July 7 Harslov-Copenhagen

Today we set out to take a brief walk/hike through the nature preserve near our B&B. More about that later, but first a word or two about our B&B:

I found Gammeleksgarden online, attracted by its description: "Unique 16th-century building where guests reside in the antique detached wing of the hotel. The estate has played a big part in the former sugar industry and while the manor was renovated in 2002 it has retained much of its cultural aspects. Situated in the renovated farmhouse, the restaurant serves simple home cooking, typical Swedish cuisine and includes freshly baked bread."

The place is run by Goergn and Kim, partners who bought the main house and outbuildings from an eccentric recluse in 2001. Goergn previously had owned and operated several companies, ranging from transportation to construction. Kim had owned Sweden's only store devoted exclusively to men's underwear, specializing in "push-up" jockstraps.

The previous owner had lived in the main house for 45 years occupying only one room, with no heat, no hot water, and essentially no contact with any other humans -- or at least as little contact as possible. The place was in consummate disrepair, and the two partners started on a massive restoration/renovation project. The main house where food is prepared and served was built around 1900.

The four guest rooms are housed in one of the detached outbuildings, which is the former farmhand quarters, dating to the 16th century. The rest of the buildings are in transition - eventually the vision is that it will become a conference center capable of handling quite large groups. For the time being, though, there is still a lot of work to do.

Back to the nature walk.

We set out on a trail through a meadow which we shared with grazing cattle.

Eventually we reached the sea, looking out across the sound to Denmark.

Then somehow we got off the trail, and after some time we reached a small fishing village, where we had coffee and cake in a tiny cafe and admired the picturesqe beauty of it all.

By now we were somewhat lost, so we kept walking on the road out of the village, assuming we'd eventually get to a main road and be able to find where we had parked the car.

Well, sort of.

We walked and walked.

We saw some beautiful sights, to be sure.

Eventually we reached a small town.

More walking, more striking scenery, and after covering six or seven miles we found the car and returned to the B&B.

After a rest, what with it being our anniversary and all, we decided to nip over to Copenhagen for dinner. Our hosts offered to drop us off at the ferry and pick us up on our return, so we proceeded to cross the channel separating Sweden and Denmark, and we took the train to Copenhagen. Walked around the city for a while.....