From Spain to Norway - the long way round

[moulin 87]

We're now on a fee paying marina parking just 3km from a lovely free place but here we have a washing machine and dryer and leccy. It's on the Limfjorden which is supposed to be one of the best fishing places but a local guy told Martin that there aren't any fish!!! Maybe just doesn't want some foreigner taking his fish . Pity its so windy or Martin could call his bluff!

Were tucked in next to the building to shelter us from the wind. Can't do anything about the rain when it comes though.

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Northern Portugal is just fine, fancy going all that way for just such bad weather..

 

[jumartoo]

Northern Portugal is just fine, fancy going all that way for just such bad weather..

Ah but we don't go all that way just for good weather. We could stay at home!

 

[jumartoo]

Two loads of washing done and dried. Us showered in a proper shower and a meal cooked in the kitchen on the marina for later today.

Left in the usual wind and rain but we could see that the sky was lighter further south. We drove past some burial mounds but it wasn't fit to stop to explore. We headed for the fishing area Martin had been recommended. There are three motorhome parking areas at Hvide Sande, a fishing town sitting between the North Sea and the Rinkobing Fjord. We visited them all before deciding to stay at the last one between the fishing port and the sea, but sheltered by dunes. There's a surfing school here so we have neighbours tonight. It's free to park during the day but have to pay between 20.00 and 9.00 but at 18.00 the machine wasn't working. Will see if it comes on at paying time.

As this is a commercial fishing port there are lots of shops selling fishing items and we've had to look round them all. The bit about free fishing for over 65 tourists doesn't apply here as the fishing is privately owned so if Martin wants to fish he'll have to pay for his fix

As everywhere else in Denmark there are lots of cycle paths and we hope to do a route tomorrow if the forecast is correct. At the moment it's dry and calm. Fingers crossed!

Long straight road next to the North Sea (the other side of the dune).

The beach just over the dunes from the parking.

Cormorants

The fishing port

And the town.
There may be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! But not found it yet.

The Signal Mast (and the explanation)

We have free internet for the whole town so I've gone overboard on the photos today .

I've just had to help our young female neighbour out of her wetsuit. Sorry no piccy.

 

[Robert Clark]

Hope the weather stays fine for your bike ride

 

[jumartoo]

Well we got out on the bikes. Three and a half hours of cycling with soft bums is not too enjoyable but we were so glad to be out that we suffered in silence. Most of the route was on tarmac cycleways, then it turned into gravel tracks, then muddy and sandy tracks. We thought we'd missed a sign but we eventually arrived back on the road at the correct point!!!

The weather was mostly calm and sunny but the devil cloud dropped a little rain on us and the devil wind blew against us in the last kilometres!

Danish Whisky, is that allowed?

Signs of autumn. Lots of spiders.

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[Robert Clark]

Did you stop of for a quick tasting at the distillery?

 

[jumartoo]

Did you stop of for a quick tasting at the distillery?

At 10.00 in the morning a definite NO!

#Notawhiskydrinker.

 

[jumartoo]

After having a sandwich and a cuppa in Lidls carpark where we'd left the van, we did a bit of shopping and topped up with diesel in exchange. We then drove south to the oldest town in Denmark, Ribe. There's a free 48 hours parking area a few minutes walk from the town centre. Arriving in sunny weather we took the opportunity of exploring whilst we could.

It's a nice town. Touristy. Would be very busy in high season but manageable for us today. There's a Cathedral which, again, was built in the wrong place for photos and narrow medieval streets. Ribe's history is one of Vikings, kings, queens, bishops, traitors, witches, floods and fire!!! Some of the old features are still to be found in the town which include decorated doors.

Yay ... Blue sky!!!

There's a round island Mando, accessible only at low tide, which we may try to cycle to tomorrow or we may just cycle to the coast so Martin can try fishing in Denmark. It all depends on the weather, it's peeing down again now!!!

 

[jumar]

Just noticed that our Skanditour has given me something that I didn't have before.
WEB FEET.

 

[jumartoo]

Our last night in Denmark turned out to be on a motorhome parking area outside a campsite near the beach at Norburg on the 'almost' island of Als. Almost because you can drive to get onto the island.

