Dronningmølle, Denmark - Lund, Sweden

Tuesday 3rd August 1999

Our last day in Denmark for the time-being and it was another warm, sunny day. Our whole week in Denmark had been like this and as we walked to the beach we saw the headlines in the papers. 30.7 degrees they trumpeted! With pictures of the masses at the beach.

This time we all got in for a swim. The water seemed even a little warmer than the day before. After splashing around for a while we got out and returned to the campsite, passing a couple of nudists who'd chosen to position themselves right next to the path. Ahh, the Scandinavians. At least they were young.

We packed up then headed towards the port of Helsingør, stopping off first for some last minute shopping. Things always seem to get more expensive as you travel north. The trip across was quick and easy, only 25 minutes on the ferry. Most of the passengers spent the whole trip jammed in the on-board shop stocking up on booze at Danish prices. We stayed above and marvelled at how close the two countries were.

Once in Sweden we headed for the local tourist information and I loaded up on the free brochures. We then wound our way south on the start of a loop around the southern tip of the country. We managed to find a nice spot right by a beach just near Lund, our first intended stop. We parked the car and I decided to test the waters on this side of the sound. I started to walk in but after 100 metres was only up to my ankles. I could see others about four times as far away and the water was only just above their knees so I decided that enough was enough.

At the end of the day we reflected on the images of Denmark. Most striking for me was that of all the countries in Europe that we've visited, it was the one that most reminded me of coastal Australia. The warm sunshine, the white sands and the long stretches of beach backed by rough scrub. It was something that I never expected.