10 June 2019 - Neumunster to Kristiansand. 393 miles


The day started wet, but after an hour when we crossed the Danish border (there was a sign this time) the weather gradually improved and we were able to enjoy most of the day bombing (the speed limit is 50, but it seems to be honoured more in the breach) down well-maintained roads through flat but bucolic countryside. 


The Toad was on top form again and even the Bevel Box was a little less intrusive. There really is nothing better than sitting in this thing (as I am now, stuck at the terminal gates with nothing happening) on a dry, car-free road; that energising feeling of being slightly out of control as one whizzes along.

And then we reached Hirtshals to catch the Kristiansand ferry. Followed the signs to the terminal. Locked. Went to the check in gates. Locked. So off we went looking for someone who could direct us. Not a soul about; just a handful of similarly confused vehicles driving round the port in the hope that someone would tell them what was going on. Only Tumbleweed was missing. 


With time to kill, we explored the lovely coastal woodland only a couple of minutes from the port. And there we came across Hirtshals Golf Club, whose members were kind enough to let me play a couple of pretty holes; and a long beach lapped by beautifully blue water.


In time, a queue does form (Germans first, naturlich) but a steward comes to the M3W and says "This one is special. Come this way". And he asked me to station myself right here.


The hydrofoil zipped across a calm Skagerrak at 35 knots. An excellent All You Can Eat restaurant with a considerable number of All I Can Eat patrons. The man a few feet from me (I am writing this as we cross) is most of the way through his second lap and, if time permits, I dare say he might attempt a third.


Tomorrow we head north, hug the Hardanger Fjord and cross Europe's largest high plateau. It should be impressive.



PS: I can't be the only one in this: no matter how many books one takes on one's travels, they have all been read by Day 3. Not difficult in this case - of the two I packed, I realised that I had read one already; and the other, le Carre's most recent, was impossible to put down. 


The flip side of not having a travelling companion to talk to.






Comments

  1. Edward BearJune 11, 2019 at 9:10 AM

    Loving the spirit of adventure you got going on here. I was (un)lucky enough to drive all around Nordkapp and Finnmark 2 summers ago in the relative comfort of a modern car and regretted not being in a morgan.
    I attempted the trip about 2 weeks later than you and had for the most part very decent weather. It does get cold up there but the roads are just out of this world. Do make a stop in Hammerfest to sign up to the Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society.
    Looking forward to reading the rest of your adventure. All the best. Edward

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