Old railway track

A butterfly’s wing mingle
with irrigation rhythmic throb
and fresh breath
another world of travelers
passes by slowly
Last day of June, anno 2009 – I must admit the day could not be better, not because of date, month, but because of the weather.
After being transported to Grindsted at the lake Tronsø by my daughter where the Grindsted – Funder railway begins, and the trip home.
A quick look at Tronsø and then on I ride. The weather was just right with a few clouds, hot and almost no wind. Once the wheels turning, there was no way around it, this is the epitome of Danish summer with the addition holiday. The scent of grass, flowering shrubs, the sight of yellow broom, and their explosive peapod, the smell of crowberry and heather.
The wheels turning and intersect highways of Ants and I race with bumblebee. The lush vegetation on both sides is a motivating for the eyes and in-between the fields show the almost endless corn and potato fields. Nature appears as twisted string of green spots tied together with birdsong.
The sound a butterfly’s wing mingle with irrigation water canon rhythmic throb and fresh breath. Another world long after the metalbull snorting along the railway track.
The crooked path with Randers at one end and Bramming / Esbjerg in the other was to ensure the export of fresh agricultural products to the UK market. Moreover, the middle Jutland forestry had to have their timber out to the main roads, but also chippings, lignite and peat. For many years, there was also a large military depot in the woods of Hjøllund.
Personal transport ceased in 1971, after which the rails were taken up at the northern section after Hjøllund. Silkeborg – Langå is now a paved nature trail.
From Hjøllund to Bramming there was continued transportion of chippings and military hardware up to 1988, when the rails were removed as far as to Grindsted.
From Grindsted to Bramming the tracks is active in the summer operating by vintage train and wagons along the 40 km. long distances.
Back to pave the trail anno 2009, where islands of rank nettle forests standing in hush shadows. I went by Filskov Station, Blåhøj Station, and Drantum Station before reaching Brande Station.
Besides ants I also came across cattletracks tunnels, roads, bridges and three small rivers.
When in Brande I suggest you follow the path right to Blichersvej and from there to the city center. Along Blichersvej is the first mural  in Brande; Brande Waterworks Tower. A proposal is to stay at either the youth hostel or Camp Brande, and then explore Brande city.
Afterwards you can continue the leaning rail track by driving down Frihedevej and then take Fløvej to Usseltoftvej where the rail track continues to Ejstrupholm.

Old railway track
still breathing
new kind of travelers

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