Mention the word archipelago and your mind automatically strays someway south, your ears pair with the low dulcet whispers of David Attenborough . . .“In the vastness of the Pacific, there’s a place unlike any other” . . .
Not wanting to leave Denmark out of our equation, we even up the balance. Stray south. Unbeknown to us, Denmark has its own archipelago. We cross over to Funen Island. It’s third largest of [at least] 443 islands. Beastie has paid a heavy two-way price of 1270 Danish Krone [£146] for the privilege. Courtesy of the 18K Storebælt Bridge. [The more famous Malmo crossing a mere two-way £84]
Funen Village, just south of Odense centre, houses (yet) another open air museum. We’ve now completed our hat-trick. It’s a working village, although no one is to be seen working today. A compilation of various farms brought together from the surrounding islands. It’s still maintained in the old ways, using the old tools and methods. Sustainability being the M.O.
Thatched and timber built, in their day, each farm was like a small multi-purpose industrial unit. The whole, split and allocated specific functions. Like a factory conveyor belt. Capable of providing everything for the owner, his family and his workers.
A few of the farms show signs of animal life. At one time in Denmark, rabbit was considered unfit for human consumption . . . that is until they discovered how delicious it was.
Despite there being an easy way out of his pen, a little rooster is mumbling to himself. Thinks he’s a little cuckoo. We can hear his perpetual clucking. Can’t see him. A tiny peep hole reveals almost all.
Outside, a couple of ‘original’ [wood & rope] Hobby-Horses are languishing invitingly inside a large barrel. Neither look as if they’ve enjoyed a run around today. Mr S knows just how they feel. He can fix that. Fresh with the knowledge of seeing how it’s done in Sweden, decides to kill two birds with one stone – so to speak . . .
We end the day on Nab Strand Camping, southern Funen
