Friday morning was damn cold but sunny on the Købingsmark Strand camping site where we stayed on the island of Als. I went for a refreshing swim:
After breakfast, Jens and I took the bikes for a day tour. The bikes were excellent! Meanwhile, the weather changed dramatically – low clouds, quite windy with gusts, and small rain. In front of our hut before departure:
A short stop by a cute house nearby. I had noticed it before, and wanted to have a closer look. It would be interesting to come inside and see its interior:
Our next stop was the Munkegaard Tractor Museum:
I visited it first time in 2017, together with Lars. You can read more about it here. It made a good impression. Today, there are more than 200 vintage tractors from all around the world.
The blue tractor on the photo below was the first one in the collection. Whilst I was fixing my shoes, a curious cat came to meet us; he was caring and lovely, and a bit wild:
We also met the owner of the museum who came out to say hello to us. After a short chat, we continued to another hall and then the rain hit. We just stayed there, grateful for having a roof over our heads. Tea break was also helpful – the air temperature fell even lower.
Jens and I agreed, our tour de Als could wait for better times; we returned to the camping site and had a couple of hours break. We used the time to prepare for next day – flight planning, accommodation booking. Renting a car turned to be a challenge due to the Easter holidays, but we managed. When the weather improved, we biked to Nordborg.
Nordborg church:
The old bell, made in 1620. It was in use till 1996 (only 376 years!) when it was removed because it’s body cracked:
A walk by the Nordborg Castle that can be dated to the years around 1150. It was occupied by various wars, and burned down in a fire in 1665. Since 1922 the castle has been home to a boarding school, Nordborg Slots Efterskole:
One of the charming old streets of Nordborg:
There was still time to see more, and we headed for the 20 m tall Augustenhof Lighthouse that was built in 1902 – 1904. In 1940, the Luftwaffe set up an air message post at the lighthouse shortly after the occupation of Denmark. The crew was around 20-25 men.
From the lighthouse there was a wonderful sea view:
Back to our very cold hut by sunset, cooking hot meal for dinner and having a glass of wine. There was also time to read, and listen to Bach cello suites played by Yo-Yo Ma.
