Our Scandinavian TripOur Scandinavian Trip
Mike and Lesley are members of LostRiders Centre 9
of the UK Virago Star Club in the East Midlands.
It seemed like a good idea at the time nip over to the Denmark
International Rally and we will have been to all the rallies this year barring
the Knotties which had yet to come. But its quite an expensive trip for just a
weekend. So why not make it our summer holiday and go a slightly different
route. I know lets go to the rally via Norway!
Then comes that classic
conversation “Is it far ?” with the reply “well not
really!” After a bit of planning , booking hotels in Copenhagen and Oslo
plus some worthwhile internet / telephone chats with Jan one of the Danish
rally organisers together with taking advantage again of the best ferry
discount available - the YHA membership , the hol soon came round.
We
decided to go from Newcastle over to Norway ,round coast into Sweden ,down to
Denmark for the Rally and back to Harwich using DFDS ferries. Our accommodation
could be anything from Youth Hostels ( No we are not too old!) to tents to
Hotels etc.
The trip.
Leaving fairly early we set off for Newcastle in glorious sunshine
joining the lorry procession on the A1.
Reaching Newcastle in 4 1/2 hours
it was getting rather hot so looking for shade we ended up at the Fish Docks at
North Shields near where the ferries leave. Not as bad as it sounds - getting
quite trendy with brilliant chippies and stottie cake (shame there was no pease
puddin !)
Soon onto the ferry where before they let us on they wanted to
know if we were carrying any firearms , did we look that dangerous!
Mike
wasn’t looking forward to the usual origami process of tying the bikes
down. As it happens it was ratchet straps which meant nothing to Mike.
Luckily a friendly Norwegian called Fred came to our rescue and explained
how they worked - quite simple even for Mike, though Fred did help in the heat
inside the ship.
Fred had been to see his brother in Preston on a Kawasaki
Drifter with matching sidecar.
Nice ship The Princess of Scandinavia with
sundecks and swimming pool.
Brilliant beer and watch the sunset over a
North Sea which was as calm as a mill pond. Afterward down to the duty free to
stock up ( Norway not in EC) with booze for the trip as we had been warned
against the high prices. Rather surprised to see some rather long salamis for
sale in duty free.
Up at 7.00 for breakfast as we sailed past the coast
of Southern Norway on the way to Kristiansand .
The ferry was then carrying
on to Gothenberg in Sweden.
Fred showed us the way out of the port after we
had unstrapped our bikes - one day it will be easy to get off a ferry and leave
the town we haven’t met one yet!
Onto the main route north to Oslo E18
and immediately we were passing over splendid bridges with excellent views
across the many skerries along the coast. The sun was out and the sky was a
brilliant blue.
Every now and then we would see jet black marble like lakes
thought the trees. Excellent white granite road with little traffic.
Lots of
‘Beware of the moose ‘signs but didn’t see one in the flesh
though knowing how big they are perhaps a good thing.
Stopped off at a
typical Norwegian lay-by for a brew - tables,seats, loo and a lovely view.
Off via Grimstad, Arendal , and on to KragerØ where we found our
first hut or HUTTE! to stay in for a night at WassjØ.
Rather like a
shed panelled inside with pine with veranda outside plus some basic mod cons.
Use your own sleeping bag.
The weather was so warm we went down for a dip
in the lake next to the hutte for a cooling swim,very refreshing . That night
we went down into Kragero via Helle on the 1100 and found a Norwegian Chinese
restaurant over looking the harbour bay which stretched out to the islands
opposite.
We sat outside on the balcony over the sea. Lots of boats of all
types coming and going or in the case of one young lady whilst she tried to
start the outboard motor just drifting.
It seemed like we were in Venice.
Excellent food and beer and no more than you would pay back in UK.
Up to another clear blue sky after a goodnights sleep
in the hutte.
Decided to stay one more night so that we could go off and
explore the area inland from the coast. Explore we did - too much as we left at
10am and got back at 8pm. But what scenery and no traffic, the first car we saw
was after 60 miles .
