So with midsummer over the days start to draw shorter but yesterdays Norwegian celebrations were extraordinary – beach bonfires and party’s despite the lack of electricity and driving rain – there was no way the party was going to be spoiled. Personally I think Gudbrandsdalen is an acquired taste but when sitting on the beach eating it with some haddock crisps and nuts its a taste which perhaps is growing on me.
Elks on the road
I learnt two valuable lessons today, the first is native Swedish deer are as stubborn as welsh mountain sheep and can appear from nowhere at the road edge – another reason for keeping the speed down, the second is elk are huge and very shy, I was able to spot at around 300m a couple of adult elk by the side of a track just south of Sorsele, coming to a stop they watched me with interest before gently ambling in front of me and disappearing into the forest – a truly magical experience.
Truckers know best
On any long distance ride when I need a place to rest or eat I just follow the truckers, most of the best truck stops I have seen are hidden from view or behind trailer parking but the opportunity to take a rest break, shower and get some hot food is never to be passed up.
