a view over Kobenhavn’s skyline and finally Thordvalsens museum of statues ( stat-u-bros ) on Christianborg island. Thordvalsen himself was Denmarks most famous sculptor an also well known throughout Europe in the late 18th century– this museum which he donated to Kobenhavn city had mostly works and sculptures he had created – a few rooms of paintings – the room with Jesus Christ and the twelve Apostles was pretty awesome – after a flying visit through the museum back to the cycle centre to drop off the bikes walked to the train station and jumped on our train almost immediately. Another fantastique sightseeing day in Kobenhavn.
No barbi tonite – used the rest of our mince with patties for hamburgers tonite. We did have the kitchen and dining room/TV to ourselves – bonus a couple dishwashers about it. Both had wifiing stuff again to do – so dishes/showers then headed over to the reception building again – good strong wifi signal here. Did our stuff – finished abit earlier tonite – looks like good news about 20 Kahira – Heather has found a suitable tenant by the looks interested in movin straight away – meeting them this weekend – fingers crossed- onya girl. Did watch a Dvd before hittin the hay .
Yes , again we woke to another splendid morning – a few clouds about – had a bit of sleep in this morning – feelin it after our big bike tour of yesterday – burnt a few calories. Packed up Hugo and hit the trail north of Kobenhavn – towards Frederikshavn where another famous slot with a moat and awesome gardens around it.
It was also Frederik the 4th’s summer palace hence the name – Frederikshavn Slot.
Had a good mosy about the exterior and the beautifully manicured gardens – complete with own lake – chapel and guesthouse in the grounds. Indulgence to the max. Once again – on them , certainly makes it great for tourists like us to visit. Also did a drive by Frendensborg slot as well – not as impressive as Frederikshavn.
Our designated campground very close to the ferry in Helsingborg was full so we carried on further north around the coast past Holbaek to a nice four star camp Dronnigen. A very nice camp with excellent facilities which equally equated to the bill the next day when we checked out – still the warm and balmy weather – we made a beeline for the strand (beach) where even Briar dipped more than her feet in. The strand was chocka as one would expect on the last week officially of school holidays – families and kids out enjoying the sun and the sea ( can’t say surf -cause they don’t have any ) spent a few hours relaxing / reading and working on our tans – both showered back at camp – fired up the barbi – and chilled for the evening eating/drinking & listening to Duffy and Gabriella Chilmi. Lifestyles of the average and not so famous huh. We both had an interrupted sleep – due to a couple of loudmouthed giggly girls carrying on most of the night and early morning as well. Rather surprised not to spot remnants of her body lying about somewhere as we checked out the next morning – which happened to be another glorious Scandanavian day .
After the usual morning routine we packed up and checked out of Dronnigen and headed back down the coast to Helinsborg – where we had a little fun trying to locate the ferry terminal – which we found after a few missed turns. Paid our $250 krona and sat in the queue with several other campervans and cars ready to be ushered onto the ferry . Took a piccie of Hugo with Briar in the drivers seat while we waited. On yer girl. (Alternate each day with the driving so we get a rest, but also have a chance each to get a good look around at the scenery…and very occasionally for me …some zzzz’s if it is raining and boring motorway!!!Ouch!) Very fast turnaround ferries – 7/8 minutes later we were on board and heading up the top to check out the view as we headed across another border into our 16th country . A quick 20 minute ferry ride that coast a third of going over the connecting bridge n tunnel arrangement down in Copenhagen.
Adieu Denmark – Hej Sweden
So, will catch ya’s all again in soon in the next update
Ciao for now.