There are so few roads that any circular tour becomes a
big circle. Excellent roads and incredible views we could have been in the
Rockies. Our route took us through Troll or in my mind Hobbit
country.Drangedal,Bostrak,Steane,Vradal,Norgedal,Dalen,Amot,Rjukan,Orvella ,
Notodden, Ulefoss, Skien , Posgrun and back to Wassjo.
We saw the most
beautiful views over still lakes - mirror images and so quiet just our exhaust
clicking with heat. Big mountains , steep roads great fun. Snow in the distance
could be seen as we went over tundra like terrain. Great biking country.
We
even saw a heavy water plant not that means much to us at Rjukan and a huge
waterfall coming off the mountain. On the way round we passed through lots of
tunnels as we went alongside Lake Tinnsjo ( 45 kms long !) some of which were
over several miles long .
Very eerie at times as there was no other traffic
and the lighting was a bit dim ( Wearing sunglasses doesn’t help though!)
. One tunnel after being 2 miles long went straight out onto a suspension
bridge across a bay with an incredible view and then straight into another
tunnel on the other side.
Mike may now have learnt his lesson about always
wanting to go round in a circle. Though saying that the trip was incredible.
The VATs back at the hutte were most welcome and were livened up by
Lesley’s chair collapsing under her. A few running repairs and back to
normal.
Lovely sunny start for the ride up the E18 to
Oslo.Just before we joined the main road an Eagle! flew out in front of us
looking Mike straight in the eye- a beautiful sight. Again another great road
with tunnels , suspension bridges, fantastic views and little traffic.
Though this was soon to end as we got nearer to Oslo. All the way into Oslo
we came across tollroads and guess what FREE for Motorbikes YES free Department
of Transport to take note.
We managed to get straight to our Hotel at Aker
Brygge near the harbour in a new trendy area with its own Imax cinema , trendy
SHOPPING and loads of bars and eateries. Such a change from the silence of the
previous night to the hustle of the city.
Parking for the bikes under the
Hotel but at £20 per night! Meal at Mauds ( name of Queen of Norway)
where Mike had Rudolph steak and Halibut fish for Lesley. In front of us lots
was happening by the harbour area - Bungee springing ,rock & roll dancing,
human statues, Escapologist and Viking boats. On the way back to the hotel
there was a huge Firework display apparently for the premiere of a movie.
Tip - get an Oslo card you get free travel on the bus,tube,tram and free
entry to the many museums sights and exhibitions etc. Even covered a trip
across the bay to the Viking , Kon Tiki and Polar Museums. Mike thought a trip
on the tram would be fun except when we had to get off in the middle of nowhere
and wonder how we were going to get back!
Great Norwegian breakfast umpteen cheeses meatballs and lucious jam
and then off on the tram to the Vigeland Park which contains the most
incredible human granite statues we have ever seen made by yes you guessed
Vigeland. Well worth a visit.
From the Park we travelled by tram.tube and
tram up to the top of the mountain overlooking Oslo where the Oslo National Ski
jump is sited . Well my hat goes off to Eddie the Eagle as the view down the
jump from the top is well frightening and causes parts of the body to do
strange things. It might not be so bad if the Norwegians hadn’t thought of
sticking it on top of a mountain as well!
The local TV channel had flooded
the landing area of the jump so that hey could film a regular Its A KnockOut /
Stars in their Eyes type prog - apparently a top show for Norwegians. Back to
the centre of Oslo and over to the Norwegian Royal Palace though unlike the
Mall in London , motor bikes ala Matlock Bath were parked up all along the road
including several Viragos and Wildstars.
The palace looked like Buck House
but with no railings so we could stand in the middle of the oddly dressed
soldiers changing guard ( they had tufted bowler hats blue jacket and black
trousers ! not a good fashion statement according to Lesley).
