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.

Christiania - a shattered dream

I do miss my little hut in the woods of Sweden..

I left with the image in my head of a free hippe commune inthe centre of Copenhagen. )as was described to me by Dina, and lovely Finish visitor). Upon hearing about it, I immediately decided to papck my bags and head on down, looking for work for food and bed, but more to meet and mingle with some like´minded people in life.

I walked the hour or so from the train station, not stopping to look or emmerse myself in copenhagen in any way, as I didnt quite like the bustle after the sleepy sway of the forest. I did have a small gift though and found myself walking alongside a bunch of school kids on a stroll through the streets. 8 or 9 years old, full of life, laugfhter and positive energy, and well, I found comfort by their side.

But upon walking through the Gates of Christiania, first erected in '71 as a push against anything anti´social, and all I dound was a haven for drug pushers, fires in the street with some dodgy looking characters standing around and simply a very dark and dire place. I had told myself I would sit and wait and see what heppened, so I did. But the only response or approach I got was fgrom a friendly but hungry dog. One smile from what looked like one of tghe original members of such a place, but the rest was colourless and quite a cold emotion.

It seemed to be the place that now has become a simple backdoor hangout of those looking for a bit of loitering. A touch dissapointing considering the dream i had in mind od a wonderfully colourful atmosphere of freedom.

So I dragged myself sourly to the YHA and handed over a large percentage of what I have left for a bed and then learned that Christiania the 'commune' was raided and shut down by the fearful politicians.

So now where..??

tim out but not down..