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| A Struer morning |
The sun was shining again this
morning and we walked into town from the marina before we left. We have seen a
number of really nice towns in Denmark, and Struer was another with a cobbled
pedestrian only centre that makes for a relaxing meander. Picked up a gift for
a friend’s new baby in New Zealand and the lady was so helpful, wrapping it for
me, putting it in an envelope and then pointing me in the direction of the Post
Office. The shops really showcase the Danish eye for design with their simple
lines and subtle understated use of colour. Perhaps it is a good thing that I
can’t fit much in our bags to take home!
Walked back to the van via
another part of the marina where there were a number of classic boats including
a three masted sailing ship, all with details about their history, which we
couldn’t really read although could see their dates which were from the early
1900’s.
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay in
this town. We continued on our southerly
drive, heading to the Vejers Strand (beach in Danish) where Conny and Gerhart
had spent a couple of days. It was just over a two hours’ drive, but it took us
much of the day as we ambled down the coast. Part of the road was a very narrow
strip between the North Sea and more “fjords” or inland waterways. The view of
the ocean was blocked by huge high sand dunes which in fact we were very
grateful for as the wind had got up and was really blowing from the west. This is a prime area for wind and kite surfing
and there were so many out on the water enjoying the wind.
We saw many thatched roof
houses and barns, which used the reeds that were growing in abundance around
the water areas. No doubt years ago this was a readily available product for
building and has continued to be used, even with new houses.
Stopped at the port town of
Hvide Sande for a late lunch, parked beside the wharf. In the 1930’s a canal
was built here to give access to the inland port of Ringkobing as the strong
winds caused much sand migration, often closing this access. Now Hvide Sande
has a big fishing fleet and fish factories and it’s very busy. We wandered off after lunch to check out the
boats and the town and hadn’t gone far when we stopped to watch a fishing boat
pull in. Had a chat to them about what they were catching and found out that the
skipper and owner, Jens Fredrichsen had spent much of his working life on oil
rigs, including time in Perth, and spoke great English. His father was
Norwegian and mother Scottish. We had a long chat and heard all about the
fishing industry here. He catches crabs and lobsters using this smaller boat
for day trips along with a 20 metre boat that he takes out for 3 or 4 days at a
time. Ian went on board and he showed him around, and delighted when he gave us
a very fresh lobster for dinner, still twitching! Although it was still sunny
and warm, he said that there was a big storm with high winds coming in.
Finally arrived at Vejers
Strand late afternoon and found Conny and Gerhart out on the beach in their
camper where there were many cars and campers parked, but the wind had picked
up here and the sand was swirling around so we all headed back to the
campground for shelter. I didn’t take any photos on the beach…didn’t want sand
in my camera!
Had another great evening
catching up on where we had both been over the last week, and thoroughly
enjoyed an entrée of lobster which we cooked up outside in a pot on the
barbecue. (Big Ed, didn’t get my toes in the North Sea, but have now had a
Scandinavian lobster!)
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| Some "yarn bombing" in Struer |
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| This sculpture made me laugh...very clever face plant |
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| The wonderful old sailing ship in the harbour at Struer |
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| Some of the thatch roofed houses along the coast, the reeds they use are in the foreground. |
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| Had a great chat with Jens...and a lobster! |
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| Jen's larger boat, presently getting some work done on it, |
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| Tonight's entree |
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