On the fifth day, we said bye-bye to Lund, and turned back north again. While basically following the west coast in both directions, we still varied our route by choosing different small roads where we could, and stopping at different places.
Typical Skåne roadside view... |
The red flowers are poppies |
For example, on the way down (Day 2), we visited Sofiero palace and park on the outskirts of Helsingborg, but avoided going into the city itself. On our way back, however, we did go into the core of the city - and I'm choosing that word deliberately, because on a hill high above the city center, there is a medieval tower called Kärnan, which literally means The Core.
This 14th century tower is the only remaining part of what was once an old Danish fortress, which together with another fortress on the opposite Danish shore of Öresund controlled the strait between Skåne (Scania) and Sjaelland (Zealand).
View of Helsingborg from a viewpoint below the Tower |
Inside the Tower there is a museum. A lot of steep stairs usually makes me hesitate.... but as initially I wasn't aware that you were even allowed to go all the way up to the top... somehow (one floor at a time) I eventually found myself up there anyway!
View of Helsingborg from the top terrace of the Tower |
Have to admit that once safely back on the ground again, my legs felt pretty shaky, though... So instead of walking down further steps straight down the hill to the city center (and then up again...), we got back into the car and navigated our way down there. We found both parking and a café/restaurant without too much trouble; still within view of the impressive tower up on the hill.
From "downtown" looking back up at where we had been... |
From Helsingborg, we cut across one peninsula to the next one, where this time we took the long way around its coast.
Vejbystrand (I think) |
Torekov, with maritime museum |
Hovs Hallar - a landscape protection area with cliffs |
The quayside here is one long row of various small eateries, and we chose a different one this time.
Four Scanian churches from the Fifth Day: Kattarp, Allerum, Torekov, Båstad |
I have lost count of all the churches we stopped at, but am hoping to "revisit" some of them (with more photos and details) in future blog posts.
One step at a time is my goal. A whole floor is Olympic standard.
ReplyDeleteAdrian, I tend to agree! ;)
DeleteThis is definitely my favorite of your trip posts. So much variety, and beautiful or interesting posts! I notice the doorway in the tower is way up high! I guess for defense. You do not even look out of breath after all those steps. Seeing the fortress right downtown with newer streets and buildings is amazing. Like two different time zones on one street. I love all of the boat pictures, and the little red buildings with their reflections.
ReplyDeleteGinny I was more worried about straining my knee or other leg muscles, but fortunately I came out of the adventure pretty much unscathed.
Deletefirst thins first! I do hope you were not LEANING on that railing. I am proud of you for making it to the top, I might have made it to the DOOR only... beautiful old tower and all those churches are so pretty.. looks like the weather was perfect
ReplyDeleteSandra, the outside wooden stairs leading up to that first door were actually more deterring than the sturdy brick ones inside.
DeleteSome of your pictures here are postcard material, and all of them are great. I do love coming along with you and your brother on this trip!
ReplyDeleteI think Sandra can be reassured that you were perfectly safe at that railing, as it has a sturdy brick wall and a second railing right behind :-)
Thanks Meike. And yes, the top of the tower felt quite safe (although I'd advice parents to keep an extra eye on fearless children...)
DeleteWhat another delightful journey for you and for us via your pictures. The mention of Sjaelland (Zealand) also sent me off on the track of New Zealand because I always understood it to have been named Nova Zeeland originally by a Dutch cartographer and then anglicised by Cook. I'm assuming the word is similar in Holland, Sweden and Denmark.
ReplyDeleteThanks Graham. Actually, until I wrote this post I'm not sure I even ever knew that Sjaelland is called Zealand in English. (In Swedish we spell the Danish island Själland; while New Zealand is Nya Zeeland.)
DeleteIt is also similar in German, Seeland, and Neuseeland for New Zealand.
DeleteThe other half and I have ancestors in your country so we are both loving the photos.
ReplyDeleteAmy, I'm always glad to know that others enjoy them too! :)
DeleteFina bilder! Lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks Fi!
DeleteWhat a great adventure☺
ReplyDelete