18 July 2014 (sunny and hot) 65 km

Last view of Helsingor as we leave Denmark on the ferry to Helsingborg, Sweden

Last train was at 11.06pm……first train this morning at 4am…..that coincided with the bells chiming to alert anyone on, or near the tracks, that in fact ,this huge beast is bearing down on you……have you seen it …..? The bird song also began at that time followed shortly after by the rubbish trucks. Once again though…. If you want inner city camping……this is the price you pay……well….that…. and a hefty amount of coin…….!

Up and into the showers at 6. 40am and after my 5 minutes was up and the water completely stopped, I cringed at the thought of Julia standing with conditioner still in her hair not being able to wash it out……..You see, at most camps you pay for hot water….. and when it runs out, it just goes cold………not here, water ceases to exist. Fortunately Ju was fine and we met back at the tent for a morning cuppa….. accompanied by train and bird song…!

Julia here….Ate breakfast and started to pack up the tent but noticed there was quite a bit of condensation on the inside of the flysheet.  So I decided to go get the password for the internet and post the blog while we waited for the flysheet todry out.  Found a shady area outside near the kitchen and while I was waiting for the photos to upload slowly, one at a time, I heard a young woman and a boy of about 13 talking and I heard them mention New Zealand and Maori several times.  So I said “Excuse me, I can hear you talking and I don’t understand what you are saying but I have heard you mention New Zealand and Maori and I’m from New Zealand.”  The young woman said “Oh how fantastic!  I was just explaining to Johann that a lot of different countries talk English but how people from Australia and New Zealand have a different accent.  I had also heard that the original inhabitants from NZ were blue eyed and blonde and the Maoris ate them all!!  I told her I hadn’t heard that before and told her our version of history and we had a nice chat.  The pictures were taking too long to download though so I went back to Pete, figuring the tent must be dry by now, (which it was) and we packed up and headed to the library building for free, fast wifi.  Got the blog uploaded quick as  and .there and then cycled to the ferry.

Ju waits for the ferry - oblivious to Pete's shenanigans

The day had dawned hot and hazy…..just the way I wanted it to be…….

I was catching the ferry under full cover of broad daylight…..it was the last thing they’d expect…..whoever they were……

I had my 3.2mm Orca wetsuit… a pair of snorkling flippers [used only once in Fiji ] a swiss army knife and a piece of #8 fencing wire [which always comes in handy ]

I planned to leave Ju on board the ferry [not wanting any harm to befall her ] and  using my 1972 Bronze medallion 25 metre breaststroke skills……. Stealthily swim to the shore.

BBrrr I yelped as my body hit the freezing cold water…. 500 metres before the ferry docked.

I struck out for the shore……but after only 15 metres [and 42 years without practise] I found myself spluttering about in the water……so went to plan B ……and doggy paddled the rest of the way.

I came out of the sea approx.. 1km from the ferry terminal on a beach packed with sun worshippers.

Fortunately…..I had also packed my snorkelling mask….. so onlookers had no idea who I  was.

As I not very gracefully tried to climb out of my wetsuit……my mind was solely focused on locating my contact when I turned and saw Julia standing there with a nice Swedish pastry…….and I suddenly forgot about everything ……..except the delicious custard ….with cream inner….. wrapped in the most delightful tasting pastry you could imagine.

First view of Helsingborg

Helsingborg

Back in the real world, we changed some money to Swedish Kroner and set out to see some of Helsingborg.  This city was a great introduction to Sweden with  castle on the hill and plenty of modern shops amongst the historical buildings.  Being situated on the seaside was a bonus, especially because we had such a cracking day to visit.

  After touring round the city we felt the need for a swim so found a not too crowded beach on the outskirts of town.  The summer holidays are in full swing now and the town beaches were very crowded.  Nice beach, clearer water than Denmark but still can’t beat Taranaki when we haven’t had rain for three days or more.  Carried on up the coast but the road took a turn inland and up one of the bigger hills we’ve had in Europe but it was an easy gradient, so no sweat.  

Some Swedish houses

We were alternating from beach to forest to beach initially and then to countryside – with plenty of wheat fields!  Swedish houses remind us a lot of NZ houses in that they are all unique rather than looking just like their neighbour and some of the designs would look right at home in NZ.  Time was pushing on now and we hadn’t had lunch so we were on the lookout for a supermarket.  Found one about 2.30pm and had lunch at 3pm in a nearby park in the shade.  Carried on up the coast and then turned inland to cut across to Angelsholm but unfortunately this eventually took us on a busy road with no cycle path after having enjoyed about 5km on deserted farm roads.  We got off this road as quickly as we could (after about 7km) and again had lovely, lazy farm roads through villages the rest of the way to Angelsholm.

Did some shopping and headed off in search of a campsite. No signs for one anywhere…. We even had to ask a couple of people if we were still headed for the centre of town. Eventually arrived……still no signs for camping. Looked at our map and took a guess. Just as we were thinking of giving up……. Here comes a sign.

Pedalled to camp to find it chocka block. As with the camp in Helsingor, we asked if they could squeeze us in….. but no chance. Julia had spied a bike route for us to take and suggested we free camp…..so off we set.

About 2km up the coast, we pull over to fill up water bottles for the night and decide we’ll take a swim. Great beach,,,, hot day…. and it was a good decision. Feeling refreshed, we were just about to head off, when I saw a group of vans in a field. Ju asked if we could stay and we found out it was a free camp. Able to stay one night then move on. Brilliant…!  Tent up in quick time and cycled back to campground to utilise their shop. Got stuff for breakfast and we were set for the night.  Perfect pitch with soft ground, short grass, right by the beach and even had toilets by the beach.  To cap it off we had a spectacular sunset over Skalderviken Bay.

Didn’t count on the congregation of boy racers and teenage girl groupies in an adjoining carpark, ripping it up. All in all though, they were done by eleven and even though I was expecting trouble in the night….. there was none…….good nights sleep for us both.