Showing posts with label Vordingborg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vordingborg. Show all posts

Friday, 2 August 2013

Cornwall to Sweden - day 15

Vordingborg, Denmark to Copenhagen, Denmark

Just as I get used to spending Euro's, I find myself with a new currency to contend with - Danish Krona. For most of today I've been horrified by how expensive Denmark is. It turns out that was mostly cause the hostel I stayed in fleeced me, charging me for a whole room, not a bed in a dorm room. Not knowing the value of the Krona with certainty at the time I just paid up, but I've asked for money back... we'll see. It is pretty costly though, more so than Germany.

So it was a shortish day today at about 68 miles, though would have been shorter still if my phone, and therefore sat nav hadn't broken (lets hope it does come back to life again). This happened after just 15 miles, meaning I spent the rest of the day just relying direction from road signs, instinct and, don't laugh, my own shadow! Turns out none of these are particularly accurate, but get you there in the end!

The scenery has been pretty nice, and the people seem to have a bit more character to them than the German's - they actually smile back when you pass them on a bike for instance. Not that I found anything to dislike about the Germans really, they were nice to talk to but just seemed to live up to the stern stereotype you expect.

In Copenhagen now for a day or so, which is at the same latitude as Edinburgh... but a lot warmer. Seems like a great city so far. The day ended unexpectedly watching well over a thousand people come past on rollerskates, led by a Police escort. Not sure what it was all about but it was some sight nonetheless.

Cornwall to Sweden - day 14

Kiel, Germany to Vordingborg, Denmark

After a mizzley start the day opened out quite nice in the afternoon, much to my detriment as I forgot to put suncream on. Burnt. The weather has actually been pretty good for riding this past week, 23 to 29º most days with a mix of sun and cloud. 

Fairly boring morning through the rest of Germany really just following a B-road through more corn and maize fields. 

As I mentioned previously Denmark is spread across a load of islands so mid-afternoon I arrived at Puttgarden and took the 14 mile ferry journey across the Baltic sea. Was interesting to see the train line goes right upto, then onto the ferry - it takes entire trains across to Denmark!

Once on terra firma again, the sat nav told me I'd get to the hostel at 8.30... except the reception shut at 8.00! It was a race against the clock, and I had 50 odd miles to do so I put the hammer down and pedalled like mad. To my aid, the Danes are mad on cycling and all the roads have very good cycle paths by them. It's also pretty flat, and with a tailwind as well I eventually got to the hostel at 7.55pm! Except the receptionist had gone home long ago anyway and left a note saying 'phone me for door code'. All that effort for nothing! Oh well, bit of fun anyway.

It surprised even me to realise I did 115 miles of riding, long day!