Andreas Åbling Petersen
....... Let me introduce you to Andreas Åbling Petersen . . .
The first time I spoke to him he said, "I have a friend in Australia, Peter Kidman, maybe you know him?". This is often said, but with Andreas there was a glimmer of hope in his voice, he was serious. I got an idea as to who he would be.
His favourite motto is "If you dont have what you need, then use what you have." I saw this put into practice when we attached what looked like a mid to late 13th century trailer, to his original 1954 tractor and literally, took it for a walk.
It must have sat in the one place since shortly after production 700+ years ago, until now, for both tyres had a hard, flat edge and looked quite comfortable where they were. Giving me a good idea as to how hard it must have been before the wheel was invented.
This tonne of steel and rotten wood ... bounced ... down the track (which was lined 20ft high of what some people would consider junk, (but to him it may be useful one day) rocking the tractor from side to side with him inside.
I was following in a van with Paul, a good friend of his that spoke no english, but luckily for us there was no time for any conversation as the image in front of us was keeping us in a fit of laughter, tears welling both for the sight in front and the lack of videoa camera.
When the wheels finally locked up, it dragged, gouging great canyons into the muddy Danish path under the load. The trailor had prior issues with the corner it seemed, for it wouldn't co-operate at all, which is when he got out of his shell of a rusting machine and said... "we'll just leave it here". And that we did.
Yesterday, I got to watch him juggle four languages with an ignorant Aussie who speaks scattered (or more realistically) next to zero languages and should work on his English (apparently), two Germans and one from Latvia, and Andreas bursting into a stream of roarkess laughter, when he catches me laughing away, catching him speaking German to me, Danish to the Latvian or Latvian or English to the German, or a mix of all four. Then finish it off with his Latvian phraze - "Loti Vienkarsi (it's very simple), but I am tired... I Æ Å..."
We were standing on the waters edge of Denmark when I mentioned the setting sun over the ocean..without a break of contemplation this 68.146 year young man returned, "I've often though of digging an ocean on my farm".
He calls himself an Organic Peasant.
Host and founder of an annual art-symposium on his farm; for painters, wood carvers or just anyone who wants to be a part of igniting the spark of a place full of such tremendous energy, he welcomes all.
There are too many stories and classic scenarios each day to list from this man who has spent 30 years building a stone wall around his house and has planned to rob the local bank at Bredebro, this is the first time, but I have to continue to write them down.
A real activist for what he believes from way back, he was booted from the Danish Liberal Party, founded the Free Farmers Union and an annual human aid program to Latvia.
He is a star shining so brightly its no wonder he is a member of the Danish Blind Society, a soul screaming so loudly its also no wonder you have to scream back for him to hear.
And discovering only two years ago that a long time friend is actually his daughter has just made this gem even more delirious with love!
A True Legend!
Andreas Åbling Petersen
If any of you pass through the South - West Region of Jylland, Ol' Vikingville, drop him a line and I am sure he will welcome you if you welcome him into your day.
The first time I spoke to him he said, "I have a friend in Australia, Peter Kidman, maybe you know him?". This is often said, but with Andreas there was a glimmer of hope in his voice, he was serious. I got an idea as to who he would be.
His favourite motto is "If you dont have what you need, then use what you have." I saw this put into practice when we attached what looked like a mid to late 13th century trailer, to his original 1954 tractor and literally, took it for a walk.
It must have sat in the one place since shortly after production 700+ years ago, until now, for both tyres had a hard, flat edge and looked quite comfortable where they were. Giving me a good idea as to how hard it must have been before the wheel was invented.
This tonne of steel and rotten wood ... bounced ... down the track (which was lined 20ft high of what some people would consider junk, (but to him it may be useful one day) rocking the tractor from side to side with him inside.
I was following in a van with Paul, a good friend of his that spoke no english, but luckily for us there was no time for any conversation as the image in front of us was keeping us in a fit of laughter, tears welling both for the sight in front and the lack of videoa camera.
When the wheels finally locked up, it dragged, gouging great canyons into the muddy Danish path under the load. The trailor had prior issues with the corner it seemed, for it wouldn't co-operate at all, which is when he got out of his shell of a rusting machine and said... "we'll just leave it here". And that we did.
Yesterday, I got to watch him juggle four languages with an ignorant Aussie who speaks scattered (or more realistically) next to zero languages and should work on his English (apparently), two Germans and one from Latvia, and Andreas bursting into a stream of roarkess laughter, when he catches me laughing away, catching him speaking German to me, Danish to the Latvian or Latvian or English to the German, or a mix of all four. Then finish it off with his Latvian phraze - "Loti Vienkarsi (it's very simple), but I am tired... I Æ Å..."
We were standing on the waters edge of Denmark when I mentioned the setting sun over the ocean..without a break of contemplation this 68.146 year young man returned, "I've often though of digging an ocean on my farm".
He calls himself an Organic Peasant.
Host and founder of an annual art-symposium on his farm; for painters, wood carvers or just anyone who wants to be a part of igniting the spark of a place full of such tremendous energy, he welcomes all.
There are too many stories and classic scenarios each day to list from this man who has spent 30 years building a stone wall around his house and has planned to rob the local bank at Bredebro, this is the first time, but I have to continue to write them down.
A real activist for what he believes from way back, he was booted from the Danish Liberal Party, founded the Free Farmers Union and an annual human aid program to Latvia.
He is a star shining so brightly its no wonder he is a member of the Danish Blind Society, a soul screaming so loudly its also no wonder you have to scream back for him to hear.
And discovering only two years ago that a long time friend is actually his daughter has just made this gem even more delirious with love!
A True Legend!
Andreas Åbling Petersen
If any of you pass through the South - West Region of Jylland, Ol' Vikingville, drop him a line and I am sure he will welcome you if you welcome him into your day.
writes somewhereinscotland at 3:13 pm
Hi Tim,
Just read your blog, sounds like you're having fun and adventures still! Here is the link to my blog if you want to check up on me!
http://au.360.yahoo.com/christina.fielding
love ya/miss ya Christina
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