Long day on the road today -68km, reasonably flat to undulating mostly along wetlands skirting the fjords.

While the terrain wasn’t challenging the elements were. Light rain and high winds all the way – maximum temperature a freezing 5 degrees. However, looking like Mitchellin Men with three layers of merino, a puffer jacket AND our wind/waterproof pants/jackets gloves and scarves, we managed to ride at speed and stay warm. We knew we must look a sight when tourists in camper vans stopped to take our photo. One of the locals told us later that most Norwegians touring on bikes in the summer do so in the night as the weather is warmer…… good to know….

A couple of gems today – a beautiful little gallery run by a local artist (painter and jeweller). Wonderful mixed methods paintings (oil, crayon & ink) and charcoal drawings. Came away armed with postcards of his work, his web address and a beautiful new pair of silver earrings.

The other find (life saver) was a cosy cafe serving fresh Norwegian waffles with cloudberries and whipped cream. Cloudberries are an orange/brown berry, much like raspberries in shape and texture but very different taste – colour not all that appealing but tasted magic with the cream. Gave us the shelter and sustenance we needed to brave the cold again.

In the cafe we met a young Swiss family who had just been on the car ferry we travelled on 2 days ago- the ferry had o turn back as rough seas (6m swells) had thrown the cars around in the hold- very glad that we and our green machine were spared that one.

Arrived at our hotel late afternoon very excited to find that not only did we have our own bathroom but it also had a bath in it!!! Blue cheese sandwiches, Gatoraid, hot coffee and a steaming hot bath – smiling on the inside and out!