Tuesday August 16, Regstrup – Soro

August 17, 2016

Tuesday August 16, Regstrup – Soro – Roskilde

Driving over the causeway before the bridge

What a cracker of a day we have had, huge thanks to Pia in Soro for giving us a real Danish welcome.

Apart from a shower at midday we have had clear skies and very pleasant 20 degree temperatures.

Leisurely start after emptying tanks and refilling with fresh water. Pleased to have almost dry washing, so all good on the domestic front.

Our son Dean was involved with World Skills for a number of years as manager of the New Zealand team, attending three competitions in different parts of the world, and he got to know Pia Hegner from Denmark during that time. He made contact, telling her about the “olds” travelling around in Scandinavia and did she have any suggestions for us. Not only did Pia email back with loads of ideas but offered for us to visit her in Soro – it was such a great opportunity for us to visit a “local” that we couldn’t turn it down.

So set off about 10 this morning, with the first stage crossing the 18km bridge between Funen and Zealand. What a great drive on such a beautiful morning, pretty spectacular. The toll to cross was 365 kroner approx NZ$70, a bit expensive because of our length which is well over the 6m cutoff. But a great drive.

Soro was only a few minutes’ drive from the motorway, and at 11, Pia was outside waving to us and greeting us with big hugs. What a wonderful lady who spoke excellent English.

We sat over a coffee and poured over maps, and have lots of Post It stickers all over with great places to visit on our way north. Such invaluable information for us along with a Swedish map.

Pia had organised a traditional special lunch for us of Danish Open Sandwiches, all of which not only looked great but tasted fantastic. She made us three different varieties, all on a rye bread and eaten with a knife and fork. The first was spicy pickled herring on slices of hard boiled eggs topped with a mayonnaise (I think!) and capers and onion. Number two was called the “Veterinarians night snack” which had a thick layer of pork liver pate, slices of aspic, slices of cured veal and topped with sliced raw onion and sprouts. Number three was a vegetarian summer sandwich with a thick spread of smoked soft cheese mixed with chopped radishes and mayo, then chopped tomatoes and chives. The flavour combinations were just superb, and we loved them all…washed down with a Danish pilsner. Needless to say we have needed very little for dinner tonight!

Then Pia took us for a drive around her town in her car, with Ian enjoying being a passenger. We parked in the town square which many old timber framed houses, painted in bright golds and other striking colours. The large monastery church is huge, in fact one of the country’s largest and was built in the 12^th century. The interior features bright coloured frescos, with some magnificent carved wooden features. The huge organ, which I have read is from the 16^th century would have really impressed you Dean Williams!

We then walked on through the Soro Academy which was established by Christian IV as an elite school for nobleman’s sons. Such a collection of wonderful buildings, and it is still run as a school today with boarding as well as day pupils. The grounds are parklike overlooking a lake. Wandering through them today with the warm sun shining had me once again finding it hard to believe that I was in such a place.

Pia then drove us around the country areas surrounding the town and out to a round church, beautiful, unfortunately it was locked which was quite unusual. It was 5.30 by the time we said our farewell and a 45 minute drive north to a campground in the town Roskilde, overlooking the water. So nice to sit outside on a balmy evening enjoying the view with a glass of wine.