Wind, rain and Danes

After driving up from Hamburg yesterday, we stayed the night in the tiny village Husum-Ballum in (or near) Waddensea National Park. The weather was pretty terrible overnight with the wind rocking the camper and rain clattering on the roof.
We woke up to slightly better weather though and after a light breakfast we hit the road north to visit the sea.
First stop was Vadnhavncetret (the Wadden Sea Centre) – an information and art centre in another tiny village. Rather than go inside, as it was dry we took a guided walk around the local area. We learnt that the coast had been part of German defences during the Second World War and that the land had been drained for farming with a large embankment built to keep out the sea.

We then headed down to the sea and the road that goes across to Mandø island (through the sea!). The sticks poking out of the sea guide the way. As we left a group of school kids were about to cross using waders and sticks to feel their way!

Yala loved playing in the water. A welcome respite from the stress of travelling.

A large pole showed the height of various North Sea storm surges over the years.

After a quick bite to eat we heady inland and northwards to what passes for mountains in Denmark.

At not quite 171m high, the twin peaks of Møllehøj and Ejer Bavnhøj are not particularly challenging to start with. However the car park right next to the summit made getting to the top particularly easy! That said, with dogs not allowed on the former, we only managed the one, but at least it got us back out of the rain quicker.

A monument at the top of one of Denmark’s two tallest hills.

We then headed further north along the country roads towards Silkeborg. At the end of one of these narrow roads through the forest was the large and almost completely empty car park for the Himmelbjerget. Once thought to be the highest mountain in Denmark, it’s actually only 147m (so some way off!).
In the Nordic mythology, Himmelbjerget is the highest mountain in the world of the gods, Asgaard. The God, Heimdal, lives on Himmelbjerget. He sits at the end of the rainbow, Bifrost, and makes sure that no giants ever manage to sneak into Asgaard.

Unfortunately for us there were no rainbows, just rain, but there was at least a glimpse of a fantastic view, which must look even better on a clear day.

The tower at the top of the hill is a memorial to King Frederik 7th who gave Denmark its Constitution and Democracy.

For less that a pound (10 kroner) you can go to the top and get a better view.

We scurried back through the rain to our camper past the Himmelbjerget Hotel, which looked more like the Overlook Hotel as it was obviously shut up for the winter.

We didn’t wait to see if there was a caretaker position available and headed off to a campsite to the north of Silkeborg. We had the place pretty much to ourselves save a few farm animals and some permanent residents.

Hopefully the weather will improve tomorrow as we’re off to the beach!