The history of Æblegaarden

Driven by the dream of a simpler life, with the wind in our hair and dirt under the fingernails, we exchanged in 2000 the small apartment in Copenhagen for a big old farm in the west of Zealand. Here we started Æblegaarden with B&B and a venue for small workshops. To begin with, we had big plans for the rebuilding of a 400m2 barn which would hold more rooms, bathrooms and a conference room.

However we were soon to discover, that we liked the more personal style that the initial smaller space had forced upon us. We enjoyed that the guests had their meals in the kitchen together with us and were not just “anonymous strangers”. Soon it became a lifestyle for us and a benchmark for our business. The renovation of the barn was dropped.

But what about the many empty buildings? And what about the economy? With room for only 12 guests at a time and no allowance for having employees? After four years of running around like busy bees, we realized that although we had plenty of wind in the hair and dirt under the nails – and not least many wonderful experiences with our guests – we once again landed in the rat-race, without any sign of change.

One morning we woke up and looked each other deep in the eyes and decided to sell.

Within only two weeks we had a buyer and the hunt went in to find a new place. A place that was half the size and half the price – but at least as charming and with the possibility of creating a cosy little B&B with 2-3 rooms.

And one thing we agreed: We would not buy anything that needed rebuilding.

After a while our search led us across Kattegat to Fuen and the long island just below it, Langeland, which won our hearts. So when the date of the takeover came closer and we hadn’t yet found a new place, this was where we rented a small cottage, where we could live until we found the perfect spot.

It took almost a year and a half until we one sunny day in May 2006 fell completely in love with the flowering apple trees in the front garden, the old wooden floors, the high ceilings and the majestic double doors in what later became “The New Æblegaarden”.

There was just one little detail: The house needed a thorough restoration!

And there was only one thing to do: Get on with it and give it the grand tour. It included two new bathrooms and a big kitchen, both established from the ground, doors and walls were moved to suit our needs, new windows everywhere, insulation under the old planks and a brand new geothermal heating system was established. Among other things.

It was clearly one of those projects where we asked our self many times HOW ON EARTH we could conceive the thought to start at all? But by now the only thing we could do was to carry on. And now, that everything is painted with several litres of white paint and is sparkly and new, of course it was all worth it! Now we just hope that a lot of wonderful guests will find their way to our place and help us enjoy the fruit of our pursuits. And maybe also bear over with us a little for what we have not yet accomplished. Because now it’s time for the garden and the barn and….Well, I wonder if we’ll ever reach the simple life we once dreamed of. But wind in our hair and dirt under the nails – that we have!

Update March 2010

Since the opening in 2008 we had a lot of nice and satisfied customers - in fact it’s been beyond our expectations with MANY guests in the summer season, but also a few guests autumn, winter and spring, just as we want it!

In the spring and summer of 2009 we worked hard to create a garden in the old courtyard and get the buildings and exterior woodwork painted. A big mouthful that we have not completely finished. So we will continue this spring, where we also hope to finally get some chicken to be cozy around the garden and produce eggs for breakfast. Garden Projects - and other measures - can now also be followed on the blog, http://aeblegaarden.blogspot.com

The blog is written in Danish – but we suggest you try Google translate, if you want to read it.

Here on the website we have created a picture gallery where you can see pictures of the house before, during and after our rebuilding, and of our wonderful environment in general. We hope it gives even more people the wish to visit us and look forward to a lively season 2010.

Jacob Burén

Employed as an IT Manager in a motor company with divisions in Odense, Kolding, Haderslev and Padborg. He is also somewhat of a handy-man, a passionate beekeeper and father for Olivia age 14. Other interests includes food, gardening, ecology, music, design etc.

Sannie Terese Burén

Emphasizes the adventure of life and loves good stories. Debuted as a writer in 2008 with the fairytale story "Randolph Olsen - an angel comes to town." Is also affiliated the local venue Sukkerfabriken as a temp cook. Other interests include therapy and personal development, horseback riding, cats, garden and ecology.