Back to the
Hotel for the evenings entertainment - a trip to the IMAX cinema for an
incredible film all about extreme sports . Try the National Film &
Photography Museum at Bradford for the nearest English IMAX - literally a 5
floor height screen - stunning films followed by a good curry! Though in Oslo
we had to settle for a Burger King - a Whopper Meany .
Off to Sweden along a rather boring road to the area
of Sweden known as Bohusslan near FjallBacka but not very biker friendly or
pleasant . Special thanks to the friendly Swede who told us to go away as he
was saving the site for his friends! Onto Lysekil and found a campsite at
Hamburgsand to try a night under canvass . Guess what down came the rain and
turning a bit chilly.
Woke to the sound of rain .So off to the site shop to
look at the newspaper - literally as we don’t speak Swedish but can
understand Sun and rain symbols on the weather map on the back of the Swedish
Daily Mirror. Go south it said so we did!
First a quick call to find a
Hutte - blow the tent for a while. Yes a Blue one was available near Varberg.
The quickest tent down and off in the drizzle towards Goteborg first having to
cross by free ferry .
We then started to meet crap Swedish drivers in yes
you’ve guessed Volvos . Do you know it means I go in Latin -whats the
Latin for I cause chaos I wonder?. The first brush was with a guy who slammed
his brakes on at 50mph to let a bus out , Mike saw it happening but Lesley had
all on to stop her broadside slide / skid developing into something nasty . A
very close shave and some brilliant riding.
Ten miles later on a wide
junction another Volvo pulled out straight in front of Mike. A quick swerve and
a mega blast on the 1100 air horns plus some friendly gestures ! sorted that
out. Swede driving 0 Norwegian 1.
Started to see some brilliant long forked
custom bikes. Weather improving . Thought we would stop at a Macdonalds but the
rest of Goteborg were there in the queue so forget it . Off to the nearest
StatOil service station for great coffee and cobs by the side of a rapidly
developing major traffic jam on the Goteborg ring road.
A lot of deft
weaving got us past the jam and on through another long tunnel and quieter
roads towards Halland and the caravan site at Bjorkangs and our hutte. What a
hutte - pure IKEA limed oak panelling and all mod cons . The shower block at
the site was massive . Warm and even stereo music playing .Even a shower room
for dogs.
The cooking room had 4 microwaves 3 stoves together with a
separate dining area. Puts our sites to real shame . All for 275 krone a night
.Shame the rain has started but a few Swedish tinnies brewed locally plus an
excellent meal with spit roast chicken and fresh new potatoes from the site
supermarket and superb music with American radio quality not squeaky English on
the local Swedish FM made for a pleasant evening in the hutte.
Woke to heavy skies but no rain so off to Falkenberg
on the Swedish Riviera ! think of Ingoldmells on a winters day in the rain with
no amusement arcades but worse. Back to the hutte and out with the beer and a
quick wipe down of the bikes - 1000 miles so far. After another brilliant meal
off to the beach to watch the sunset. Found out why the locals didn’t
speak to us much they thought we were German. Did you know Swedish is like
Japanese, as when they say hello in the morning they say HEI very loudly.
Woke to sunshine and no wind . Packed up and set off
for Orkelljunga in southern Sweden for our next hutte. On the way we called
into Halmstad where Roxette come from. Much friendlier folk and even a
motorbike parking area in the main square. The Swedish Big Mac went down a
treat in the sunshine. Back to the bikes and off into Big forests . Found the
next site Hjelmejo Camping near a pretty village .
A yellow hutte this time
next to 6 Dutch bikers who were off to the WaterFestival in Stockholm . They
were well organised their back up vehicle driven by one of their girl friends
was completely full of Grolsch ! What a way to go. We were right by a large
lake. Great swim time again as it was getting very hot. We ended up drinking
the local brew called FAT beer - unlike the Falkenberg brew this should have
been called CRAP beer.
