Day 349 3rd July
33 miles (Loderups to Skateholm) Average speed 10 mph Top speed 75?
Easy days often turn out to be the toughest!
Up at 9 to sunshine and blue skies. The wind had even turned a bit too and was now coming more from the south than the west although blowing hard. I had brekkie in the kitchen of bread, cheese, tea and chocolate biscuits. I packed, showered and had another cup of tea before leaving at 12. I tried to follow coastal path but it soon ran out and turned to sand, so back I went up the hill and onto the main road, which was a bit tricky with the wind and quite a bit of traffic. At 50 minutes into the ride the heavens opened and soaked me as I hid behind an ammunitions sign.
Rain
I carried on for about 10 minutes until another downpour stopped me in my tracks and hid behind someone’s garage. I was joined by two walkers who seemed to be enjoying getting wet. Once again I set off, but once again, the sideways rain became too much and I hid behind a barn. Then a brief respite before the hailstones arrived. This time I found a cafe and left my gloves outside in front of the air-con unit blowing out hot air into them.
Trying to dry out my gloves
I had a coffee and hot dog and waited for the rain to stop, but within minutes of leaving I was seeking shelter in a golf club.I made it to Ystad but didn’t stay long and it didn’t seem to have much to offer apart from a Netto I noticed on leaving. I’m glad I stopped because I don’t recall seeing another shop. I must have been hungry and bought a bbq, sausages, burgers, cheese, pate, bread and beer. I was now ready to camp but just needed a location. Along the coast the beach was bordered by farmland and when I turned left , it became nature parks and no camping allowed. Then the weather decided I should have a rest and there was a torrential downpour for 40 minutes while I hid under a tree outside somebody’s house – I was hoping they would come out and invite me in.
Shelter under a tree – and breaking Golden Rule No2
Then an old man rode past in mac and waterproofs, said hi and went into the house. He could have offered me a cup of tea, but by now, knowing I was in for a long wait I’d cracked open the beers. Golden Rule No 2 “don’t drink and ride”, broken (number 1 is don’t do anything before tea)
I went on to the next potential spot but there were no caravan or mobile home signs. I considered it but as everything was so wet decided to carry on to a campsite 4 miles away. As I left I double checked the signage and rode straight into a metal barrier; that will teach me for drinking before I’m finished for the day. It also broke the front pannier again. Doh. The next campsite wanted 180 kr so I carried on to this one and had enough time between showers to cook dinner on my bbq. A walk along the beach and through a field of sheep and then to bed at 11.
The days that look easy on paper do not always turn out that way.
Walk along the beach before bed
Skateholm camping 100 kr