Telemark

Telemark skiing is a beautiful style of skiing which I enjoy each winter. A few days ago I came through the area where the Norwegian, Sondre Norheim, developed the telemark skiing style on a shaped ski back in 1866 and subsequently won many ski competitions. I found a museum in Mørgetal where he was born and learned to ski. There is an Olympic flame here which has been lit several times for the 1952 Oslo and 1994 Lillehammer Olympics. The drive up over the Hardanger Vidda was just as amazing as the Jotunheimen area, good elevation, lots of snow and would be good skiing if I brought my skis. It was windy and quite cool, +5C.

One thing that distinguishes Norway (other than the fjords, petroleum and fishing) are the Stave churches. There are only about 32 left in Norway and I seen 3 I have never been to, including the one in Heddal, which is Norway's largest one. These are made entirely of wood and preserved on the exterior with a pine tar pitch that coats it black\brown and smells of burnt pine. Very unique and with great wood carvings inside, and a roof like the inside of a Viking boat.

Found a nice hostel in Kongsberg, cycled to the silver mines there and drove into Oslo early yesterday. Today is +25C just north of Oslo, and I went out for a 50km ride in the sun which is supposed to last until rain comes again Tuesday. My flight is 11:30am Monday so I will miss it.

Food has been good - lots of whole grain and wheat breads, sliced cheese (ost) and meats, 3 kinds of herring and musli with coffee for most breakfasts. Two buns have become my favorites - skolebolle (school roll), a pastry with custard, icing and coconut and cannellebolle, a cinnamon roll. Weiner pølse is a great tasting hot dog. While staying in Stavanger, on Talgje, Benjamin's mom made several special dinners - the best was crepes with butter and blueberry preserve that accompanied a yellow pea soup with sausage, potato (potet) and carrots 8 (gulrot)in it. Fresh tomatoes (tomat) and cucumber (agurk) accompany breakfast, lunch and dinners.

Well, tonight I must re-pack my bike and all the gear. The helpful people and beautiful countryside have made this a great tour. I will add some photos when I return home - my USB card reader did not work.
Hade bro, have a good one,
Neil

Stavanger

Now have spent several days in and around Stavanger - in the rain again. There is a lot of Viking history here and on the island of Talgje where I am staying with Benjamin's family. This is a small island accessible only by ferry, although they are building a tunnel as over time it is cheaper than a ferry system and more sustainable. We hiked up to the highest point (54m) was where a viking grave was located from about 1000AD. Yesterday, due to rain, we went to the Norwegian Oil Museum for some history of the oil boom in Norway. We took a ferry up Lysefjord to Lysebotn and saw the Preikestolen and Kjerag. Back to dinner and then went to the Talgje Church which was built between 1130 and 1150AD. They have a beautiful organ which I was pleased to play. Depends on weather again, but rain is predicted tomorrow and then to improve toward the weekend. 

I want some sun!

Neil

Galdhøpiggan Peak

May 23
It was amazing to come over the Jotunheimen National park and see the huge mountains of central Norway. Yesterday, Knut and I spent the day with harness, crampons and ice tools on Nigardsbreen glacier walking up about 350m in elevation and the skies were a mix of sun-cloud so got some good photos. Unfortunately, my usb is not working and I can´t upload any new photos.

Today we joined 5 of Knut´s friends and did some ski mountaineering in the Jotunheimen. We skied to the top of 4 - 2000m peaks including Galdhøpiggan, the highest point in Norway and northern Europe at 2469m. Four peaks in one day! It is absolutely amazing here.

I am off to southern Norway in the morning, taking a ferry to the mainland and heading to Stavanger arriving sometime Monday and hopefully meeting up with Benjamin. We plan to visit Lysefjord, and hike to the Preikestølen, and possibly the Kjerag, a chockstone between two mountain bluffs.

Hoping all is well wherever you are!

Neil

Independance Day May 17 Oslo

The weather has been a mixed bag but for the Norwegian national holiday, things turned out well. So many people on Karl Johann lined up in traditional dress, eating ice cream and waving their flags, it was very festive. Students celebrate their grad by wearing red painter pants and party from May 1 until now. They are getting tired now, but it is a rite of passage.

Everyone is also celebrating Alexander who won the Eurovision song contest in Moscow on Saturday. This is a big event and every radio is playing the song and you hear it everywhere. ABBA won this back in the 1970's with Waterloo!

Overnight it began to rain again and all day today. Arrived in Lillehammer hostel mid afternoon after a stop in Hamar to see the hall where the Olympic figure skating was held in 1994. The building is like upturned Viking ship.

The weather forecast is not good. Rain for the next 5 days, snow at higher elevations. It seems I missed the good weather by a few days.

Off to Otta tomorrow. The girl at the hostel says that if it is clear at night, it usually rains all the next day. Well, it is clearing, rainy up north. I will have to wait and see.

Pray for SUN!

Neil

Enough training...ready to go

I have my 2 panniers packed, passport, rail tickets, and with my hydration pack and a credit card I am off in less than 48 hours. I will arrive Saturday afternoon and arrange to leave the bike box at Gardermoen Oslo airport until Monday when I start riding to Lillehammer. I plan to take in the National Independance Day celebrations in Oslo on Sunday, May 17. More later.

Neil