Sunday 2nd March 2025

Sunday morning.

I woke at half six, then dozed until nearly nine. Finally woken by Shaggy’s cat Shaggy jumping on the bed and making a nest. Outside, the birds were singing with great gusto I guess about spring and their upcoming tasks.

I had to be on the road by nine, so walked through the kitchen to find Anna awake and offering to make tea and toast.

Shaggy, when he appeared, had red eyes and looked quite rough.

But a pint of tea fixes all, and some toast too.

I load the car and program my next destination, another friend’s house on the way to Esbjerg. Just 45 minutes.

I press the start button, all the horses woke up and I drove out of the courtyard and onto the main road, heading through two villages to the motorway. Another fine and sunny day, perfect for a drive, even through the endless roadworks on the E45 heading south.

I turn off and follow the instructions to Frank’s house. No time was agreed, just that I might call. Turns out he was at church, but on the way home, so I wait, listening to the radio and checking the news.

Frank arrived and I followed his car into his yard, on three sides the buildings of the old water mill rose. Fran and his family live in the main building of the 16th century mill, though just about all equipment has been taken out, the housing where the grindstones were can still be seen in the kitchen.

Frank makes tea, and we talk shop, as we can do without any ears listening in.

But time was getting on. I have to in in Esberg by two, and with an hour and twenty five minutes to go, and it being half twelve, no time to lose.

We hug and I climb into the car, drive out of the yard and turn towards the motorway.

After half an hour I get through the last of the roadworks, and so can speed up to 130 km/h, and the miles, or kilometers were eaten up gritty quick.

I turn east, and ahead is 70 kilometers of motorway with a limit of 130. But I was getting snoozy, the endless miles after mile of two lane blacktop means I have to open a window to keep me awake.

Esbjerg harbour is full of turbine tower sections. All ours. It look impressive, but I’m not going there, instead I drive on to the centre of town, finding a place to park near the town square. I would be ten minutes late.

The main street is dying. Shop after shop is empty and up for rent, this has been the situation since the new mall opened near the station.

Inside the Dronning Louise were two friends already, Brian and Carsten. Jesper comes soon after, so I get drinks in, and we talk. Food here is also good, so I have a plate of nachos, which have an insane amount of cheese on, but are very good indeed. I was on Coke instead of beer, which I thought wise.

Later, Steffen arrives too. He was my young padowan back when we set up the site in Esbjerg, it is good to see him again. But already time is slipping by. I had to return to my car after two hours, and a couple of the others had to get going too. So, we all say goodbye, not knowing when or if we would meet again.

We walked in different directions, I to the car. No need to set the sat nav, I knew the way, so set off to the main road, then past the port and onto the motorway.

My aim was to get back before dark, and hope there were parking spaces. I was hopeful.

Traffic was light, so I made good progress, even through the roadworks. I turn off towards the centre and 15 km later I turn off to the hotel, and in garage there are many spaces. I take one and turn the engine off. I would not move it for two days now, my last strip in it will be to the airport on Tuesday.

In my room, I call Jools, then settle down for a booze free early night. Outside the tram trundle past, and the lights of the city shine bright now the fog has finally cleared.