Børkop, Southern Denmark - Thursday, 28 July

Geoff
Our last day in Jutland before we move on to Denmark's middle island of Fyn. From Horsens, we drove to Jelling. Lonely Planet refers to it as "an apparently nondescript village" but that it is "a kind of spiritual touchstone for the Danes, and virtually all of them will visit it at some in their lives." It is a Unesco World Heritage Site, it being the birth place of Christianity in Denmark in the 900s AD. There is an ancient white-painted church (which, unfortunately, was locked so we couldn't see the frescoes inside) but outside were two historically significant rune stones, two huge burial mounds and, across the road, a visitor centre giving much visual information about the monuments and their importance in Danish history.

Jelling church

We moved on only a few miles to where we had planned to stay the night, free places for camper vans in a forested area but with water, loo disposal and loos. However, we found that the loos had been subjected to an arson attack and we were plagued with hover flies. We had lunch there but decided to find somewhere else for the night. About an hour's drive away was Børkop, where we are now. It is, again, a marina, and we are in part of a car park designated for camper vans, with water and hook up. A short walk away, we have use of the club house facilities. It is altogether very good. Ours is the only camper van here tonight.

Whilst doing the washing up, I fell into conversation with a Danish man (a boater) who, after enthusing about Midsomer Murders (a Swede, this morning, had done the same), gave me a simple lesson in Danish with regard to the additional vowels they have in their alphabet - å - this is the modern version of "aa"; æ - this sounds like a cross between "a" and "e" and is a long syllable; ø is similar to the German "ö". One place we shall not have time to visit is the island of Ærø (which Lonely Planet says is pronounced "with difficulty").

Amanda
Having said that the facilities were good, G was not impressed last night when he went to have a shower, got undressed and placed  the "Tallycard" which we had been required to load up on a pre-pay basis, into the slot, only to be told 'not enough money left'. In Danish, of course! 25 Krone,  about £3.50, had provided one shower and a couple of loo trips. We shall avoid sites using Tallycards in future wherever possible.

Today's exploring proved very interesting. We headed for Jelling, which Lonely Planet informed us was a place of such historical and spiritual importance that most Danish people visit it at least once in their lifetime. In a small village, insignificant on the map, is a beautifully kept site with two burial mounds and a church between them. There is a most impressive information centre, with wonderful interactive moving graphic displays telling the story of Christianity in Denmark from the 10th century to the present day.

We then made for our planned Camperstop, which sounded idyllic. A forest Rastplatz, or layby, where campfires were permitted. Sadly, someone had taken this permission to extremes - the loos were wrecked and burnt out, whether by accident or on purpose it was hard to tell. But it was a shock to find such a mess when we have become accustomed to well kept laybys with never even any litter in sight. We had lunch, including our first experience of Proper Danish Pastries, seriously good, and then moved on.

Before heading to our alternative site we couldn't resist a detour via Billund. G pulled into a layby opposite the entrance to Legoland, and risked life and limb scampering across the road braving the coaches turning and the hordes of visitors to take a photo and prove we were there! We then headed out again, quickly, past the airport built especially to serve Legoland.

And so, another evening, another marina, this one far classier than last night's. It is just outside the small town of Børkop, and approached down a meandering lush road of large, impressive houses. There is a nice looking restaurant which was full when we strolled past, a few smart apartments, and a 'clubhouse' similar to the one at Egense two nights ago. The night is still, and the marina and the views from it lovely - reminiscent of the South Devon coast. We are on our own in the designated Campervan area. 

Børkop