Our LP guide is out of date…We eventually gave up looking for the tourist info office and headed for our accomodation (some 3km away uphill). We arrived at a delapidated old house with junk strewn across the garden. I was worried, V even more so. Turned out to be a place the guesthouse owner is renovating. Apparently our host would have collected us at the station and taken us to the guesthouse perfectly located some 500m away from town. Should have checked email and confirmed the address before we arrived. Another lesson learnt.

In stunning sunny weather (hot when the wind stops) we headed into town to check out some museums and get some info about fjord tours. No surprise , the tourist info office and all the museums were closed.

The town was full of the Norwegian equivalent of ‘Matriculants’ celebrating the end of exams. Apparently 16000 Russ had decended on Stavenger for a weeknd of debauchery – explaining why we battled to get accomodation.

The town centre is beautiful. Narrow winding streets of old and modern buildings lining the harbour and surrounding hills. Since we are staying here for 3 nights we stocked up on supplies – eating in is significantly cheaper than eating out. We found Marie biscuits ! They look the same but taste different 🙂

– Posted from my iPhone

Norway is imediately more impressive than Denmark. Rocky coast, hills, forests, more than 3 people per street. We arrived at Kristiansand and after ditching our gear we went for a walk.

Four hours later we had walked around the slightly scenic Odderoya Island, along the bay and beach, and around the old and new town. We had no luck finding the famous palm trees. They must still be locked away for the winter. Really (its in the lonely planet so it must be true), they are the only ones in Norway and are brought out of hiding to the beach during summer.

The 17th century fort was closed until next week (a trend begins) so we opted for an earlier night and domestic chores.

In the morning we were planning on going to see the canon museum, but again.. closed for the winter. Pity, it’s the second largest canon in the world. A WWII relic that could fire half way to Denmark. So we got up and strolled around town before catching the train to Stavanger.

We are not ‘yet’ accustomed to travel. The daily grind of finding food, accomodation and transportation along with seeing what we have come to see is far from relaxing. We expected nothing less.

– Posted from my iPhone

Hirtshals was as dead as Hamlet. We ate dinner in one of the 2 open resturants. Being the only patrons they closed up as soon as we left – the sun was still up!

In the morning we headed to the only tourist attraction, the largest aquarium in Europe. Impressive 8m high piece of glass, playful seals and huge sunfish, but no sharks. They are renovating the place so we scored ‘meal’ vouchers – if you can call coffee and cake a meal.

The ferry (Fjord Cat) to Norway was quick, and rough. It sounded like the bottles in the duty free shop were not going to make it. V and I avoided getting sea sick by keeping our eyes closed for most of the trip.

– Posted from my iPhone

We have blitzed through Denmark faster than the Germans. Esbjerg was not too intersting, but we did just stroll through it from the ferry to the train station.

The Danes, their trains and the weather have been great. ‘Rural’ Denmark seems to consist of flat green farmland, wind turbines, waterways, freakishly considerate people and manure (hopefully just the time of year).

I’ve been looking out of the train window in search of the famous Lurpak Cows. Don’t believe everything you see on TV – the cows here don’t seem to have their own fun-fares.

Tonight we are in Hirtshals (if you say it like it is written the ladies at the ticket office will have no idea where you want to go). Then tomorrow morning it’s off to Norway – that’s where the cool stuff starts.

– Posted from my iPhone

Denmark! Country # 2 If you include England – we do.

V was reading me a bit on their history, culture etc. Seems we will be fine as long as we don’t; tip the waiters (they earn too much), insult the monarchy or the flag. And we will need to be on time, walk fast and never.. ever.. order tea (they drink more coffee per capita than any other nation).

– Posted from my iPhone

We’ve passed the Greenwich Meridian by train and boarded the DFDS Dana Sirena to Denmark. The next imaginary line of any significance we’ll be crossing is the Arctic Circle. Once again I was stopped at security for a ‘random’ check. I must look really guilty – it seems every time I go through security I get stopped (a little confirmation bias possibly).

Next stop – Esbjerg, Denmark.

A note on posts. We will try write posts as often as possible, but will only be able to upload when we get access. Pics with posts will be iPhone photos, so excuse the quality. I will upload galleries when we can use a pc (wish iPhone took an SD card !)

Posted from my iPhone

Well it’s finally here. Over a year of dreaming and plotting and we are now standing on platform 2 at Stockport station. Miserable gloomy day here and we are both pretty quite with the odd nervous giggle. Not sure what we have gotten ourselves into.
[Update] We’re on the train out to the ferry and just met a couple (must be in their mid 50’s) who are riding their bikes and camping from Denmark to Venice! Feeling decidedly wimpy.

Posted from my iPhone

Insert smart caption here - I've had too much beer

No big arms allowed. How long before we have another ‘home cooked’ meal ?
[added] Thanks J&S for everything. Was great to relax for a few days and get everything in order. With a bit of luck we won’t see you until next year 🙂

It’s a bank holiday here today, so we are just lazing around with J&S and sorting a few odds and ends for the trip. Feels odd to be on permanent ‘holiday’. We spent yesterday afternoon at a braai with some safas and zimbos in Liverpool. We stuffed ourselves on meat and wors (enough to keep us going for a few months). Geat food, great company – thanks to the hosts et al. Iron Man II tonight 🙂 vaccines tomorrow 🙁