Dedicated to a wonderful Mother Jean Noble 31/5/1929 - 20/8/2007 - may we never take our mothers for granted. - Goodbye Mum

DENMARK PAGE 5 OCTOBER 2007

(Updated 16/10/07) The worlds 7th richest Nation (per capita). Out of the ten Richest Countries (based on 2006 GNP per capita in US$)

(NOTE: ***Luxembourg's high GNP per capita is due in part to a significant number of its workforce living in neighbouring countries. Non-residents are not counted in Luxembourg's population which in turn raises the country's GNP per capita score. This effectively places Norway in first spot. (REF: Here)

We are once again with the “Mega Rich”. However, they have slipped from 5^th place to 7^th in the last few years. It is also home to the young “Sheila” from Tassie that married a Prince

We're here to learn once again, knowing little about the country or its people. One of my good friends “Gunnar Colin” is Danish and we cannot forget those lovely “Danish Pastries” that he brought into our shop, for us all to feast on. Who (in my era) as a child, has not heard Danny Kaye's 1952 song “Wonderful Wonderful Copenhagen” Or Hans Christian Andersen and (for me) the most famous fairy tail “The Ugly Duckling”. As usual I will report as I see things, “warts 'n all”

Friday November 2nd 2007  Bække free campsite to Closed down “huts” in Jels.
Approx. 38.03k's Average Speed 11.28kph Cycling time 3Hr(s) 22Min. Max speed. 47kph Max temp we recorded 16°C
Terrain: Flat. Road Conditions: Very Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00
With an exasperated sigh, we gave up looking for the two “secret” camps, we passed on our way here. Local knowledge is iffy at the best of times... It's been “iffier” here in Denmark. However, always the optimist I knew we would find “somewhere”, and I would either be screaming about prices or lauding the find we had :-) We met a man at some “huts”, he had keys

and spoke only Danish, however, using his "non verbal" "universal" language, he said we could sleep in a “garage” 

and that there was Hot Water in the toilets.

He did not want money. So we are bedded down here for the night. This part of Denmark was Germany until after WW1 (World War 1). We crossed a bridge that was the original border.

As far as I know it was not re-claimed when Germany rose again in 1939... I do not have internet here, and despite being able to upload once, have not had email for many many days. UPDATE: Details can be found here.
We woke this morning to a frost which soon cleared to a bright sunny day.. The temp peaked at a respectable 16C but that was not for long... Hey Gunnar, if you are reading this... Look bellow; eat yer heart out – we did :-)

Well that's about it for today... Catchya Later
Saturday November 3rd 2007  Closed down “huts” in Jels to RØDEKRO Free campsite.
Approx. 53.35k's Average Speed 10.85kph Cycling time 4Hr(s) 55Min. Max speed. 34kph Max temp we recorded 14°C
Terrain: Flat. Road Conditions: Very Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00
After a night of (at times) torrential rain we slept warm and dry in the sheltered area we pitched our tent in. The hot shower was nice as was the price – free :-). We did offer to pay but he flatly refused. An early start packing up began at 06:45 and we were on the road, fed and watered, by 09:00. At 9am it is still quite dark and that was compounded by heavy cloud and wet roads

We saw few humans today except “hunters”...

Above one of many “hunters” waiting to slaughter Deer... On a main cycle route AND public road

I have avoided writing about my feelings towards the exploitation of Animals. Watching these “men” (Small “m”) line up to kill or maim a frightened Animal proved unbearable. These men are simply cowards, usually small men, of low intellect. I know there are a few large men too, but their intellect is small. Their idea of “fun” is to kill a frightened defenceless animal with high powered technology... How “manly” of them.

I have said before I am a pragmatist, we (probably) need to eat animals! The big BUT is that if we eat them, they deserve our respect and our care. To frighten, wound, maim and kill, for fun, is simply wrong. (I will not insult sportsmen and women by including “hunting” as a sport – IT IS NOT AND CAN NEVER BE, A SPORT)

A respectable distance again today with over 50 k's. Could feel the knee a bit towards the end, but it was a hard slog at times in the mud..

Still an above 10kph average for “Human Power” with 70kg on board is not too bad :-)... Well that's about it for tonight, Catchya later..
Sunday November 4th 2007 RØDEKRO Free campsite Denmark. To GERMANY Flensburg City YHA Hotel
Approx. 56.84k's Average Speed 11.47kph Cycling time 4Hr(s) 57Min. Max speed. 29kph Max temp we recorded 16°C
Terrain: Flat. Road Conditions: Very Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00
After a long day we are now in Germany. Once again no border to cross – no checks nothing. We simply cycled down the road and watched the language and signage change. But first Denmark. After we left our campsite we became bewildered by the signage – or lack of it. Later we met a young German girl Yvonne.

She ended up escorting us over the border and into Flensburg – which is where she lives. She is a native of Frankfurt and has only been in Flensburg four days.. She had cycled about 20 k's into Denmark when we met her.. She too became bewildered by signage and got us lost once... Only an extra K or so :-)... Anyhow tired and beaten :-) we got here – Catchya Later.

SUMMARY DENMARK

Fantastic, fabulous are two words that immediately come to mind when I/We think of Denmark. We had a wonderful time here. The people are truly remarkable in their willingness to help and their generosity... Corporate Denmark is akin to Corporate Britain, Norway and Sweden – woeful. The cycling infrastructure is great compared with anywhere we have been, a few minor hitches, BUT, I wish Australia could learn a few things from them. I hope we can return one day. I would love to have a Danish Pastry and a coffee, with my friend Gunnar in Copenhagen :-) Never say never

SUMMARY SCANDINAVIA

NORWAY: Both Lee and myself loved Scandinavia, Warm generous People. Our first meeting with Helle and her husband/family in Bergen will never be forgotten. A “complicated” family (In the very best possible sense) that are a joy to share a topic of conversation with and Helle's love of music was just marvellous. Our meeting with Tove and Jens (And family) was unforgettable also... Great people that threw caution to the wind in their topics of conversation, broaching sensitive areas such as whaling etc....

SWEDEN: too was just as unforgettable.. “Angens Gard” and the generosity of the entire family is beyond explanation. Our two days with a Thai family was both enriching and funny. A meal cooked for us in Gottenberg by the owners of a Thai Restaurant and the people that stopped us to talk will last forever in our minds.

DENMARK: Our summary is just above.. Our time with Deng, a Thai lady. We spent two days and nights with her, hubby and “princess” her daughter. Unforgettable. Or Søren in Aalborg and the “angelic” voice of his Swedish wife as she sang “Santa Lucia” to her daughter. There were people that let us stay on their properties for free and sometimes share breakfast before we left.. To these also, we say thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

If I had a “wish list” it would be that these three “tribes” unite. That they combine their currency to both strengthen and preserve the Scandinavian identity, Until that is, we can achieve a global one.

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