Today was supposed to be a change day, and the previous blue sky gave way to
clouds and occasional rain with much lower temperature. I chose this as a day to
go for a longer walk - the local guides showed a suitable one would be to go
over to Egholm island and around the edge.
I would combine this with a walk
to the city quay and a return through the residential areas.
Sue
accompanied me to the main pedestrian areas of the city, and we hung around for
a while - things do not open until 10am it seems.
Down at the quay, a large cruise ship was just docking, and I turned away before
they started disembarking.
Further along the quay was a square rigger -
quite a difference.
Along the quay passing the road bridge (with central hinged section), and the
rail bridge - both with footpaths along them.
The path skirted inland to go around a marina and rowing boat centre, before
entering into Vestre Fjord park
The park had a large number of pitches for various games as well as swimming
lakes.
The path I was walking along cut through these and the along the
edge of the water. In the distance I could see the ferry just coming across to
this side and sped up to catch the next sailing.
At the ferry ramp, I went over to the bus shelter and bought a foot ticket, then
waited for the barrier to rise. I did not realise that there was a wait for the
next crossing (it did 2 per hour).
At 10:30 I walked onto the ferry with the others waiting, and one car. Over tot
eh other side when a large black cloud floated above.
Just as I was leaving the ferry the heavens opened. I could have gone into the
bus shelter on this side, and put on my rain jacket, but it was still warm and
so I walked on.
The path left immediately along the side of the island and
water on a mown track. The rain had made this very wet and soon my boots and
socks were soaked.
The path continued along the waters edge beside a scrubby hedge.
Around Egholm Hage .. translated as Chin, then continuing aroudn the
coast.
Looking across to the Aalborg airport, and still curving around.
The path indicators were different to the ones on the map, so I chose to follow
a path into the middle of the island. this followed a farm track - two wheel
tracks through the grass.
The path twisted around the edge of fields and came out at Egholmby - a
settlement and information point.
I followed a path (signed by the same
colour I had followed so far) that cut along a field track, but soon realised
this was not what was on my map, so went back to the settlement. Then followed
the driveway out to the information point.
Then a long boring walk along the driveway - I am not sure the field option
would have been much better.
The road crossed to the edge of the island opposite the opposite bank of the
fjord to Aalborg. there was the remains of a jetty here.
the path I
required turned sharply here and followed the north east side of the island back
to the ferry jetty.
Looking across the Fjord to Lindholm Fjordpark.
The road continued down the side of the island and through a small wood just
before the quay.
As I approached the jetty I could see the ferry had just arrived, so sped up to
make it, knowing that it would be another 30 mins if I missed it.
Luckily
there were a number of cars to exit and a large lorry to get on, so in reality I
had plenty of time.
The crossing was much as the other way just a little more direct - probably tide
impact.
Leaving the ferry, I continued south along a road heading for a park. On the way
outside a new housing development, a robot lawnmower was working away.
As I approached a T junction to one side was a military museum through a fence..
the entrance was along the road ahead.
Opposite the museum entrance I turned down a dirt road to reach another park -
this was more like school playing fields. I turned through this to the
buildings, and into the city suburbs.
Walking through the residential areas I realised it was build in squares, with
central areas, and a way through - I was not sure if it was restricted to house
owners, but it was better than walking down the streets.
Along the way I
walked around a stadium - not sure what was played there.
Then into the more central parts and a last square before picking up the road
past the rial and bus stations to get back to the apartment.
I managed to get back before the next rain shower (just). Although it did alternate rain and sun for the rest of the day.