Martin had researched fishing and 15 September was the last day to fish in Denmark so he hoped to find a spot for his swan dance!!! Everywhere we went had no fishing signs and then he spoke to a local just bringing in a boat and had caught three fish in the last few days. Fishing finished!!!

The beach was nice though and I think I found a bit of amber, which is supposed to be a foragers aim. I've kept the bit of amber coloured rock anyway.

From here we headed into Germany. There was a police block on the northern carriageway with a hold up of many kilometres. Of course brains go into overdrive wondering what they're stopping people for. Luckily for us we sailed past them all heading south to a Stelplatz at a small village, Jagel.

Nothing to do here but a nice, tidy place a simple, but efficient, way to channel grey water into a drain!!!!

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[DBK]

After having a sandwich and a cuppa in Lidls carpark where we'd left the van, we did a bit of shopping and topped up with diesel in exchange. We then drove south to the oldest town in Denmark, Ribe. There's a free 48 hours parking area a few minutes walk from the town centre. Arriving in sunny weather we took the opportunity of exploring whilst we could.

It's a nice town. Touristy. Would be very busy in high season but manageable for us today. There's a Cathedral which, again, was built in the wrong place for photos and narrow medieval streets. Ribe's history is one of Vikings, kings, queens, bishops, traitors, witches, floods and fire!!! Some of the old features are still to be found in the town which include decorated doors.

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Yay ... Blue sky!!!

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There's a round island Mando, accessible only at low tide, which we may try to cycle to tomorrow or we may just cycle to the coast so Martin can try fishing in Denmark. It all depends on the weather, it's peeing down again now!!!

Possibly a bit late now but if fishing in the Baltic, take note of the tide. It may only be a foot or so but the fish stop biting if the tide is falling.

 

[Robert Clark]

Possibly a bit late now but if fishing in the Baltic, take note of the tide. It may only be a foot or so but the fish stop biting if the tide is falling.

Please John
Don't add to Martins list of possible fishing excuses.
It's rather long as it is, and he hasn't used them all yet

 

[jumartoo]

We'd researched a National Park, Aukrug, so drove to the village of Aukrug hoping to find information for a walk. We found a noticeboard with a pinned up leaflet for walks in the area. We were approached by a woman speaking German (not surprising really) but no English so she just carried on speaking and waving her phone about showing us an app for the park. Eventually we agreed to agree and we left to find a parking area from where we could do a walk.

Parking found - ✓
Walk route found -✓
Returned safely - ✓

We're now on a Stelplatz at Brokdorf on the River Elbe from where we hope to be able to cycle tomorrow. BUT it's raining again after a heavy storm!!! Story of our trip!!!

 

[Scout]

If its any consolation it raining here as well

 

[DavidG58]

we have nearly caught up with you (again) bringing the sun with us

Germany for us tomorrow, looking for a river side location, may still be a day behind you this time tomorrow get running

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[jumar]

Please John
Don't add to Martins list of possible fishing excuses.
It's rather long as it is, and he hasn't used them all yet

I'll have you know that I do not need any assistance in coming up with excuses for not catching any fish on the occasional days I didn't. I was only complying with the EU FISH QUOTA...as simple as that.

 

[Scout]

its called fishing not chatching.......

 

[jumartoo]

Seen on the river yesterday (heading away from Hamburg). Wonder what's in all those containers?

And today as we left we saw another Chinese named ship carrying the same type of containers.

We've had our cycle ride and it was a bit of a disaster as we ended up in an industrial zone with lovely views of cement works, steel works, power stations etc.

I did take a photo of a colourful chimney though.

We're now on a Stelplatz at Glückstadt on the water's edge. We've shopped in Aldi (beer and wine at normal prices) and are waiting for a lasagne to heat up in the Cadac (first time for this). The ferry goes from here and that's probably tomorrow! The town looks nice so maybe a stroll there later.

We've just calculated we have almost 600km to do so we do need to get on the road and start our short hops as from tomorrow.

 

[Scout]

Judith your culanary skills amaze me, can you do garlic bread on that too

 

[jumartoo]

Judith your culanary skills amaze me, can you do garlic bread on that too

Phil no skill required today, bought the lasagne ready made . We put a foccacia wrapped in foil in top to heat through also.
It did work, although it took quite a long time. (We don't have an oven, so alternatives have to be tried).

