Escaping from the scouts

Sleeping on the ‘veranda’ is pleasant, but I’m not entirely at ease. I wake up early, which isn’t unusual, but I decide to get up right away. You never know, I might have the scouts in my ‘tent’. Better to avoid confrontation. But maybe I’m worrying for nothing; the Norwegians seem very relaxed.

Early record broken

I break my early record by hours. By quarter past seven, after coffee and breakfast, I’m already on my way. The wrong path, though, as I encounter impenetrable bramble bushes and can do nothing but turn back. I don’t lose much time, but I find myself walking past my veranda again. No one in sight.

Camping worries

Today is going to be warm, so it’s good that I got up early. Still, I’m a bit worried about finding a camping spot. I just can’t seem to trust that it will always work out. The advice I so often give to others, but for some reason, my mind is not following that today.

Berries in the making

The trail begins over beautifully winding forest paths, paved with pine needles, so soft, so soft. The forest floor is covered with berry bushes, and the first little berries are cautiously emerging, small and brightly green. In a few weeks, there will be a sea of purple here. I’m already looking forward to my future self-picked berry breakfast because nothing can top that.

Dreamy Drammen

Slowly, I approach the city of Drammen. From above, I can see it all: bridges, a beautiful cathedral where a wedding is taking place at that very moment, and stately buildings. The Norwegians are visibly enjoying the nice weather. The terraces are full, just like the largest sandbox I have ever seen, right in the city. Children are having a great time with shovels and buckets. A delightful scene.

My lake, my dream spot

But now on to ‘my lake’. I decide to go off the route again. It’s only one and a half kilometers back, and with this weather, now that it’s 29 degrees, what could be better than a swim? It turns out to be more than welcome, as I had overlooked the fact that I also had to climb almost two hundred meters in the scorching heat over that short distance. It’s suffering with a capital S.

But the reward makes it all worthwhile. I have arrived at the absolute dream location. And camping is also allowed here!

Overnight stay: Klopptjern