And after visting Nymindegab we drove towards Skjern. Skjern is a town that I got to know thanks to my mother-in-law Else, who was born and raised there. Last year she decided to give us a tour of her old town, and it was a day full of surprises and nostalgia.
We started at her childhood home, a place she hadn't been in years. When we stood at the door, I saw her eyes sparkle with emotion. It was clear that the memories of her childhood were still vivid here. She told us stories about how it used to be, about the neighborhood kids she played with, and about the long summer days she spent in the garden. At times I saw a tear come up, but it was a beautiful mix of melancholy and joy.
One of the most memorable moments of that day was when she led us to a bend near the slaughter-house. "Here," she said, laughing, "this is where I failed my driving test." We could hardly imagine it, because the turn seemed easy at first glance. But apparently, it was a notorious place among driving examiners at the time. We all had a good laugh about it, especially since my mother-in-law has been an excellent driver for decades now. It's now a family anecdote that keeps popping up at parties and dinners.
Skjern itself is a quiet, charming town that has a surprising amount to offer. It's not a busy tourist attraction, but maybe that's its charm. People come to Skjern for a variety of reasons, and one of the main attractions is without a doubt the Skjern Enge nature reserve. This beautiful area, with its vast wetlands, is a paradise for cyclists and hikers. The tranquility, the fresh air and the view of the birds nesting in the area make it an ideal place to relax and immerse yourself in nature.
And then, very unexpectedly, we ended up in Linda and Jakob's wine shop *Wine N'Fun*. We had heard a lot about Danish distilleries, but we had never stepped into one of those cozy shops. This time we decided to change that and take a look. As soon as we entered, we were kindly greeted by Linda and Jakob. The warm welcome immediately gave the feeling that we were in the right place here.
After looking around for a while through the beautiful bottles and stylish labels, Jakob came to us with a smile and asked if he could help us with anything. In the middle of the shop was an improvisational tasting table full of different types of rum, whiskey and liqueurs. It was a smart move, because it allows you to taste before you decide to buy a bottle – exactly how it should be!
My eye quickly fell on the *Stauning Whisky*, a local pride that comes in three different flavours. Last year, this whisky was even chosen as one of the best. The whisky is made in Stauning, a small village not far from Skjern. It is a place where you immediately fall in love with the picturesque harbor with its colorful boats and the few restaurants where they serve delicious fish dishes. I still remember last year we were treated by my mother-in-law to a fantastic dinner there, but that's a story for another time...
Back to *Wine N'Fun*, because in addition to the Stauning Whisky, there was also the bottle of *Caribbean Essence* that caught our attention. After taking a sip, we were immediately sold. It was deliciously sweet, and if you closed your eyes, you immediately felt like you were on a Caribbean island. Jakob proudly told us that this unique rum is exclusively for sale in his shop in Skjern. That's exactly the kind of unique experience we love! And the slogan on the bottle: "Made with love"
I have to say that I am impressed by the extensive range of rums and whiskey in Denmark, largely sourced from the Caribbean and South America. It shows good taste and a love for special drinks. So, if you're ever in Skjern, don't skip *Wine N'Fun*. It's a must-see you won't want to miss – for the unique flavors, the warm welcome, and the stories each bottle has to tell.
And every time I think of Skjern now, I think not only of the beauty of the landscape, but also of that day full of stories, laughter and a little tear. It is a place that touches your heart, especially when you discover it through the eyes of someone who has so many beautiful memories there. Skjern is now much more than a quiet town for me; It is a place where history, nature and personal stories come together. Cheers!
