Wheelchair-accessible shelter

My shelter is not really intended for sleeping. There is a table and a bench, just wide enough for my mat. It’s a good thing I sleep quietly, otherwise, I might roll off. The spot is set up for fishermen and wheelchair-accessible. When I arrived, there were two women in mobility scooters and a man in a wheelchair chatting. “Sleeping? Sure, for one night that’s fine.” That reassured me since I was uncertain if I could stay here.

The art of living by a babbling river

All night I hear the water bubbling. A lovely sound. As I look at the fast-flowing river in the morning, I think of something I often remind myself: go with the flow, and you will get further. Resistance takes energy and only prolongs suffering. But then I realize that the salmon here swim upstream every spring to lay their eggs. Going with the flow is clearly not always the right choice. Perhaps the art of living is knowing when to go with the flow and when to swim against the current.

Greetings on the way, rare in Norway

After yesterday’s ‘boring’ route, today is a different story. First, I follow the river downstream, wonderfully beautiful, and then a steep climb with stunning views awaits. At the top of the mountain, two people greet me. Remarkable, because here you are rarely spoken to on the way. In fact, usually, no one even greets you.

Fellow countrymen

The man asks something about my Wheelie, and soon I hear the familiar accent. Dutch. Tina and Ronald from Wageningen. They ask about the Norwegians. They’ve also noticed that no one says hello. That’s true. I also find it remarkable, especially when you encounter each other in the middle of nature. But they are certainly not rude. On the contrary. A Norwegian will not easily interfere with you uninvited, but as soon as you ask something, they are incredibly friendly and helpful.

Open spot in the woods

After doing grocery shopping for two days – on Sundays, most supermarkets are closed in Norway – in the charming Sarpsborg with its unique art expressions, like the young Olav, who emerges from the water, the count stands at 29.9 kilometers. My shelter for tonight is in an open in the woods. I wonder what the current of tomorrow will bring! 

Overnight stay: Skjeberg