It’s raining gently again this morning, but we’ve just had a really nice couple of days cycling through northern Zealand.

We caught the ferry from Aarhus (a very pleasant one a half hour trip between Jutland and Zealand. Then rode the 45 kms or so across to Rørvig. We mainly followed regional cycle routes, which took us through Danish holiday towns along the coast. Very pleasant with small rolling hills, lots trees, plenty of holiday houses to look at, and, importantly, a number of pastry shops (see the pastry review for more).

One thing that really struck us was the number of fruit trees in this part of the world. Although not all were fruiting, we found fresh cherries, apples, pears and many different types of plums. I think we drove poor Toby slightly spare by stopping every five minutes to pick fruit…..

blackberries

Cherries

plums

more plums

even more plums

After another short ferry trip, we found a local brew house, and sampled a few of the local beers (the IPA was my favourite). We found it very hard to leave, particularly after Anthony found the big box of free blankets (we all sat round with blankets over our knee, looking like a bunch of geriatrics out for a break from the home).

We eventually found the energy to leave (hunger and the food prices were a big driver) and found a really well set up nature shelter 5kms or so out of town, complete with sleeping platforms and a separate fire pit. It even had wood pre-chopped and waiting for us! A couple more beers around the fire completed a really good day.

The next morning was fine again, so we set off up the coast to Gilleleje. More holiday house scenery and seaside. We even managed to stop for a quick dip in the Baltic Sea. It was chilly, but clear and much nicer than the North Sea we swam in a few days before.

The beaches around here are lovely and, with a complete absence of people, look quite wild and windswept.

Danish beaches in the off season

After Gilleleje, we turned inland and cycled through a large stretch

of forest near Esrum lake. After an hour and half we found another nature camp. This one had four individual shelters (of course we all fought for the best one each) and a central firepit, again with more pre-chopped wood than we could ever use.

We’re off to Copenhagen this morning (another 45km). Just hope the rain holds off for a few more hours…..