Fri 28th - Sat 29th June - Windy Grenaa - Ebeltoft - Århus

Fri 28th

‘The best laid schemes … !’  Unfortunately, the wind increased overnight and we awoke to a strong force 6, gusting 7, which made a long trip into the teeth of it not a sensible option.  In fact the wind has been really strong all day, despite some sunny periods and hardly any rain, and you can feel the motion even in the marina.

So I helped Charles catch up on some of his work in the morning, then set off to the smart-looking swimming bath and spa – only to find that it closed at 3pm on a Friday!  I’ve got used to the fact that things close early here, but didn’t quite expect that!

Anyway, the pool is situated in a huge, forested country park, with miles of cycle tracks, bridleways and footpaths, so I explored on my little fold-up bike and probably cycled 6 or 7 miles through the trees.  It was lovely, actually quite sunny at this point, and a bit sheltered from the wind in the forest.  I didn’t have my camera with me, so you’ll have to imagine it – lots of trees!  I only saw 4 or 5 people the whole time, so it felt like a wilder, more remote place than it was.

I came out by the beach – several miles of lovely soft sand – and went for a long walk and paddle in the shallows.  This time I took a possibly slightly fuzzy photo on my phone …

Again, I only saw a handful of people – it really is too cold and blustery to want to sit on the beach or swim – just one kite surfer out there.  But it was beautiful and an exhilarating walk in the windy conditions.  I rescued a couple of beached jellyfish – the locals are quite right – they don’t sting!

So back to the boat and to make plans for tomorrow … depending on the wind, of course!

Sat 29^th

Alas, still too windy, blowing a good force 6-7 again, so we decided to spend a day sightseeing.  This was quite a palaver by public transport.  We walked 2 miles along the river to the bus station in Grenaa, then spent an hour in a bus winding through the Danish countryside and small villages.  The countryside is attractive, very flat at first, then low rolling hills, and it’s very neat and tidy, quite groomed – fields of crops and lots of poppies and wild flowers.

We arrived in Ebeltoft and visited the Frigate Jylland (Jutland) which dates from 1862 and is one of the largest wooden warships still intact; it also has an engine, one of the first to have both sails and engine.  The funnel can be lowered and the propeller retracted when the sails are being used …

Here is Charles at the wheel, realising his dream of a bigger boat!

We then went to the Modern Glass Museum, which had an exhibition of ocean creatures …

… and other glass artworks ...

We explored the old part of Ebeltoft …

… then took another bus for 1 ¼ hours to Århus – again a pleasant meander through rolling countryside, farms and villages.

Århus is a much bigger place and seemed quite lively, despite the fact that shops here generally close at 1pm on a Saturday afternoon!  Here is a typical street …

… an eye-catching mural on the end of a terrace …

… the canal through the town …

… the pavement cafes in the sun where we had lunch …

… and the theatre.

We took the train from Århus back to Grenaa (1 ½ hours), then had the 2 miles walk back along the river …

… to the marina.

By now, the sun was out and it was quite warm, but still incredibly windy.  The forecast says it will moderate overnight, so fingers crossed we can leave for Sweden in the morning!