2 to Tangen

We really are going to bed too early! 7.30 last night and woke up at 4.30 , rearing to go 😳
Had to fill in time though as it was foggy and a bit dangerous until it cleared. It's now 7am and just clearing.
The goal is Hamer by lunch time and then see how we feel





The trail led us through a forest and a farm. All the sheep had bells on! I guess it's for passing other sheep.
As we get further south you can feel it slowly warming up. It's a great cycle trail and well marked. It's following the pilgrim route and there are old markers showing the way











Arrived right on 12. This is a lovely town right on the lake. Unfortunately the gypsies are moving in to Norway. We watched a guy pull up in a van and drop several women off to sit and beg all day.





Mobility scooters for the cold !
They'd need them too 😬
The farms and sheds are huge.
For that matter so are all the churches. Shame to see them locked but the gypsies will pinch anything








It says 500 kms to Trondheim
This lone pilgrim , only 19, was heading there but because of the conditions over the high country , she is going to finish in Lillehamer then come back in mid July when it warms up. WISE MOVE


Good luck Lisa. She says there is a good camp in Tangen so that's where we'll head.


Hey this ones got a dunny and all!

Moelv

The forecast was for rain by noon so we had breakfast at 6.30 and got on the road by 7.10.
To give an idea of prices here in Norway, this is a hostel, admitably a flash one, and cost 1070 kroner.
About $200.
Mind you the breakfast was excellent.


We hoped to get in about 30kms before the rain, taking us to Moelv where I knew there was a camp site. The biking was good with separate trails beside the road or little back roads where we hardly saw a car. EVEN saw a church !long abandoned though








Running repairs. My handle bars collapsed as I was going down a hill, Christine's front wheel wasn't done up! CRIPES !!
The drivers are very polite and even the main road feels very safe . This guy was taking up more space than we do. He's practicing for cross country skiing and is actually going uphill here . We couldn't catch him although Christine tried hard. She said he had a great arse 😳


I've been fascinated by Norways history. This was a battle site in the 2nd WW


Arrived in Moelv before lunch and found our camp. It's a very cosy little cabin so we'll catch up on some reading

Lillehammer

What a day 😃 We woke early to a light fall of sleet but by the time we were at the bus stop it had cleared.





Still damned cold though.Luckily we Bought gloves and hats the day before .
It's going to be far too cold in the hills to the south so decided to take the train to the other side of the ranges . Lillehammer , the site of the Winter Olympics a little while ago .
Meanwhile, the info centre traced our bikes to a warehouse on the outside of town so we caught a bus and went and got them. I tried out the bike elevator on the way back to the station. Several people were waiting with cameras for some mug to ride it so I reluctantly gave it a go. CRASH ! Fell off on the first attempt and made it halfway up on the second.











National geographic rate this as one of the top railways in the world. Looking forward to this












The stations got quainter.











The temperature got colder











The houses got cuter











And this lake was still frozen over !
The conductor pointed out some rare musk ox, some elks and a moose. To top it of , the sun came out for the whole trip
Great trip, we feel just like real tourists





The BnB is part of this station so we won't be going far
One things for sure, we're glad we didn't try to bike over that section

Trondheim

This is a good chance to do some sightseeing while we wait for our bikes !
First up, the Nidaros cathedral. Built on the top of St Olav's tomb and the most northerly gothic cathedral . Christine lit a candle or 2 while I explored the museum next door. Wow these people have been at war with a lot of country's





Next door is the oldest bridge in Norway. That river is only 8kms long but is 56 metres deep in places! Also a very good one for salmon I'm told


Across the old city bridge is the worlds only bike elevator. It takes you up to Fort Christiansen

I spent a few hours on the warmth of the information centre tracing the bikes. Gave up in the end and will try again tomorrow. Here's our BnB , on the top floor, and our lovely hostess Dona with Gula . Check out his BnB

Norway ! Brr

It was chilly when we left our hotel in San Francisco. Then we had Trouble getting the bikes into the shuttle, too big, THEN the staff at check in wanted more cardboard around them😡 Side stepped that one . It was a relief to see them wheeled away ,oh boy .They'll go in a bag next time


Flying Lufthansa for this bit to Frankfurt in a 380. Look at the size inside !


But just a little'n to Oslo


It's Constitution day here in Norway and everyone's in traditional dress. This lady though , was just breaking the news to me that they'd left my bike in San Francisco😟
There's a song in there some where






We're tucked up in bed at our airBnB now. It's as cold as charity outside 😁The airline assures me that the bikes will arrive tomorrow
That would be nice but we're not panicking
(yet)

We're off

We spent the last night at David and Maxine's and walked the bikes down to the bus stop together. Its traditional for pilgrims to carry a scallop shell on their packs so David is giving me one of his . It has a special meaning for us





The bikes caused a bit of trouble this time. Air NZ wanted more packaging but eventually gave in. They wouldn't fit through the X-ray machine so a dog gave them the once over.
Love these new planes of Air NZ , the seats lift up to make a bed ( if you're quick enough to grab one)








Comfort Inn . San Francisco . Our body clocks are up the creek so I'm doing this at 2am