Up to a cool morning and on with the wets for most of the trip down
to Helsingborg to catch the ferry over to Danmark.Luckily we took the right
turn , bearing mind there are several ferry companies that cross the narrow
straight called Ore between Sverige and Danmark - hey said like a local what !
We got straight onto one of the Scandline ferries where you simply drive on
and sit in the lower area of the boat with sky above you surrounded by
juggernaut lorries.Not that bad as we were right at the front .
We met a
friendly Ducati riding Swede who went to great lengths to try and put us off
staying in Kobenhavn .He nearly succeeded with his vivid description of a drug
crazed,prostitute ridden , bike stealing patch of town where our prebooked
hotel was located.
We decided at first to ride down the coast of Zealand (
Snaeland)the big island that Copenhagen occupies. After a while we stopped and
came to the same conclusion - go to the Hotel and at least check it out as the
guy Mike had rung from England at the Hotel was adamant the bikes would be
safe.
So off to the big city down the main motorway , thankfully due to the
brilliant maps from the tourist office we made our way into the centre of
Kobenhavn quite easily. At one point we stopped just to get our bearings and
the friendly man from DHL confirmed we were on the right road.
At that
moment a guy came up to us and offered us some odd looking glasses but all was
soon clear when he said did we want to look at the eclipse . We had forgotten
it was THAT day and there it was a clear 3/4 eclipse of the sun. All the way
into the centre everybody was on the streets watching the sun. Mike whilst
looking for street names forgot the bike lanes had started and got blasted by a
cyclist!
Not just Volvos to contend with now but Raleighs as well! Our
street with the Hotel was spotted but a slight problem the end of the road had
been closed off and it was one way- the wrong way. Ah well sod it , Mike rode
up onto the pavement and down the side of the road we needed with Lesley
following . It then got a bit silly .
Picture if you will 2 Viragos fully
loaded ( yes you know how much we manage to carry )going down the wrong way of
a one way street on the pavement following a woman walking with a little boy.
She didn’t even turn round even though 2 bikes were following her. To make
matters more silly we couldn’t get off the pavement because of the height
of the kerb until we had more or less got to the end of the road in front of
the Selandia Hotel . Talk about comic cuts but it was great slow bike riding
practise.
So much for the horror picture painted by the Swede - the bikes
were in an inner quadrangle with a thick metal door ,totally safe. The Hotel
was fine with head to toe beds which was a bit odd but very comfortable with
delicious breakfasts. With our bikes tucked away it was time to explore the
City after catching a last glimpse of the full eclipse from somewhere in Turkey
on the BBC European TV .
Never thought I would see Patrick Moore live from
England whilst in Danmark. Then off to find that famous lady the Mermaid down
by the harbour by train. Well after a rather difficult trek to avoid building
works we found her surrounded by loads of tourists - a bit of a let down after
the trouble to get there. Ah well at least we saw her.
Back to hotel to get
ready for an evening at Tivoli. A wonderful place a cross between Alton Towers
,the Arboretum ,Goose Fair and a circus plus places to eat from burgers to 5
star restaurants. We dined at the Peacock and had a brill meal and then watched
the show at the outdoor stage - dancing , Elephants , High Wire artists
including a guy riding a wire on a 250cc bike and a girl who climbed up a 100
ft pole and then proceeded to shake it from side to side whilst standing on her
head!
The evening ended with a stunning Firework display and a walk back to
the Hotel just round the corner. Just one lady plying her trade quietly on the
corner so much for the warning from the guy on the boat from Sweden . I think I
feel more threatened walking past the transient persons in the middle of
Nottingham.
Using our Copenhagen Card ( free on transport plus
free entrance into most places) we went first thing to the Zoo - Wot still no
Mooses. Back into town to do some sight seeing . Whilst walking along the main
street in Copenhagen Ostergade just like Bridlesmith Gate we happened across
the Erotic Centre -by chance ! and guess who should be lingering in the
entrance but Big John and several South West members.
