Monday September 26, Struer, Denmark

The fishing boats sitting on the beach at Lokken, somehow they looked
as though they had been placed their just for photos!

We never cease to be amazed at the service you get from strangers when you have a problem. This morning we woke to a pitter patter on the roof, it was raining a bit and with only a cover over the driver’s window were a little concerned, but thankfully it didn’t get any heavier.

Ian popped along to the Yacht Club office and had a chat with the guy about our problem. He knew just the man to sort it out and gave us the address, and after a few navigation issues with Jilly when roads were closed due to road works, and she couldn’t understand us turning around, we got there in the end.

Rain on the windscreen as we had the window fixed.

The chap didn’t have good English but enough to know we had a problem. He came out to the van and spent at least half an hour pulling off the door panel and testing everything. He thought there was probably a broken wire between the door and the power supply, but he was able to plug another power supply into the motor and finally we got the window up. We will get it fixed properly later, but in the meantime Ian has taped over the switch so it can’t be used. He went to pay, but the chap wouldn’t take any money so eventually Ian left him with 100KR to buy a few beers for the staff. Just so impressed.

And by this stage the rain had stopped, the sun came out and it was very warm and time to take the jeans off and back into shorts and t-shirt. It was late morning when we finally hit the road after picking up a few supplies, and we headed west to the town of Lokken on the coast, which is a beach holiday destination. It seemed kind of weird as the sun was pouring down, it was really warm and there was hardly anyone around. We wandered through the town and a few tourists were sitting in the bars and cafes having lunch but not much action at all. The best part of travelling out of high season is that we can actually get a park for Ruakiwi as I am sure that in the middle of summer we wouldn’t have been able to get near to this place.

We walked over the sand dunes to the beach and were impressed with huge sweeps of white sand, although wonder if anyone actually swims here in the summer as suspect the water would be a tad cool.  There were little white beach huts placed along the shore and had read that these are taken inland during the winter, presume you rent one for the day. The looked rather odd as the sand was building up around them and they were on different angles. Also some rather large fishing boats were sitting on the sand…they are obviously launched off the beach. A rather intriguing place but well worth a visit.

Back in the van and we continued south on HW11 driving through rolling farm country and in many places felt like we were back in NZ. The road took us along the shores of Limfjord, wondered what we would find with a fjord after Norway, but it really is just a large body of water similar to a harbour, although it actually cuts this peninsula in half. Not sure why they call it a fjord. Parts of it are quite shallow and we stopped at the protected nature area called Vejlerne, which covers an area of 6000 acres. Evidently is was originally below sea level but now has some of the biggest salt meadows in the country. We went into the thatched roof observation buildings and checked out the huge number of birds. Also saw a lot of cattle walking through the wet areas, unlike New Zealand where people have issues about stock in waterways. Over here they rely on the cattle to keep all the vegetation down so the birds can breed, such a different attitude.

It really was a pleasant drive on a sunny afternoon and Ian is enjoying the roads after Norway. It was after four and I had been online checking out some great apps that Conny had recommended for finding camping spots. Found what looked to be a good spot at a Marina in Struer so checked it out and it was perfect. Full facilities and a view out across the marina to the Limfjord…so much better than being in a campground and not as expensive. Pulled out the chairs and sat in the sun with a cold beer..perfect. Just before dark we had a good walk around the marina which has a huge number of boats. Evidently it is not far to walk into town, so might have a look around in the morning before we leave. 

Actually got up early enough to catch the sunrise this morning, just as the rain started.

A bit of fun!

Bikes are everywhere, but with the contour of the country, it is not surprising.

No one around in Lokken on a perfect day.

This old thatched roof cottage sitting in the dunes at Lokken

Quirky beach huts

Not sure what these birds were, just a few of the thousands at the nature reserve - times when I would like a bigger lens!.

Twilight at the marina