Days 49 to 55 - One tired skier
I forgot to mention,, Trond is no longer smiling. Not since Abisco in fact. It’s not because of the eyewateringly huge bill we paid there. Nor is it because he is no longer the most cheerful member of our party. No. It is because he seems to have lost half of one of his front teeth. Fortunately there was and is no pain, but because he now has a smile like an unlucky hockey player he refuses to smile for photos. Unfortunately, failing to smile properly means that when he does “smile” for photos he looks remarkably like Dr. Bunsen-Honeydew, from the Muppets.
Dr. Bunsen-Honeydew I presume
I’m sure his wife would prefer his good old toothy grin regardless of the damage. But, I can’t convince him.
On the subject of Trond’s wife. I should take this opportunity to thank her. Karin (for that is her name) has provided us with weather forecasts via the Inreach device, booked hotels for us when we have had no signal and, most importantly, told Trond occasionally that he shouldn’t compare my ability to his. Thanks Karin. (By the way, he’s still doing it.)
It is now Sunday 3rd April. We have covered 1,254 km over 55 days (including 5 bad weather days) and have been out of signal since Kautokeino, 6 days ago.
We have done sone big kilometre days in that time and I must admit, I am very tired.
So, this blog will be short and mostly photos. If you want more detail there are 2 ways you can get it.
Listen to my audio diaries on either BBC Radio Hereford and Worcestershire, or BBC Radio Berkshire
BUY THE BOOK! (Which I haven’t written yet) Still looking for suggestions for a title by the way.
To keep it short (the blog not the book. The book will go on and on and…) it will be mostly photos. My apologies to those few (very few) people who might miss my scintillating writing (read: Random ramblings).
I don’t know. You wait 40 days to see one up close and then 300 come along all at once.
The above reindeer thought Pulky, who I was pulling, was filled with food for them. Trond said he had never seen me ski so fast.
This building, now å mountain hut, at Láhpoluoppal (good luck pronouncing that one), was the only building in the area not burned to the ground by the Germans during WW2. They used it as a small barrack room when patrolling the area.
My how Trond did laugh!
For some reason I’m really good at falling over on the flat when I am not even moving.
Our most marvellous hosts; Alice and Kenrobert (and friend) at the Šuoššjavri Fjellstue. Such lovely people. Book your visit now. It is a marvellous place. Sauna, waffles, great food, waffles, great company and did I mention the waffles?
Early(ish) morning sun.
In Per’s kitchen for a very early breakfast at the Mollisjok Fjellstue.
Vegetarians look away now. The dried reindeer heart Per gave us to snack on (98% protein!). Breakfast of champions.
Per later caught up with us. Just to check we were going the right way.
Fighting through the trees near Bastigamen
Bastigamen. It took soooo long to get to I changed it’s name. I’ll let you guess what to.
So, that’s what they look like inside!
A shadow of my former self
Get ready for a cold night. The camp on the way to Skaidi
A touch of frost on the ski tips the following morning
Final shop for the final 4 or 5 days to Nordkapp. That Trond, he knows everyone
Trond and his marvellous friend Gaute, who put us up for the night in Skaidi.
Incidentally, the above photo was only allowed by Trond because I edited out his broken tooth (I did it for you Karin). We can’t have him looking ugly(er) now can we?
Tomorrow we start the final push. Weather permitting we could reach Nordkapp in 4 days. We have planned on 5.
I will blog if I can. I will Instagram when I can.
Thanks to you all for sharing our journey. Hang on in there. Not long to go.
I’m a very tired skier and am off to bed. Alarm set for the usual 5am.
The view of Norway I will remember the most.
