Carra Tidings

At 9nm, it was a short but exciting sail across the Store Belt – one of the main commercial shipping routes in Denmark – we were doing 8 knots and needed to cross a procession of large container ships. It was like crossing the M25 on a zimmer frame! Safely on the other side – we could relax, there is much more open water sailing here, as you are not having to watch out for a minefield of rocks lurking beneath the water, like you do in Sweden.

We tied up in the centre of Denmark’s former Capital Nyborg – a beautiful town. No sooner had the last rope been tied off, the bikes were off the boat and we took the bus to Kerteminde. A quick lunch stop , then we cycled to the Viking burial ship at Ladby. I suddenly had a déjà vu feeling of coming here when I was 11 with my parents on a family holiday. I would have loved to ask my mother if I was correct, but that ship has sadly sailed.

Reconstructed Viking House

Original decoration on the longship

On entering the burial mound, the door shut behind you and your eyes slowly grew accustomed to the dimly lit Viking longship – or the imprint of the ship left in the mud, the metal studs remained, and incredibly the original anchor and chain and the bones of 11 horses still are there. The anchor shaped as fisherman’s anchor is today. Quite a memorable experience looking at a ship that was from around 920 AD. As a result of tomb robbers, most of the treasures and the body of the King had disappeared centuries ago, speculation is that he was the first King of Denmark.

Outside on the estuary, lay a reconstructed version of the boat – quite a sophisticated sailing ship. Onshore there were various activities allowing you to channel you inner Viking. Mags has now been converted to the joys of whittling.

Back in Nyborg, we explored the old town on our bikes, not so wise due to the bone shaking cobble stones – next time was by foot. But it was a beautiful town which still had the castle and many ancient 14^th century buildings. After dinner we noticed a British Ensign. It turned out to be Vicky and her husband – we have shared the platform with Vicky on many Baltic days at the CA. They invited us onboard for drinks.

After a couple of days, we moved on and sailed to Lundeborg. Seconds after the boat was attached, the ipad was on  and we were watching the Final. Neither of us watch football – wrong shaped ball, but we were both supporting England. This was a first for Mags – she managed to overcoming years of brainwashing and was actually supporting England! Lundeborg was  a quaint little harbour with lots of craft stalls and a Viking play park – which this time we resisted.