Well! I was surprised at breakfast in the slightly odd yet very friendly hotel (how should one punctuate that?) to find, not young travellers but several travelling retirees. In fact, for every under 30 year old I saw in Copenhagen the other week, I saw 5 over 65s in the Danish countryside today 🤔. I suppose everyone was at work? I’ve rather lost track of the days to be honest.

So, homeless for tonight, I did a little bit of research before we set off, wanting somewhere I could do some activities for a few days and not have to be attached to the dogs 24/7.  Lalandia in Billund was our most dog-friendly revised destination. Helen Russell would again be pleased. It’s a mini-second pilgrimage if you like. Legoland is right next door.

As an aside, if (and I have no idea why this would be the case) you ever wanted to take your dog to Legoland, you can but just not inside anywhere nor can you leave them alone anywhere or (obviously) take them on any rides. Although they’d be fine on the pirate boat, that was very sedate. Given the rules, you’d have to dress them as children though. It would be a bit ‘Red Riding Hood’ but might work? Anyway, I digress, Lalandia’s accommodation is lots of little cabins and they were very happy for the pups to snooze while I potter around. Perfect. Just what we were after, a little break for me and them before the final push back home.

One observation after further dog-related conversations this morning is that Danes will say something is ‘against the law’ if they don’t allow it, even if other places do allow it therefore it is unlikely to be an official rule, is this standard? I don’t remember this from Borgen.

Danes please correct me if I have this wrong but I have been told it is too late to check into a hotel (it wasn’t), that dogs aren’t allowed to be left alone in a room (general statement and contradicted by two other hotels) and that they are not allowed inside restaurants – all by law. I buy the latter but the other two?

Anyway, we have now entered a world of water slides and lego name badges and gone have the rules – at least I think so – for now 😊👋🏻 The weather is turning a bit rubbish so Plan B has not only lifted my spirits but also give me something to do while it is raining. To be honest, this is a long trip and I think I am quite naturally getting a little weary, not from bad things as you know, there’s just been so much to absorb and a lot of physical work when camping and driving.

The drive this morning was infinitely better and less scary than last night and I just took it easy, letting everything pass me if it wanted to. I did observe that everyone round here overtakes in a pretty hairy fashion so maybe it’s not as bad as I thought. I drove through some very cute villages and past some beautiful old houses, one with gorgeous tall windows. The landscape is very similar to home, lots of crops, a few more trees perhaps but quite flat and agricultural here just with less patient drivers 😬 . I spent 10 minutes behind a small truck of cows on their way to slaughter too. They were looking for escape-routes with their lovely wet noses. It made me very sad 😢.

Check-in here was seamless, the cabin is lovely and spotless and all is good. I suspect I’ll be sticking to the more sedate rides at Legoland (sorry to disappoint) and do let me know if you have any Lego requests from the many many shops here.

It’s rather a flat post today but in a good way. I had a little weep earlier. More on that below but I’m pleased we didn’t flee Denmark. A lesson (again) in persevering, albeit not necessarily in the first campsite.

Not all planning works out and some plans work much better when changed. I wanted to give it another try and this plan actually was better than the first on reflection, my geography is just so bad I had no idea how close it was to where I was 😂!

I might struggle to market the Sparklepufftours brand though given the key elements so far, would you be tempted 😆?

How much luggage can I take? – How much can you fit in?

How much will it cost? – We can give you a guide but really have no idea how many bridges/ferries or hotel stops will be required as we don’t do enough research plus we are unsure of exact exchange rates, you’ll need some savings and some 50c coins to pee in The Netherlands (obviously only when we stop in that country, they don’t levy a tax across Europe).

Where are we going? – Like a cruise (but so not like a cruise) we will stop at many destinations, we reserve the right to change our mind often but will stick to a rough route, everywhere will serve pizza, you will also eat more cereal than you have in a while and be constantly slightly dehydrated and simultaneously desperate for a wee.

What will the weather be like? – Everything from Sahara to Monsoon to wet weekend in Scarborough. Pack for all seasons, you’ll need the lot.

Will I get to relax? – No. Well, maybe when you get home, once you’ve unpacked the van.

Will I feel a sense of satisfaction at the end? – At all times you will feel this my friend, at all times.

Will I do more heavy lifting than I ever imagined possible on a holiday? Yes.💪

Will I miss my own toilet? Very much.

Will it be worth it? Oh yes, the views are amazing, the nature beautiful and varied, the smells as insightful as the landscape and the frequent switch of languages and locations will have your head in a spin; plus you’ll get to swim in lakes, the ocean and pools and maybe meet a Moomin in real life.

You’ll also have two dogs pretty much attached to you 24/7, this will at times be irksome but you’ll grow to miss them immediately when you take a break for a few hours.🐾

Oh and whatever feelings or fears you are trying to get away from, even if you drive 3,300km (and still counting) or more, they will catch up with you. You have to learn to travel with them; to live with them. So yes, if you learn that, it will definitely be worth it. 😍

PS Bring an eye mask – we don’t have enough curtains

Night all. x