Day 15 - Skagen
This is a major fishing port right at the top of Denmark. We berthed along with one of the Silver Seas boats, so plenty of visitors to bolster the population of 9,000. Apparently 2 million visitors arrive annually - but very limited English translations. This is the only port where we have booked a Cunard trip. When we originally went to book we were told that it was sold out, so we asked to be waitlisted & immediately she said, "Oh, there are places available and you are booked". Amazing to think that we could have just walked away and there would have been no sale.
The morning is colder and rain is threatening but we do not leave the ship until after 10.00, by which time it *is* drizzling. Such a small town and in reality so few sights to see, we sort of zigzag around to give the impression that we are going further - but eagle eye here can always spot the red and black funnel of home no matter where we are.
First stop was the old fishing houses & museum. Interesting, but hung around far too long in reality. Back on the bus and we have a problem with hydrologic system, so spend 20 minutes just sitting in the bus. OK, supposedly fixed, so off to the buried Church. Well, a mini ice age (climate change) took place for about 100 years in the 1600s, which resulted in all the pasture being covered in sand dunes, which in turn buried the Church. All that remains is the tower.
The last stop was the real reason most of us took the tour and that was to go to Gregen, the uppermost point of Denmark and continental Europe. We were taken from the information centre out to the spit by tractor-bus. Fortunately the weather was reasonable and we were able to wander out to (almost) the end of the sand spit and have waters from the North Sea (to the left) and Baltic Sea (to the right) wash together. Some took off shoes and socks to get the full experience 😁.
While we were admiring the sight, a couple of seals popped out of the Baltic and came really close to shore. They looked cute. There were a large number of ships (many gas carriers) anchored offshore, once again in the Baltic and they anchor here waiting for their next assignment. There are also thousands of ships making the journey around this point to get to the Baltic and Scandinavian ports. Our tour ended with a drive through the town and back right on time at 2.00.
Skagen boasts 2,000 hours of sunshine per year and although we were here on the longest day, we didn't actually get any sunshine until after we had sailed away. Of course, daylight hours are another matter and I did check out the sky just after midnight the previous night and confirm that it was far from dark. The other thing that makes Skagen famous is the proliferation of artists and writers, taken with its solitude and special light. One of the writers of fame was of course Hans Christian Andersen. Once again we had a bite in the Lido, as we were far too late for MDR.
Day 16 - At sea (& no formal)
The North Sea was bumpy and once again the outside deck was closed. Once again I tried to get this blog sorted out, but to no avail. In any event my remaining 8 minutes disappeared quickly, so resigned to trying to resolve at Southampton tomorrow. We had a pub lunch at the Golden Lion, which is something that Cunard do well. Vivian's final bridge finished a bit early, so thought that we'd do afternoon tea in the Queens Room, but seeing a queue of dozens and the room already full, we retreated to the stateroom and once again had green tea and chocolate cake.
Our "last" dinner was disappointing in that no-one else turned up, so yet again (& I haven't really laboured this) we dined alone at a table for 8. We are unsure whether we stay at this table for the next cruise, but said farewell to waiters just in case.
As we were on our own, dinner was pretty quick and the roast beef delicious, so we were able to get down to the Golden Lion to join our St Petersburg group for a farewell. They had just won the visual trivia, so got a bottle (small) of bubbles each couple. They failed miserably in the Wipeout Trivia, but the table next door won. They didn't want their bubbles, so we ended up with one. We all said our farewells and the others went off to late dinner. We went to the show, but were a little late and there were no seats, so we popped into the cafe for a coffee. There was a reasonable swell running, but a watery sun was shining as we headed back to Southampton. Our new cruise cards have been delivered to our stateroom and we are free to get off and on as we like.
Day 17 - Southampton
Early breakfast as MDR closed at 8.00, but thankfully clocks went back an hour last night although they go forward again tonight. A bit shower, but we got off just after 9.00 and have wandered into Southampton, to the Mall we patronized 2 weeks ago. Have managed to get free WiFi at Waterstones, along with good coffee. Still could not resurrect my blogs, but after the big St Petersburg loss, I have been composing them in a word processing programme, which I have just used, so so many blog updates all at once. I shall try the photos later, but while the blogger was working I thought I'd get this up to date.
So here we are, so far we have just found 2 Australian couples also doing the Fjords - we met one lot at an intersection on the way in to town, the other at bridge. Small world and funny how it just seems to be the people from miles away who select back to back cruises. The showers have lifted although I am wearing a rain jacket. The temperature at 11.00 is around 18.
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