Toilet Texting...

The Danish rain still got us wet
The country's rather pricey,
But the ride was flat and easy
And the camp spots super nicey! 

Days 50 - 55         Distance - 345 km

Copenhagen - Lubeck (Germany)

Despite the old fashioned rural feel to Denmark, with its thatched cottages and quaint towns, it was unbelievably modern in other respects. For example, upon locating the public toilets, it comes as a great surprise that one has to send a text message to the 'public-toilet-controller' who then will magically open the door for you. I'm not sure what you're supposed to do if you don't have a mobile!

There had been an algae bloom in the sea - and much of the coastline was deep in seaweed and stank, but we were lucky and found clear places to camp and swim, in the rather surprisingly warm Baltic sea.

There were bridges to cross and ferries to catch to link up the islands...

And churches with their own unique style...

We came across The Barnehoj passage grave (collective tombs) that were erected during the stone age - about 5200 years ago! Men, women and children from the tribes most prominent families were laid to rest in the chamber, along with amber beads, weapons, food and drink. (The wise old budda wasn't quite as old...)

The ferry route across to Germany from Rodbyhavn to Puttgarden was an extremely busy but efficient route. Ferries left every half an hour to make the 45 minute journey, where campsites and towns were packed - Germany is on holiday! After being turned away from one full, pre-booked massive site, we ended up in another town where an international street performing festival was going on. This made a great celebration as we'd clocked up a total of 3000 km!

Onward to Lubeck, and quite an amazing city - full of ancient, wonky buildings, and definitely worth a visit. 

We did a good city tour...until, yet again, another thunder storm stopped play!

I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill...

Hills and headwinds make you feel
Like you're cycling through porridge,
But tiny, tasty, wild berries
Are super things to forage!

Days 43 - 49   Distance 435 km

Kalmar - Copenhagen

Unlike their oversized and somewhat tasteless GM cousins we are so used to buying nowadays, the wild blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and cherry's we have been picking throughout Sweden may be small, but they are bursting with flavour and goodness!

And they kept our spirits up during a too-long week of wild camping. As always, if the weather had been on our side it would have been glorious - but the rain brings mozzies and confinement, the sun brings sweat and sunburn, and the cold winds and waters bring no joy to washing.

Also needing a mention - Steve snapped his chain! Luckily though we carry spares, and Mr Fixit can fix anything, anywhere...

Eventually, fully refreshed after a couple of nights in campsites where we managed to wash our entire wardrobe, we finally had "A Perfect Day!"

The wind was behind us, the roller coaster hills had flattened out, wild berries were abundant and we passed through unexpected scenery and castles...

We even had a mid-afternoon refreshing dip in the sea, and found a great spot to camp!

The tail-wind and the flat lands stayed with us all the way to Malmo, although we were on the edge of the Swedish heatwave and at times the sun was relentless. However, there was a festival going on just outside the campsite where we enjoyed beer and live music, and a great view of the bridge that connects Sweden and Denmark. This is the longest combined road and rail bridge in Europe.

Pedestrians and cyclists are not allowed across, so you have to take the train, and arriving in the middle of Copenhagen on a busy Saturday afternoon was somewhat of a culture shock for us!

Finding it impossible to navigate through the crowds and heat with the bikes loaded up, we decided to abort this city cycle tour and head out. We found a campsite about 20 km south of the city, where we are now sheltering from thunderstorms!