We have an update from the feature which commenced in the last edition letting you know about friends of ours who have embarked on a journey of a lifetime in thier motorhome. Phil, Sharon, Jemma and Ben are travelling on a World Tour in aid of Devon Air Ambulance who they have been needed themselves in recent years.
We found our favourite layby just outside Dover and caught the ferry on Tuesday morning. We were lucky enough (we think) to be upgraded to the VIP Suite. We had magnetic cards to pass through the doors (special offer through the caravan club!) We had unlimited access to all the food and drink and a whole lounge area with reclining and swivel chairs to ourselves! The children were not so impressed and wondered where the toys were?
We landed in France (Dunkerque) and were uninterrupted through customs - Remember to drive on the RIGHT.......
We drove into Belgium and rather than 'Lost in France' we became 'Lost in Belgium'. It was not our sat navs fault, it would have taken us where we needed to go if we knew what to tell it but we were looking for a war memorial in Zeebrugge..... The whole place was (to us) a maze of train tracks and swing bridges crossing through the road system without much warning and looking a bit like spaghetti junction! We tried for several hours to beat the system but eventually we had to admit defeat. The war memorial was of extra special interest as it includes the name of Phil's Great Uncle (Albert McKenzie) who was awarded (amongst others that day) the VC for taking his part in the raid of Zeebrugge. There were many brave men that day. We'll try to find it again one day - with the backing of more local knowledge.
We found a campsite at Brugge to have a bit of a break. Next we drove up to the Netherlands and on into Germany. We found a friendly rest area for the night.....continued the trek out of Germany and into Denmark. We found a lovely friendly campsite (Mongeltonder camping). We BBQ'd a whole leg of lamb - much to the amusement of our camping neighbours! and then it RAINED - well we ARE in Scandinavia!
We walked down to Mogeltonder - one of the oldest villages in Denmark and very worthy of its 'prettiest' title. It has a cobbled main street with lots of oldy worldy houses and shops. Phil thinks these must have been built before the spirit level had been invented! It is also home to the Royal Castle - Schackenborg Slot - now owned by His Royal Highness Prince Joachim.
On Saturday we went into Tonder and found a great street party with a market, vintage car show, beer and live music - who could ask for more?
We left Tonder on Sunday (a week ago!) and went to Naerun (near Copenhagen). On the way I made a fuel chart so that we can keep a record of the cost and amount of that dreaded stuff we use!
We found another friendly site with helpful English speaking people! We have been very lucky so far – with being able to communicate easily. When we arrived at this site we were slightly confused about the time of year as we were met by many Christmas decorations glittering around the caravans? We later found out that there were 8 Father Christmas’s staying on site as it was traditional that they have a meeting in July to make their arrangements for the following Christmas!
We took the little blue train from Naerum to connect up to the underground metro into Copenhagen. A much cheaper and stress-free way to travel into the city. We enjoyed a guided boat tour around the city and saw several of the most important sites, including the Royal Palace. We did not realise that Copenhagen is similar to that of Venice (although of different style) with its network of waterways and very low bridges to negotiate! The children even spotted a coot who decided to nest on the back of a moored boat! We also saw war ships and torpedo boats.
Back at the site we managed to use Wifi and Skype back to England for the first time! At least we know this works when we have connection!
We left Denmark and moved across to Sweden. We were left in a state of shock at the toll prices to cross two bridges - £120!! Because Nessie comes under HGV for toll pricings – over 7 metres long. Even if one happens to be the longest bridge in the world (we think) – this is still expensive travelling. If we had time to move further north – a ferry would have made a more cost effective method of travel. We were fortunate enough to enjoy the best sunny weather that Sweden has had in a long time with temperatures rising to the high 80’s – even 90 degrees F.
We met a lovely friendly Swedish couple – Leif and Inger Nystrom and spent interesting times with them finding out about more Swedish fact - iods (wait until the end for these!) Once again their good English saved the day and Phil had found himself a Whisky drinking buddy!
Thursday 24th – morning – up to have a shower but NO WATER! What is going on – the tank is full? Off Phil goes to investigate and luckily it was nothing more serious than a pipe which had blown off the water pump. A bit more tricky to get at to fix as it was inside a sealed unit....problem solved – we expect there will be more where that came from in our duration of time! Our good friend Leif took us all out for a trip around a small proportion of the lake (Ringojon) in his motorised dingy and this cheered everyone up! Thank you!
On Friday (25th) we enjoyed a great day at the Skanes Djurpark (the world’s largest zoo park with only Scandinavian animals). There were over 800 animals belonging to about 85 different species, including bears, lynxes, wolves, wolverines and elks. Many of these species can only be seen at Skane Zoo as they have become extinct in the wild and it is only through the zoo’s successful breeding programmes that they have been saved from total extinction. As the brochure boasts these animals are homed in generously proportioned enclosures - adding to the fun as we had to often track them down first!
So we leave the lake behind (at the Swecamp Hoor – Jagersbo-Sweden) tomorrow (Monday) and have a ferry booked from Ystad to Poland direct to save going back over the bridges!
FACT-OID – 1 Swedish mile is 10kms!
FACT-OID – Traditionally all Swedish houses were painted red as this was the cheapest way to make paint out of copper and water. These houses also have wooden painted panels with the corner panels painted white.
FACT-OID - It is not possible to buy alcohol which is any stronger than 3.5% volume in any supermarket type shop. You can only purchase stronger alcohol in a state owned store (for tax purposes) and also pharmacies are state owned too. You will never find any privately owned medicine stores in Sweden.
FACT-OID- Snus is a Swedish alternative for smoking cigarettes. It is very popular among males but also ladies too! These little poaches are like miniature tea bags and one is put under your top lip – sitting on your top gum. This is a direct form of nicotine into your system and is equally as additive. This method is obviously more sociable in terms of passive smoking and is kinder to your lungs. However – apparently it is not so kind to your gums or lips.
FACT-IOD- Some Danish Kroner coins have round holes right through the centre of them.
FACT-OID- The Danes only accept Danish Bank cards - thank goodness for cash points!
FACT-OID- In our experience- the Danish are the quietest people ever in the toilets/washrooms - never a word is spoken!
Until next time ...........
Updated to 28th July 2008
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