The countryside is not just all fun and games. But the die was cast. At this year’s democratic planning of the holiday, it was Katrine’s turn to have the last word. And she had nice and easily dismissed Christoffer’s proposal that we went to a waterland or a holiday activity centre with the words “we are going on a farm holiday”.

By means of the list provided by The Danish Association of Farm Tourism, we found a suitable number of farms that met Katrine’s wishes for many animals - as well as Christoffer’s demands that at least there would be a tennis court in the vicinity. And in the month of May, we contacted the host families.

But Alas! We were way too late. One host family after the other gave us the same answer: “we have been booked up for the school holiday period for the past two months”. So a good piece of advice: If you want to go on a farm holiday – order in the course of March! Well, back to work! We lowered our expectations and found more farms. But with the same results. And Christoffer started sensing the dawn of better days: “Rønbjerg holiday centre advertises with good offers in July”, he informed us one morning while reading the newspaper.

But finally we succeeded. Niels and Sonja from the area around Hobro had an appartment available the week in question and we could rent it for 2,000 Danish kroner. And that was included electricity, bed linen, cleaning and other things you usually pay for when renting a summer residence. If we wanted half board it was available on payment of a small additional amount. But remembering “feeding scenes” from Pelle The Conqueror, our prejudices told us to say no.

“There is a nice kitchen in the appartment, so you can cook your own”, Sonja informed us “She has seen right through us”, I thought.

“Welcome” Sonja and Niels said fromt he steps leading to the large farmhouse and showed us to the holiday apartment on the first floor. And what a sight! I think we all “dropped our lower jaws”. A living room the size of half a banqueting hall with tasteful furniture, 3 bedrooms with lovely double beds, a nice kitchen and a great bath room. And furthermore, we had the most beautiful view overlooking a beautiful landscape and a peace that was only broken by bird song. And all of this for only 2,000 Danish kroner!!

“Make yourselves comfortable and then I’ll be ready with some coffee in half an hour and we can tell you about the rules on the farm and show you arond”, said Sonja. All the while, Christoffer had already started tuning in on Tour de France on the colour TV.

The rules on the farm were easy. We could go whereever we wanted, and if we wanted to, we could help out.

“Every night, I will tell you about the plans for the following day. Tomorrow, e.g are going to harvest food for the animals”, Niels told us.

“Can we also go to the stables and the barn?” Katrine asked. And when this question was confirmed, she put on her rubber boots and were half way out the door towards the barn, where the cats lived.

“Do you use a tractor?”, Christoffer asked slightly interested. “No, we use a combine harvester, would you like to drive one of those?”, Niels asked. And they had made friends.

Erik Skjoldelev

Farm Holidays