Monday, July 26, 2010
Bornholm, Denmark
Bornholm, Danish island off the south east coast of Sweden (pop 45,000);
Up out of Endelave, we set course east across into Swedish airspace to skirt their south coast before heading out south east of Sweden to Bornholm which is part of Denmark (though you would think it is Swedish to look at a map). We heard some inbound Swedes on an instrument approach and thought that we might not be able to land ahead of them but due to some slick class D controlling and a somewhat truncated circuit pattern on my part, we eased down onto the touch down marks on the vast tarmac runway (hilariously easy after the grass strips recently) and taxied up to fuel, which although breathtakingly expensive, was manned by a champ who had worked in the Australian Antarctic for a Danish contracting company. They even had some of the running in oil that we like, so we nabbed a spot of that, tied down and loaded the trailer for the trip to what turns out to be the best camp ground I've seen. It isn't even secluded – right between the airport and the largest town with 1/3 of the island's population. I think the people being so cruisy and polite makes the biggest contribution to the awesomeness. The brilliant facilities or the multiple non crowded swimming beaches don't hurt either.
I'd have liked to flop today but we ended up cycling over to the other side of the island. I think that must have been 5 times the total that I've done this year so far. I hope my legs come back soon. The fish smokeries here rock. Their chimney towers are an iconic image and the Tuborg beers and low key beach smoked prawns/herring/salmon make an A1 cycling break.
Fresh and smoked wood;
Classic smoke house on the water;
Smoke house converted to residence;
The centre of the island is gently undulating and densely wooded in parts;
Bornholm has turnded out to be a lovely place, hence the extra day here. The cycle paths around the island are mostly firm dirt through a canopy of lush oaks and conifer plantings. The swimming beaches and campings are brilliant so it seems to be the ideal place for a comfortable and fun cycle touring.
I've just done a flight plan north to Stockholm. Looks to be 3 hrs and 70 litres of fuel. Thankfully our detination there has car petrol which is a prefereable less expensive option that we can use. Ska Edeby is where we are heading. It is on the island to the west of the main Stockholm island and we have been allowed to stay for several days to hopefully we'll be able to cycle into town easily and explore. I'm very excitied, I've been waiting a long time to see Stockholm and be in Sweden!
Endelave, Denmark
Endelave, Danish island off east coast of Denmark (pop 190);
Endelave is home to a famous airfield at the summer farm of Jens Toft.
The place is Danish aviation institution and we arrived overhead to see a topless original model A ford (with Jens, 84 n.o. at the wheel it transpired) driving along the side of the airstrip. With a friendly wing rock greeting we losed throttle, deployed flap and glided out over the water for the scenic approach over the rocky beach right onto the idyllic 600m grass runway.
'Spot the airfield' (look for planes, the strip runs across the photo);
Approach;
Touchdown!
Being late Saturday afternoon in summer, there were 5 or 6 small planes visiting, several of types that we had not seen before including two K7's, a post war Danish design that Jens told us all about (his favourite plane).
We pitched our tent in the orchard next to the field and went for tea and Danish cakes (yes, the type you might guess!) with Jens, Karin and some of their family that were visiting. They were impressively interesting and happy.
Along with having owned 130 planes in his time, Jens is a bike maniac who has assembled about 50 old fixed gear bikes (being flat, Danish bikes are very solid and of fixed gear, with more practical luggage carrying fixings than sporting intentions) that he has painted bright red for people to borrow upon arrival. A few years ago the pub (there being only one) was threatened with closure and was bought by a collaborative local syndicate , the bikes therefore are Jen's way of encouraging people to be able to make it to the pub upon arrival. Sterling sentiment and laudable motive. Who would we be to resist?
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Denver, UK to Bad Essen, Germany
Not perturbed by blusterous conditions over the UK, we decided to push ahead with our departure in light of an impending powerful low pressure system. Winds were so strong over the channel that we weren't sure that we would want to go any further than Calais. The necessary fuelling stop at Earl's Coln in Essex subjected us to 'hit the roof' strength wind shear on final approach. Helen has learned to not yell into her microphone when that happens these days which is a huge improvement. Once in France, we landed at Calais to clear immigration into the Shengan area. The wind was straight down the runway but strong enough that we only making 30 knot over the ground. We only needed a few meters of their runway!
Once on the continent, the weather was vastly improved and we had the advantage of a 15kt tail wind up the coast into Belgium, over the Netherlands and into Germany to our destination Bad Essen where we wanted to meet up with a friend of Helen's.
I must have enough shots of 'weird and whacky things from above' for a decent sized coffee book by now. Here were a few on this leg. We often see things that we don't understand and then try to work out later. A bag of weird Swedish lollies in the post to anyone who can set us straight on these;
Dutch horse race track in the middle of one of their inland fresh water lakes?
Lock system that needs a large concrete area around the tight channels (bottom right)?
Dyke wall with funky green tinge sand bar patterns due to tides?
River flood barrier?
Nothing too puzzling about this one of Oostend, Belgium. I just like the wind turbines with a PV panel array (centre of pic, above the river);
Friday, July 23, 2010
Bad Essen
We spend a few night with Helen's friend Jan who is a lovely fellow. He gave us an expert tour of Osnabrueck and showed us the local castle which was showing a summer garden exhibition.
H has more details on her site - check them out over there.
I was told to park next to the Focke Wolf. Of course;
Turbine inspection;
Completed Plane
Well here she is at last, resplendent with stripes and undergoing final shake downs with the guys from Denver UK;
Helen flying while I photograph the panel (my favourite part of the build);
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Foxton 'staircase' of 10 descending locks - Helen closing gate behind us;
While waiting for our final permit to fly to be issued, we made a narrow boat voyage with some truly balanced and inspired Canadians that we met. They have spent the past 5 summers or so exploring the UK inland waterways on their boat, 'On a Whim'. Narrow boat pace turns out to be a properly relaxing way to see both countryside and the lovely canal facing yards of good properties in small towns. The summer seems to be longer and hotter than usual, at least judging by the number of second brood moor hens and ducks. Dov and Rebecca cycle around to explore all the areas that they go to which works well as all you need to do it pull over to the side of the canal, peg the boat down and cycle along.
Helen and Rebecca descending in a lock, Dov and I are working the sluice gates;
Canal passage has right of way over railways and roads - a gent in the 60's took it to the railways with an old act of parliament on his side, forcing them to build new higher bridges over the canals to allow canal boats to navigate, opening up a new era for the inland waterway network. Today, the whole country is open to recreational boating!
I'd better get this shot off and jump back on swiftish;
Labels: narrow boat, northamptonshire
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