Apparently they had
lost their way and were seeking directions from the strangely attired lady
standing in the entrance area. With whip pointing we believe she was ushering
them inside . Anyway we concentrated on saying hello and looking forward to
meeting up at the rally site. A bit further on we found the famous Clock Tower
in which you can climb to the top and get a superb view over the skyline of
Kobenhavn.
It is most unusual due to the width of the roadway inside the
tower which could take 4 Viragos riding side by side to the top. Hill climb on
the inside and gentle rise on the outside! On the way back to the hotel we came
across the most odd place to go in the “Ripley’s Believe It or Not
“ exhibition full of the strangest things from all over the world from the
largest tyre to a weird line in African marital aids and just to help your
sense of balance a turning tube tunnel which you walk or stumble through
feeling quite ick afterwards.
Just for a change we went to the Tivoli again
in the evening ( free with the card) this time to see the Chinese mime theatre
show which shows many historic mime plays.
Well this is the day we have been looking forward to
Rally time . After a hearty breakfast we packed up the bikes and headed out the
city back past the zoo and on into north Zealand or Sjaeland as the locals say
.
It is still a mystery to me why we have a place called a perfectly good
name and then have to use other names dependant on the lingo. On the way we
passed near to where the Haitch tour had stayed with the most hospitable local
Virago guys and girls near Farum lake. Along the motorway we suddenly had to
slam the bakes on as did the other traffic as a lorry stopped to then squeeze
slowly under a bridge , he knew what he was doing as the place name on the
lorry was the next town off the motorway - no doubt it was a short cut !
We
were aiming for the top of Sjaeland to do a bit (only a bit - remember Norge!)
of a tour .On the way we past in a bit of drizzle some rather forlorn looking
army guys on motor bikes in convoy .I think our salutes brightened up their day
. Odd to think we were enjoying our bike riding and they weren’t. After a
while and many a wind turbine we hit the north coast and called in at a bar in
Gilleleje for coffee.
Then off down the coast road west with the most lovely
coast scenery blue sky / sea. On the way we passed a chap on a cycle travelling
round the world from California , wonder how far he has got so far ? Back down
past Lake Arreso and over a long bridge over Roskilde Fjord onto the
Hornsherred peninsula. Through lovely rolling countryside and along a backroad
into Holbaek a pretty little town and over to the Rally site .
When we
arrived near to the site it was well sign posted with Virago pointers but no
fellow bikers . This didn’t concern us as we had heard most were not going
to turn up till late afternoon . At the last turn we went along a narrow lane
and then turned onto a sandy track through a gorse heathland on a hilltop. The
track suddenly dropped away from us . Whoa whats the number 1 rule on a bike -
Only go down what you can easily get back from. So a slight hesitation -yes
there was the Virago arrow so it must be the way ,but hang on this was down a
sand dune track with loaded 535S and 1100.
In the words of the Bard sod it.
Off we wobble in more ways than one ( see it in the flesh in the wonderful
video of the rally) down the hill. thank goodness nobody was coming the other
way as one minute we were on the left then on the right. luckily we got to the
bottom none the worse unlike some others including Andre and his superb Royal
Star which went sandpit digging though went on to win Best in rally.
Prides
were hurt more than bikes! We signed in and registered our distance travelled
having it converted by our Danish hosts to kilometres over 2 thousand ! Fingers
crossed we have ridden the furthest. As we some of the early bikes we had
plenty of places to choose in the lovely pine wooded glade by the side of a
clear blue white sand bay , could have been the tropics.
The lovely site
belonged to the Klinteborg youth club which luckily due to a call to Jan before
we left prevented us going to Klinteborg -the wrong place. We set up our tent
as the weather was perfect. We could have slept in a 6 man/woman room but the
fresh air and knowledge that we were certified snore free. After putting the
tent up amongst glasses of Faxe beer ( the ones we were drinking) we sat on our
new chairs brought from England , highly recommended and admired the view of
the many bikes now arriving from all over - Sweden,Holland,Germany,Finland ,
Denmark and then a rumbling. Yes the Brits were coming , the Haitch tour
closely followed by the Outlaws had arrived en masse with an immense Union Jack
on the back of one of the bikes.
