Good news was it was a sunny morning… bad news that the wind
hadn’t slackened one bit so I was worried about the ferry crossing from Puttgarden in Germany to Rodby in Denmark – as it was
it was needless as the boat just took it all in its stride although I was
relieved when I got back down to the car deck at the end of the crossing ad
found the bike still standing upright!
Met some fellow bikers as you do in the queue for the ferry.
A little Spanish guy and his wife on a BMW loaded so high with bags and topped
with an Italian flag that I thought he’d after go in the truck lane. Apparently
he owned a motor cycle clothing and accessory shop in Barcelona – according to
the wad of business cards he shoved into my hands much to the embarrassment of
his wife. Her embarrassment continued on the ferry as I saw him handing them
out to all and sundry – bikers or not.
There were a couple of Germans – big bears of men who had
hearts of pure gold as I later learned.
Then there was Rick, an American from Vermont who looked a
lean, fit 60/62 year old and who stuck out amongst us for two main reasons – we
were all doing impersonations of black leather and textile bound Michelin men
and he was in lycra leggings and a thin day-glow yellow top, we had various
macho boys’ toys and he had a tired looking pedal cycle with tiny panniers
front and back – oh and a sign on the rear saying – “Rick”. He was cycling to Copenhagen which in itself
deserved a lot of respect as it was some 98
miles up the road but then he added he had cycled from Paris – and after
a few days in Copenhagen he was cycling down to Frankfurt to meet Sally his
partner and they were then off to Basle together – on their bikes. Talking about our travels I asked if he’d been to
England and he had, some 50 years ago – when he was 23 and in the army! The guy
was 73 – that Vermont air must be good.
The motorway towards
Copenhagen was wonderful, just one amazing bridge linking islands after another.
It was though marred by a minor breakdown. I carry tons of spares and am
prepared for most eventualities – except my cash helmet falling to pieces – didn’t
see that coming. In fact didn’t see much for a few seconds as the “flip up lid”
flipped down! Fortunately there was an
exit almost immediately and so I was able to pull off. Close examination of offending lid revealed a
screw had come loose on the inner thingymajig and,although took a whil, a bit
of microsurgery with a swiss army knife and a screwdriver sorted it – ish! The Germans I mentioned must have seen me
pull off and stop because after a while they doubled back to see if I was ok - good this biker lark innit!
I had to Skirt Copenhagen to get to Sweden but Froggie was
insistent that I showed him Hans Christian Andersons Little Mermaid so a slight
detour was made.
Actually a longer
detour than expected as Copenhagen it seems is being moved by great big yellow
dumper trucks to somewhere else and many of the roads Satnav Jane thought she
knew were no longer there - a lot of
“Turn around when possible”.
Froggie wasn't the only critter out that day - Mr and Mrs Goose were taking the family for a walk in the park...
Then on to the Oresund Bridge and Sweden. I can now drop into
conversations “When I popped into Denmark for the day ….” If you are in to Scandinavian Crime series
you’ll know about “The Bridge” - an
amazing bridge and indeed tunnel complex which links Denmark to Sweden – great view,
would have been good to see it from a vertical position! Didn't get a photo of this bridge as nowhere safe to stop so watch this space on the return leg!
Rode past probably the most laid back bus stop I’ve ever seen.
Now, certain members of my family have a thing about wild
boars – never seen one but are convinced they are not good things to be chased
through woods by.
This is probably not a good place to come then Miss H!
Settled in now near Angelholme, just north of Helsinborg, Sweden.
Tired, as you can probably tell – the wind really has taken
its toll so will call it a day.
Let’s see what tomorrow brings…
