Netherlands to Northcape: Day 21. Odense to Hirtshals DK 499 kms, & Ferry to Kristiansand, Norway.

Well, again, the riding was pure pleasure. I took it easy until about 3 pm, and then took the freeway the last 200 odd kms to Hirtshals.

I took the time to visit a Danish Viking Village (Museum). It was well done and I don’t think the people did it so tough, although maybe harder in winter. They seemed well equipped with life’s comforts, just no smartphones. A GPS would have been handy, too, for out at sea. Aren’t we lucky?

Another thing on the road that I found interesting is that many small towns in Europe have your speed displayed as you enter the town from the highway. They are not a speed camera, just an indicator. I think it’s a good idea. Some displays show in red if you are travelling too fast and in green if you are below the 50 kph. Others have flashing lights above them if you are over 50 kph. Some of the displays, however, I think are too close to the edge of town or the 50 kph sign, so you just can’t throttle off; you have to brake, and I have seen some motorists slow down too suddenly. But generally, I've been OK, and under the 50 kph. They are particularly useful when you come off the freeways, just to bring you back to reality speeds.

I did see the WWII bunker ruins, as advised yesterday. They are showing many signs of age, and I suppose in a few years they will need to be removed for safety for fear of collapse. I learned that these bunkers were a part of the Atlantic Line. This was series of bunkers to provide a defence line running from Norway to Spain. (I need to google that for some more info).

The ferry from Hirtshals, DK, to Kristiansand, NO, took 3 hours. The ferry was modern with an assortment of restaurants and entertainments. It was nice to be on-board. As usual, I explored the ship, spending a lot of time on the outside decks, until it got too cold. This really is a very pleasant way to travel, I think. I managed to get an hour’s sleep sitting upright on one of bench seats in the Pizza Restaurant. Not ideal, but not bad. As I will write later, this turned out to be essential.