Fall on Fyn

Fall is here in a big way on fyn, and since our return from Sweden, we have led a normal day to life. It is a time of shortening days, changing calendars, and changing leaves. School schedules even changed on a small scale - the times for the different lessons have changed, as has Katie's gym day. But aside from these minor changes, and the exhilaration of riding our bikes at night, not much is different.

I am still riding my bike, though perhaps not as much due to less light and seemingly more to do. I have had a few bigger days out recently, and have been treated to some lovely fall sights. The leaves really are changing to all colors from yellow to brown. The light casts long shadows, even at noon, which leaves in the feeling of perpetual evening. Is it twilight? Nope, it is just lunch time.

falling on Fyn

My travels took me to Assens, a largish town on the SW coast of Fyn. It was a lovely ride, and took me past several castles, as well as the largest estate on Fyn (Wedellsborg). Other than its side, Wedellsborg is one of the 5 farms, a cooperative of large farming estates that markets its products nationally in Denmark. Other sights of interest were the castles of Brahneborg and Kenderup (the latter has a car museum in it), and the highest hills on Fyn (131 m) at Froebjerg.

I also headed southeast toward Gudme. That town itself is of no interest, but the country around there is beautiful. The pastoral beauty of Fyn is everpresent, but there are minor changes. The corn is now mostly in, and the harvest of the sugar beets has begun. The latter I noticed quite by accident. What I though was a pile of rocks next to a field turned out to be sugar beets (a thoroughly ugly tuber). The wealthy are also beginning to congregate at the large estates to go pheasant hunting, and I passed several such parties on my tour. Of particular note was the tour group at an estate for the sole purpose of shooting birds.

What else? hmm, the manure collection ponds are being covered, which is a real improvement in terms of smell. I have nearly crashed several times while riding by farms. Pig farms seem to be the worst offenders. So life goes on. Halloween today has come and will go, without celebration. They seem to skip that, and go right to Christmas. In fact, the Christmas shwag has already hit the shelves. I should have suspected this would happen when the Yule beer showed up a few weeks ago, but it still takes me by surprise. Even by the craven super consumer standards mid October is early for Christmas ornaments!