DANSK TEKST
Drejet
Måske du allerede vidste, at Avernakø består af to øer, Avernakø og Korshavn, som blev dannet af det, der blev efterladt af den smeltede is, efter istiden for omkring 12.000 år siden.
Oprindeligt var de to øer adskilte, men havet førte sten, sand og grus med sig fra øerne og aflejrede det mellem dem, hvilket skabte et smalt stykke land, der på sydfynsk blev kaldt et "drej."
Vejret og vindene ændrede løbende på drejet, hvilket gjorde at det ikke altid var muligt at krydse Drejet tørskoet. Flere mennesker har desværre mistet livet i forsøget, på grund af uventede vinde og strømme. Derfor foregik meget af trafikken mellem Korshavn og Avernak med båd.
En af historierne er delt af Maren Degn Rasmussen, som efter hendes konfirmation skulle besøge sine forældre på Avernakø.
Den unge pige stod ved Drejet, der var overskyllet af vand med et tyndt lag is. Hun vidste godt, at det ikke var helt sikkert - men hun skulle jo hen til sine forældre. Så hun begav sig ud på den farlige færd. Forinden havde hun slået sit ben, så det gjorde ikke udfordringen igennem det iskolde vand nemmere.
Som hun gik mere og mere i det kolde vand, kunne hun til sidst ikke holde tårerne tilbage, og hun kaldte på sin mor i fortvivlelse. Selvom turen var lang og kold, gav den unge pige ikke op.
Da hun endelig nåede over til Avernakø og fik sine strømper igen, kunne hun mærke varmen vende tilbage i benene. Det var som om, saltvandet havde helbredende kræfter, for hendes dårlige ben og såret var nærmest forsvundet efterfølgende.
I 1923 søgte Korshavns beboere Avernak Sogneråd om bevilling til at bygge en vej hen over Drejet, da de væsentlige funktioner som skole, postvæsen, kirke og handelsforbindelse lå på Avernaksiden. Efter den første afvisning tog læreren på Korshavn sagen i egen hånd. Han talte med amt og kommune og rejste til sidst til København for at tale med ministeren for offentlige arbejder.
Endelig lykkedes det i 1937. Arbejdet blev sat i gang, og dæmningen dannede vejen til et samlet Avernakø. Arbejdet blev udført af unge arbejdsløse fra fastlandet, hvor rigtig mange efterfølgende blev boende på Avernakø.
The Causeway
ENGLISH VERSION
Perhaps you already knew that Avernakø consists of two islands, Avernakø and Korshavn, formed by what was left behind by the melting ice after the last Ice Age about 12,000 years ago.
Originally, these two islands were separate, but the sea brought stones, sand, and gravel from the islands and deposited them between them, creating a narrow strip of land called a causeway.
Weather and winds constantly changed the causeway, making it not always possible to cross it with dry feet. Unfortunately, several people lost their lives in the attempt due to unexpected winds and currents. Consequently, much of the traffic between Korshavn and Avernak was conducted by boat.
One of the stories is shared by a woman called Maren, who, after her confirmation, was to visit her parents on Avernakø.
The young girl stood at the causeway, which was flooded with water with a thin layer of ice. She knew it wasn't entirely safe, but she had to reach her parents. So, she embarked on the dangerous journey. Prior to that, she had injured her leg, so the icy water made the challenge even more difficult.
As she went deeper into the cold water, she couldn't hold back her tears and cried out for her mother in despair. Even though the journey was long and cold, the young girl didn't give up.
When she finally reached Avernakø and put her socks back on, she could feel the warmth returning to her legs. It was as if the saltwater had healing powers, for her injured leg and wound had almost disappeared afterward.
In 1923, the residents of Korshavn applied to the Avernak Parish Council for permission to build a road across the causeway since essential functions such as the school, postal service, church, and trade were located on the Avernak side. After the initial rejection, the teacher in Korshavn took matters into his own hands. He spoke with the county and municipality and finally traveled to Copenhagen to speak with the Minister for Public Works.
Finally, in 1937, success was achieved. The work began, and the causeway formed the road to a united Avernakø. The work was carried out by young unemployed people from the mainland, many of whom subsequently chose to settle on Avernakø.