In the middle was the sole rep for the
EMVSOC Lost Riders our friend big John. A round of greetings and John set to
making camp. Kindly he felt it necessary to arrange the customary snore
limitation zone , which some innocent Danes then moved into . Didn’t hear
a peep out of John!
A walk along the beach and a paddle was lovely in the
late afternoon sunshine,it was quite warm. Back to stock up on the beer - Faxe
is a light straw coloured lager beer with a touch of sweetness and that most
important element it assists the befuddling of the mind . The Danes had all
under control with a well stocked bar and good music. In the canteen area we
all sat down to a tasty stew with gorgeous new spuds and hot beetroot.
A
purchase of another 100 kr booze / Nails card set us up for the evenings
events. In amongst the celebrations the Nail games were starting in earnest. A
slight digression:- Basic rules Take 5 people ,stand them round an upright log
and hand them a 5 inch nail each and one hammer between them all. Add some beer
and off you go . Each person then takes it in turn to hit their or somebody
else’s nail. The game is in 2 parts -the first being that the persons nail
that goes in first will buy a drink for all the others.
The game then
continues with everyone trying not to be the last one knocked in. If you are
its buy another round of drinks AND another set of nails. Whilst we didn’t
pluck up courage to do it ourselves it was fun watching the sparks fly and the
ale flowing . The games went onto 4 in the morning - that’s a lot of nails
and no small amount of Faxe. Must say I ‘ve never been Faxed before , not
too bad really! The alcohol helped stave off what turned out to be a rather
chilly night. On the way back to the tent it was pitch black with the most
incredible star filled sky , nothing like stumbling over guylines and a trip
into the gorse .
Life gradually came to in the morning and greeted that
glowing orb in the sky again will we ever see rain? Off to the clubhouse and a
brekkie of cheese and fresh bread and jam,with lurpak of course.With
anticipation we all discussed the HILL and the joy of doing a bit of scrambling
on the way out on the rideout. No disasters on the way up as 100 bikes
negotiated the slippery sand.
The rideout went through lovely countryside
around the local area - not too far .Looked like a cross between Lincs,Holland
and the Cotswolds but really don’t try to compare - its Denmark. Windmills
,thatched cottages, clear air and friendly people. On the way we filmed by the
rally film crew who either were hanging off the backs of bikes or standing by
on in ! the road filming the ride and anything else happening including the
moment when a herd of cows on one side of the road decided they wanted to be on
the otherside of the road despite there being a long line of moving Viragos in
the way.
Luckily all survived. First time we’ve been in the middle of
a stampede - Lostriders we ought to be the Cattledrovers. Back to the rally
site and a mass slide down the hill with just a few disappearing into the gorse
and sand . Once we were all off the bikes a call went out that we were all
needed at the beach as Yamaha Danmark had laid on some water sports.
Gathered on the dune victims sorry volunteers were pressganged oops asked
to go down to the waters edge where a boat picked them up and took them out to
the open water. They were then dumped sorry again allowed to enter the water
and dragged in little donut dingys across the bay at high speed .Last out won.
Brits won the day and some excellent Yamaha leather jackets. After lunch more
games , Slow Riding ( Swedish winner) and Tug of War Men ( Snaeland Danmark)
and Tug of War ladies ( Holland). Wot no footie - brill! Bit of sunbathing and
a wander around the Yamaha stand for goodies and the Overseas VSOC sales stand
- hang on that was us .
All this including a few Faxes was then interrupted
by the increasing pitter patter of RAIN. Heavier and heavier it came down but
it didn’t really matter as we were dining inside on excellent beef and veg
washed down by Faxe. Outside into the huge marquee which the Danes had erected
to listen to the group . A few probs with electrics before they got up and
running with the lead ending up playing out front under an umbrella.