We had a glass of Australian Shiraz with it. Didn't make that either

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[Jenben]

Phil no skill required today, bought the lasagne ready made . We put a foccacia wrapped in foil in top to heat through also.
It did work, although it took quite a long time. (We don't have an oven, so alternatives have to be tried).

We had a glass of Australian Shiraz with it. Didn't make that either

We find it works best cooking lasagne if you do it from room temperature rather than straight from the fridge and if you create a trivet to allow the heat to circulate (ours is a foil food container with some holes punched in it which we balance the lasagne on top of).

Hope the van is ok Judith as it sounded like you might have a problem .

 

[jumartoo]

We find it works best cooking lasagne if you do it from room temperature rather than straight from the fridge and if you create a trivet to allow the heat to circulate (ours is a foil food container with some holes punched in it which we balance the lasagne on top of).

Hope the van is ok Judith as it sounded like you might have a problem .

We made a couple of crumpled foil circles to hold the tray above the flame and it worked.

The van isn't right. The wheel needs to come off and everything behind it investigating. Whatever is behind it!!! If it holds out till the UK it will have a thorough overhaul. It's the same wheel as the one with the brake problem in Norway so there's an underlying problem that needs to be sorted.

 

[Jenben]

We made a couple of crumpled foil circles to hold the tray above the flame and it worked.

The van isn't right. The wheel needs to come off and everything behind it investigating. Whatever is behind it!!! If it holds out till the UK it will have a thorough overhaul. It's the same wheel as the one with the brake problem in Norway so there's an underlying problem that needs to be sorted.

Oh dear that's a pain, fingers crossed you can get back to the UK and get it sorted, it feels like you are near to crossing back but I guess this might hamper your progress.

 

[Scout]

Oh dear that's a pain, fingers crossed you can get back to the UK and get it sorted, it feels like you are near to crossing back but I guess this might hamper your progress.

Ditto on that, my internet is down so working of off my tablet data, (i hate bt)

 

[DavidG58]

that was clever, stay in the same place or more or less let us race past you again

we are now down at Soltau had a similar shopping experience to you, found a Netto, what had cost nearly £80 only €25

heading towards France tomorrow, might stop in or near Cologne on the way

hope you get home OK, we are close enough to help if needed, but my assistance is spiritual, not good at the doing things but do shout if you think we c an even just ferry you somewhere, but please get south of Hamburg, we have just had our worst drive of the whole trip

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[jumartoo]

that was clever, stay in the same place or more or less let us race past you again

we are now down at Soltau had a similar shopping experience to you, found a Netto, what had cost nearly £80 only €25

heading towards France tomorrow, might stop in or near Cologne on the way

hope you get home OK, we are close enough to help if needed, but my assistance is spiritual, not good at the doing things but do shout if you think we c an even just ferry you somewhere, but please get south of Hamburg, we have just had our worst drive of the whole trip

Safe journey.

I think we'll manage to get back. We have 7 days to get to the Hook so we can do short distances and keep the wheel coolish.

Now just for posterity here's a photo of sun. We had some today!!!

And a photo of the Stelplatz. €10 in an envelope.

 

[DavidG58]

I told you we would bring you some sun

 

[jumartoo]

I told you we would bring you some sun

 

[Bailey58]

Ah Gluckstadt, we were there last year but last week as it was a Sunday we took the Hamburg route, mile upon mile of coned roadworks but no work and no lorries on a Sunday so we maintained 80kph but it was tedious in the extreme.

 

[jumartoo]

Ah Gluckstadt, we were there last year but last week as it was a Sunday we took the Hamburg route, mile upon mile of coned roadworks but no work and no lorries on a Sunday so we maintained 80kph but it was tedious in the extreme.View attachment 186843 View attachment 186844 View attachment 186845

We were going to "Do" Hamburg on Sunday but decided to spend longer here, take the ferry and wander back slowly. We have the time and it keeps our speed slow with the pesky wheel problem.

Are there any "worth visiting" places between here and the "Hook" do you know???

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