An Island in Denmark - Easter Weekend

An island on Easter weekend.  We drove a couple of hours, from Aabenraa, then took a ferry across to the island of Fanø.

Gerhardt and Gesche on the Ferry

Huge Shipping Area

We visited a cousin of Gesche’s, who stays on the island when it’s not winter.  Her place was adorable.  She said a sea captain built it for himself and she’s pretty much kept it as he designed things for convenience and space-efficient.  

Vibbe in Her Summer Home

Beach Finds in the Window

Ship's Bell Outside

The Sea Captain on the Left is an Ancestor

We walked to the beach after we had some cake and coffee.  She was happy to show us where the ships come through for shelter and safety.  We walked along the fence with historical events painted on it.  A local person hand painted each event.  The one Vibbe was most proud of was when a ship went down in the sea, by the island.  All 335 passengers and 17 crew members were successfully rescued by the community of Fanø.

Dike Around Island

I made it just in time to see the inside of the island’s church, before the caretaker locked it for the evening.  Vibbe’s daughter talked to me about their visit to the church for a service early that day.  She said there were ships hanging from the ceiling and it was a 300 year old church.  

Not many business were open because of the Easter holiday.  (not many businesses there, anyway)  It reminded me some of Mackinac Island.  The population of the island increases significantly when spring arrives.

They allow cars on the island, but there are few places or cars to park and very narrow roads.  Bicycle and legs are the main transportation.

Vibbe pointed out the three colors above the windows.  Black for sorrow, white for hope and green for happiness.  She said the tradition goes way back.

Because of the high seas at times during the winter, they have a dam on the sea side of the island.  She showed me the pole that has the dates and level the sea rushed through during the last 100 years.