Meanwhile Faxe and Black Pigs (take one bottle of Vodka and add 5 Finnish
liquorice cough sweets Tyrkisk Peber “extra hot” - leave to melt for
5 days ,tastes like a cross between Pernod and aah Pernod with a kick ) were
flowing and plenty knockie nails. Down came the rain and the puddles got deeper
and the edges of the tent took on their customary bowed shape full of ice cold
rain waiting to be tipped on an unsuspecting passer-by.
But what the heck
we were having fun. A huge raffle rest of Europe loads of prizes EMVOC nil .
The Haitch Solent tour group decided to challenge the Dutch to a lager glass
mountain competition which involved having to buy more drinks to build the
tower of glasses higher. Prize giving then came next with the Brits doing
well:- Best in Show - Andre and his Royal Star Best Star - Andre Donut Riding -
Solent Longest distance- EMVOC Lost Riders Lesley and me on our 2 bikes Shame
Gerry wasn’t there as there was only one VMAX. Later evening entertainment
was provided by the South London Laptop sorry table top dancing team. Loads of
rain in the night but no flooding. We were nice and dry in the tent.
Up to very misty sunshine and the usual final rally
morning activities including goodbyes to our brilliant hosts the Danmark
Snaeland crew - thanks Jan. Once more up the hill made even more interesting by
the rain and off to southern Denmark. Thunder and lightning on the way and
torrential rain as we approached one of the longest bridges in Europe the
Storebaelt bridge 105 Dkr each to cross from the island Sjaelland to the
central island of Fyn , the one in the middle of Denmark and down to the south
to Svendborg.
A short trip over one of the many bridges we have crossed
during our tour took us the tiny island of Tåsinge and sunshine. Our base
for the next 2 nights would be the Carlsberg Camping site in a caravan . A big
van -very comfy .Usual Scandinavian creature comforts at the sight just add
some lager . Talking of which the site was taken on by probably the best lager
company in the world for misuse of the name Carlsberg and the site won - it was
proved to be older!
Monday
Hot day off to Langeland (Long Island) where
they hold a huge Music Festival each year. Mike ‘s route planning
eventually took us to a dead-end in someone’s backgarden! Back to camp for
lunch and later to the wonderful castle of Egeskov. A most beautiful place with
a fascinating transport museum including the Count’s collection of 4
Ferraris ,Buses, cars , even a Lockheed Starfighter and umpteen rare
motorbikes. Brilliant sky walk through the tops of the trees alongside lovely
gardens.
Our last day in Scandinavia , a quick toe dip in the
chilly pool and off on the bikes to Esbjerg but with a quick look at Tromense
near where we were staying . Well we couldn’t believe it a lovely little
village with a castle and lots of thatched cottages next to a bay. Elvira
Madigan was from here ,who I thought was a cowboy but apparently she was
married to a soldier , a bit of a scandal and then a suicide pact.
Apparently lots of Americans come here to see the house she lived in. Off onto
the mainroad to Esbjerg via Odense and Middlefart a quaint place where we had
Burger and beetroot -different! More underwater gear for a heavy storm through
to clear blue sky at the coast. Pulled in for petrol and a few sandwiches .
When we came out luck was on ourside , the sun had heated the tarmac up and
Mikes bike was just about to go over - phew! close.
Into the port and
ignored the queue of cars and weaved our way right to the front .The guy
loading the boat thanked us for getting to the front! He wanted to load the
bikes first. Strapped down and up on deck in quick time to enjoy a final pint
and take the rays as we left port at about 7pm and arrived back at 12 .00 am
the next day at Harwich.
Guess what it rained all the way from Harwich all the
way to Peterborough , welcome back to England some 1900 miles later . Our trip
was a great experience which took us to places which were so different and we
met some really friendly people. Roll on the next Euro Rally.
Mike & Lesley
