P.O.A. Swedish Rally June 2003 report by Jenny Vowden


SWEDISH RALLY 16th June – 26th 2003 reported by Jenny Vowden

Thursday 13th 8am We catch the dover – Dunkirk Ferry to our first night stop at Apeldorm in Holland. Distance from home 527 miles.
Our first night stop is in Wildenshausen in Germany and then Travensund a very nice seaside town.
16th June We take the ferry crossing from Putsgarden in Germany to Denmark then from Helsingborg to Helsingor in Sweden. We make our way to Klippan to join the POA Rally organised by Eric and Lynn who have long experiences of Sweden.
17 June We have a reception and welcome from the Mayor of Klippan.
Next day was a coach tour to the South East of Sweden. Our first stop was to a traditional cottage /bakery to see how Spettaka a traditional Swedish cake is made (eggs, sugar and potato flour) then on to Ystad an old Hanseac Town, then to Kaseberg a fishing hamlet and ancient site of Dolmans (standing stones). At Simrishamn a holiday resort on the Baltic we walked around cobbled streets and the marina before a visit to a National Park to partake of as many cakes and coffee that we could eat/drink! Our guide had one last treat in store for us a tiny chapel on the edge of the Baltic Coast and where some of us dipped our toes in the sea – it was freezing!
The following evening we all celebrated Dils birthday, with a BBQ, and invited Swedish Pilote Club members and the Campsite Owners. We had a ‘raising of the Flags Ceremony’ together with much fun and laughter.
We have our bikes (non electric in those days!) and take cycle rides around the local countryside, all so beautifully clean, tidy and unspoilt.
June 21st Midsummer Day and a change in the weather! We are joined by members from the Swedish Club, some in traditional dress, and the campsite owners to enjoy the celebrations. We all help to dress the ‘Midsummerstang’ and join in the folk dancing around the cross, which was very amusing as we had to pretend to be frogs! Not to be outdone some of us did the ‘Hokey-Kokey’ much to the amusement of the locals! That evening we all joined up for a Swedish/American Supper, which included a Smorgastort a multi layered mixed filling type of sandwich. A great evening. We all needed a rest day after all these activities and food.
Sunday 23 More Eating! We are taken by coach to a local hotel for ‘Smorgasbord’ The meal takes all afternoon and it is a gastronomic feast.
Tuesday 25th and a coach trip to Copenhagen, stopping off first to see the ‘Little Mermaid’ statue. We view the beautiful Marble Church and see the Guards marching in front of the Royal Palace, the interesting harbour area with tall ships moored alongside before back on the coach to cross over the new 16km long ‘Malmo bridge’.
In the evening there was a Farewell Party where we all gave our thanks to Eric and Lyn for a super Rally
Definitely one to remember.
Jenny

Finally some members, including Arthur and myself, had arranged to stay on after the Swedish Rally to make their way to Nordkapp in Norway, the most northerly tip of Europe.
Eveybody made it and remarked on what a wonderful experience it was.