Denmark 2 Skive /Spottrup Borg/ a very different castle to what we are used to

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Gabby the motorhome is parked up in an area described as Denmarks largest body of inland water . Something I can testify to as there is a lot of water about and it takes a long time to get from A to B. The waterways link the Kattegat and the North Sea. And boy is it windy here . The wind never seems to drop. It is also an area of many castles . Our book tells us that you could visit each one but it take you forever . To be choosy and pick one or two rather than go for the lot of them . We picked Spottrup Borg because it was brick built, looked interesting and was surrounded by ramparts and a moat . Very different to what we might see back home.

There has been a castle on this site since 1500 and we were looking forward to visiting it . So far then what have we thought about what we have seen and done ? There are long distances to travel and the road speeds are completely mad. Not fast but they change often and you can fall foul of them easily . On motorways or A roads the speed is only 70 or 80 kph and drops by 10kms every time you approach a road junction . Towns have signs warning you that you are entering one. Speed bumps abound and kinks in the road forcing you to slow down . The speed limit is 50 km which feels almost pedestrian. Lights flash up your speed and once we forgot and we think we may have a speeding fine arriving in the post . 66 in a 50. Not a good start to the holiday . Driving has become frustrating . As we drove we discussed our new PM - Liz Truss who beat Rishi to the top spot . He was the favourite of the MP's who voted for him but the grass roots Tories the members voted Liz in . Putin commented that she could start World War 3. She has already upset Macron saying that the French are not our allies .

Eventually we arrived at the castle car park and set up the kettle and some lunch as there was no restaurant on site . The young lady on the reception was most welcoming . Entrance fee 80 krone each . We could buy coffee and cake from her and we could eat our own food in the hall . We should call in the herb garden first and then walk down to the castle . She like everyone we have met spoke perfect English making it easy for us.

The herb garden was - well a herb garden . Nothing special and being the back end a lot of the flowers had died . Most were the same as I would grow in my garden back home. But here the season had moved on a touch . The ramparts around the castle were unique to this part of Denmark . 9 metres high and apparently built as a protection from the new , more powerful cannons that had arrived in Denmark . There once was a drawbridge but this had long gone .

A modern joisting field had been constructed to one side in 2011 and competitions held in 2012 and 2016. They say that this is closest you get to a medieval castle in Denmark and standing in front of it it is easy to see why. Built of red brick it stood out as being different . Whoever built the castle originally was unknown . Lost in the mists of time . However the Bishops of Viburg owned it until the Reformation in 1536. After that date it had been taken over by the Crown and gifted in 1579 to a nobleman with the name of Below.

The first part of our walk was through the courtyard facing the south wing which was the oldest part of the castle. Stairs were installed by Henrik Below up the Round Tower and the Square Tower. We climbed those stairs up to the Bishops Hall . Much was painted white and the spaces empty. The odd piece of 16th century furniture and large fireplace filled the rooms. Black heating stoves in the corner. This was the room the Bishops used to welcome their visitors. The doorways were tiny. Even I had to duck my head to avoid clouting it on the beams.

We entered next the ballroom converted from an old corn chamber. Moved on to the castle kitchens , the dairy , the watchmans corridor and finally the guards room . All painted white , all with fireplaces and all empty . WE had the castle to ourselves and most of the tour was done just with our own imaginations . The tour was now over and we were back in the courtyard . We were leaving the castle for something very different .

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