Recap - Weeks two and three

It feels like these weeks have gone both quickly and slowly. Time can do funny things.

Over these two weeks we have travelled through northern Denmark, passed over to Kristiansand by ferry and begun the long cycle up the Norwegian coast. It’s been a learning curve as we have passed through the initial ‘holiday’ period and settle in mentally and physically to this being our new life. But overall it has been an absolute smash!

As you may have read, we were lucky enough to stay with a very kind Danish friend in Worcester who, before we left, could be a tour guide for the part of our trip from Aalborg to Hirtshals. This involved a fantastic ride along a beach and staying in some amazing shelters and huts along the way. There was also an excellent lighthouse and bunker to stop in at along the way… much to Sam’s delight. Lighthouses may pop up again later in this post!

We were also going to visit a huge moving sand dune at one of Denmark’s most exposed points but as the forecasts predicted 45+ mph winds, we decided to take an earlier ferry and make the crossing to Norway. We’re really enjoying the time and space to be able to change plans and the flexibility that is offered by this being a long term adventure.

After the peacefulness of Denmark, arriving in Kristiansand with all of its shops and people took a bit of getting used to. Arriving on the eve of Midsommer or Sankthans (24th June) we spent the day exploring the city before joining in the big bonfire celebrations.

Starting our route around the Norwegian coast, things got hilly. Fast. Denmark had been flat and relatively easy riding but Norway had other plans. The hills were short but plentiful and the descents were equally as entertaining. Around every corner was a new view, all of which were breathtaking.

The next few days were tough with lots of ascents including some really steep ones on gravel track. I wrote a short blog about this but, on reflection, really sugar-coated it. These few days I found tough and really frustrating. It is easy for negative thinking to take over and I give up on a climb before I’ve really even tried. This comes from a fear of not being able to unclip (which I’ve part-solved by not wearing my SPD sandals lately) and I guess, the fear of failure. Sam equally finds it frustrating as he knows I’ve succeeded at more or similarly difficult climbs at other times so can’t always understand why one particular hill will cause me so much trouble. Writing this now, I’ve managed to smash some hills that I wouldn’t have thought possible so I’m going to run with that confidence for the coming travels.

The views have been incredible and we’ve stopped off at more lighthouses. And, some of the segregated infrastructure on the ‘old roads’ has been well worth the effort and experience especially when you’re away from the hundreds of motorhomes also navigating Norway.

Both wild camping and campsites have been needed for this trip and the latter have been largely inexpensive and within our budget (especially when Sam gets going on Too Good To Go…). A shower and somewhere to wash our clothes are little luxuries and we’ve also stayed a couple of nights in a cabin to rest and recuperate, off the road. We’ll keep building this into our trip as it also gives us an opportunity to go sightseeing.

The sightseeing theme continues as we have arrived in Stavanger and will be staying a few nights here at campsites and with friends of friends (thanks Kathy and Gunthild!). We’ve also arrived on the 200th anniversary of the first organised emigration ship to America from Norway so I’m signing off to go head down to watch a replica ship set sail…