Picnic på en Øde ØPicnic on a deserted island
A delicious picnic basket and details of the sailing times are all you need. Fyn is surrounded by islands, and if you have an hour, a couple of bicycles and the desire to sail, there are even some completely deserted islands to explore.
For example, you could try the little islands of south Fyn or nature’s little gem in north Fyn, Æbelø.
For example, you could try the little islands of south Fyn or nature’s little gem in north Fyn, Æbelø.
The dream of a deserted island
Æbelø ud for BogenseThe feeling of being on holiday is the feeling of having lots of space, oodles of time and plenty of peace and quiet.
The dream of a deserted island is perhaps the ultimate setting for a peaceful holiday – but of course, there has to be something to do, especially for the sake of the children. So take a mini-trip to one of the sparsely populated islands and experience the charm of being (almost) alone in the world.
There are a few things you need to bear in mind. Obviously, the islands are not exactly brimming with opportunities to buy food, beverages or other little necessities for a family on an excursion.
The dream of a deserted island is perhaps the ultimate setting for a peaceful holiday – but of course, there has to be something to do, especially for the sake of the children. So take a mini-trip to one of the sparsely populated islands and experience the charm of being (almost) alone in the world.
There are a few things you need to bear in mind. Obviously, the islands are not exactly brimming with opportunities to buy food, beverages or other little necessities for a family on an excursion.
A DAY ON ÆBELØ - diary by Nanna, aged 8
Urskoven på Æbelø”First we had a long car journey, which made my little brother go to
sleep. But then we stopped and we had to put our wellies on.
Daddy had packed everybody’s rucksacks and Mummy said when we got to Æbelø we’d find a place where we could eat our packed lunches.
Before that, something very exciting happened: we had to walk in the water over to the island, and Daddy kept saying the water wouldn’t come up over the tops of our wellies. But I got water in my wellies anyway, so I had to walk barefoot the rest of the way.
When we got to the island, we played ‘don’t touch the ground’ and leapt around from tree to tree. My little brother found a small lake in the woods and he came running and told us there were small crocodiles in the water! Mummy said they’re called salamanders, and that they live in waterholes and under trees. I wanted so much to take one home, but Daddy wouldn’t let me – he told us that on Æbelø, we could only look and play, but not take anything home with us.
After we’d played a bit more and eaten our packed lunches, we were going to find a stone museum that Mummy wanted to see, but Daddy preferred to show us some seals in the water far away.
Then we had to go home, and Mummy and Daddy said it was important to leave right now because otherwise we’d have to swim home, and that was much too far!
I think Æbelø is a good place to visit because it’s fun wading such a long way through the water. But the best thing is the packed lunches, which you can eat with your Mummy and Daddy and your little brother.
sleep. But then we stopped and we had to put our wellies on.
Daddy had packed everybody’s rucksacks and Mummy said when we got to Æbelø we’d find a place where we could eat our packed lunches.
Before that, something very exciting happened: we had to walk in the water over to the island, and Daddy kept saying the water wouldn’t come up over the tops of our wellies. But I got water in my wellies anyway, so I had to walk barefoot the rest of the way.
When we got to the island, we played ‘don’t touch the ground’ and leapt around from tree to tree. My little brother found a small lake in the woods and he came running and told us there were small crocodiles in the water! Mummy said they’re called salamanders, and that they live in waterholes and under trees. I wanted so much to take one home, but Daddy wouldn’t let me – he told us that on Æbelø, we could only look and play, but not take anything home with us.
After we’d played a bit more and eaten our packed lunches, we were going to find a stone museum that Mummy wanted to see, but Daddy preferred to show us some seals in the water far away.
Then we had to go home, and Mummy and Daddy said it was important to leave right now because otherwise we’d have to swim home, and that was much too far!
I think Æbelø is a good place to visit because it’s fun wading such a long way through the water. But the best thing is the packed lunches, which you can eat with your Mummy and Daddy and your little brother.
TIPS FOR A GOOD EXPERIENCE...
©PHOTOPQR/LA VOIX DU NORD/M. ROSEREAU
LILLE LE 10/09/2004 ; NATURE, CHAMPIGNON,PROMENADE; Promenade, decouverte des champignons d'automne dans le parc de la Deule.1. Take a well-stocked picnic basket with you, sufficient for two small meals or a DIY lunch, e.g. sausages to cook over a camp fire on one of the camp sites, or sandwiches and fruit, cakes and beverages. Children soon get hungry outdoors, and mealtimes can be a rallying point if they suddenly start feeling bored.
2. Choose a good day for enjoying the great outdoors – the main purpose for visiting the islands is to experience nature.
3. Take your time. Be prepared for a quiet day. The children must understand that this is a place for peace and quiet and that the trip is an experience in itself. Older children in particular may be disappointed if they are looking forward to lots of fun and games… you have to create your own fun on a deserted island!
4. Extra clothing is essential. Insufficient clothing or wet clothing can ruin the experience. Bring rainwear and perhaps a spare pair of shoes.
5. Take rugs, books, magazines, pillows and a little radio and create your own little space. Set up camp for an hour or two while you eat. There are no deadlines…
6. Sun cream, mosquito spray, plasters, flannels, mobile phone, baby change kit, and, if you are bringing bicycles, consider hiring a trailer or bicycle trolley. It’s hard work carrying everything on a bicycle.
7. Do your homework. In fact, there is plenty to see on the islands, but in some cases you need to know what to look for. A little guide book or brochure can make the trip more fun for everyone.
8. If the weather is suitable for the beach, perhaps try out one or two different ones. Being able to move around and readily discover new experiences because the islands are so small accounts for much of the charm of a trip to a deserted island.
9. If the children want to, it can be fun to have an “assignment”. For example, “Our day on a deserted island”. Take photos, scribble away and print it… If you have enough imagination (and there’s always plenty of that!), you can make up stories about different places on the island and create your very own fairytale. “This was where there used to be a town, but there was a great big storm and all the houses were washed into the sea…”
10. Enjoy the peace and quiet.
2. Choose a good day for enjoying the great outdoors – the main purpose for visiting the islands is to experience nature.
3. Take your time. Be prepared for a quiet day. The children must understand that this is a place for peace and quiet and that the trip is an experience in itself. Older children in particular may be disappointed if they are looking forward to lots of fun and games… you have to create your own fun on a deserted island!
4. Extra clothing is essential. Insufficient clothing or wet clothing can ruin the experience. Bring rainwear and perhaps a spare pair of shoes.
5. Take rugs, books, magazines, pillows and a little radio and create your own little space. Set up camp for an hour or two while you eat. There are no deadlines…
6. Sun cream, mosquito spray, plasters, flannels, mobile phone, baby change kit, and, if you are bringing bicycles, consider hiring a trailer or bicycle trolley. It’s hard work carrying everything on a bicycle.
7. Do your homework. In fact, there is plenty to see on the islands, but in some cases you need to know what to look for. A little guide book or brochure can make the trip more fun for everyone.
8. If the weather is suitable for the beach, perhaps try out one or two different ones. Being able to move around and readily discover new experiences because the islands are so small accounts for much of the charm of a trip to a deserted island.
9. If the children want to, it can be fun to have an “assignment”. For example, “Our day on a deserted island”. Take photos, scribble away and print it… If you have enough imagination (and there’s always plenty of that!), you can make up stories about different places on the island and create your very own fairytale. “This was where there used to be a town, but there was a great big storm and all the houses were washed into the sea…”
10. Enjoy the peace and quiet.
