Esbjerg to Rudkobing

The clouds were low and threatening as our road trip continued through some of the prettiest towns we've seen in Denmark. It was warm (by our winter temperature standards) and we optimistically donned shorts and T's … then raincoats! Again…
First stop, Ribe! We got there early and, of course, everything was closed (nothing opens until 10 in Scandinavia). That was OK though … we were there for exploring (though I was a little disappointed the Hex Witch Hunt Museum wasn't open yet, if I'm honest.) Ribe is a really, really pretty place with terrace buildings of lovely colours, lovely gardens with wooden bridges and an old water wheel. Of course there were cathedrals and kirks but even I've had enough of religious architecture (Samara is happy about that!). Some of the buildings here are old - really old - but all are lovely.
We took a stop in Sønderborg and wandered around eating ice cream, as you do. There's a large slot (castle) here, an old wooden windmill (a change from the very modern turbines throughout the country) and an opening bridge, allowing tall masted boats through regularly. A great spot on the beach, overlooking the German coast, to eat soft serve.
We joined the queue for an expensive ferry ride across the Little Belt, a stretch of water between the islands of Als and Funen. The clouds hung low and the view was misty and rather murky (on a side note, I confused a poor fellow when I described the weather as murky the other day … not a common English word used for weather here in Denmark apparently). The trip took almost 50 minutes and was a relaxing mode of travel.
The reason (or part thereof) of coming this way was to visit the 4000 year old tomb of King Humble. Yes … more gravesites!! Buried in a megalithic Long Barrow style grave, the King of Humble was laid to rest surrounded by 77 curb stones in a 55m by 8m mound with dolmen. The origins of this long barrow are lost in the mists of time, just like we were almost lost in the mists and mud of a cane field in the midst of a rainstorm! We weren't going to let a bit of rain beat us so we trudged across the paddocks, slipping hysterically in the mud, to find the dolmen in the paddock. It was a bit unkempt and the curb stones were almost obstructed by long grass but it was the only greenery in an otherwise yellow-filled paddock. The dolmen itself was a little underwhelming (Sam's words, not mine) but she did try it on for size (butt first!!). Due to the moishture (you can ask her about that word yourself!) she was only so willing to re-enact the ancient burial!
My cute little white sneakers are no longer white and no longer cute, but we do love a good adventure … in the rain … and the mud. At least it wasn't windy!!! Our shoes are now drying (or trying hard to).Read more