6th June 2023 (sunny and hot) 53km

Woke at 2am because we were both too hot but had slept soundly from 9.30pm when we went to bed.  Took the duvet out of the cover and got another couple of hours, waking at 4am, surprised to see how light it was, but not surprised our bodies had chosen this time to wake as this was the time the all you can eat breakfast started.  Pete was up for the challenge but I made him restrain himself until a more civilised hour and made him a cup of tea to tide him over. 

It felt so good to lie down and elevate those legs last night and that along with the bike ride yesterday has seen our feet return to their usual size.

More Fiona than Shrek now

Pete here: After nearly falling asleep in the hotels crowded restaurant last night, surrounded by a couple of tables of French speaking/laughing folk, my head hit the pillow around 9pm and I had one of the best sleeps I've had for years.

Like Julia, I had swollen feet and ankles, but the ride in the afternoon yesterday through the lovely surrounding countryside, had definitely helped diminish the size. Hence, as I lay in bed, with my feet up on the headboard, stretching, you could practically feel the puffiness disappearing.

We looked over some shots from Georgina, who is hiking the Southern Coastal Path in Cornwall and Brody, still in Newquay, out for a late run and thought how amazing it is to be able to spread yourselves around the globe nowadays. The airline travel may indeed hammer your body for a short while, but it allows you to access all these new places and experiences and immerse yourself in new cultures.

One thing we discovered yesterday, when putting the bikes back together, was that I was missing an axle spring from my front wheel (some would say that's not all you're missing Pete!) Although it can still operate, I'll have to source a new one over the coming days.

Once we'd set the bikes up yesterday, it was great to enjoy the sun once again, and amazing to think that in the space of such a short time, we are twelve thousand miles away.  As I lay here on the bed, it's now 6am. Julia is showering and we have the windows open, listening to the first flights leaving Oslo Airport, just over the fence.  The airport is much larger than I expected, but one of the main cities for entry to Scandanavia of course.

With a relaxed check out time of 11am, we strolled down to the breakfast buffet, to begin the feast of the day. It may not be the full English, but they will have to have plenty of whatever it is. Hopefully not dried fish.

Currently 8.30am. Julia and I are sitting quietly in the breakfast buffet area. We have been here since 7am, eating, talking, writing, eating, planning today's route, eating, drinking coffee, talking some more, though that leaves less time for eating and coffee drinking. I can't imagine the amount of calories I have consumed so far, but I just had a text from Ian Ternouth, who wants me to pop in for a check on my arteries a.s.a.p. We have currently been here for a least four sittings and even those at the last sitting are wondering if we have our tent set up in the kitchens.

I will be adjusting the tyre pressure on my bike, if I can turn the pedals upon departure. I have a ranking  system for breakfasts in countless hotels we have visited over the years and I am pleased to say, that Norway, aside from ranking the happiest country in the world, now have my current number one ranking for first meal of the day. Our hotel, Park Inn by Radisson should be honored with this award as it rates up there with the Oscar's, the Grammys and for food, the Michelin guide. Well done Park Inn. Your bacon was light, yet crispy, your eggs light and fluffy, your coffee, light, hot and flavorsome, but my belly, heavy, overloaded yet deeply satisfied.

Round 3 for Pete and my first delicious latte!

Round 4 for Pete and another delicious latte for me!

Aside from being a beautiful morning, the day has dawned with the realization that this is it now. No turning back and once again, it it just the two of us, on our trusty steeds, winding our way through parts unknown,  with only ourselves to consider and the prospect of some outstanding scenery to capture on film.

So time to finally pack up, put our cardboard boxes outside by the recycling and hit the road.

First port of call was to be the nearby town of Jessheim as we needed to find a bank.  The ATMs that we found at the airport didn't seem to accept our debit mastercard. Had a lovely flat ride along cycle path which ran alongside one of the lesser roads and we both commented what a perfect temperature it was for cycling.  Sunny with a little coolness to the air but perfect with just t-shirt and shorts on.

On the edge of town we called into a bike mechanic to get a spring for Pete's bike, but he was out for half an hour so decided to carry on as Pete's bike was running smoothly.  Then we found a bank and went in to use the ATM and the debit card worked easily and we walked out with 3000 NOK, about 500 NZD.

A norwegian sim card was next and after waiting ten mins at a Telia store, he sent me to a little mini market where I was sold a new sim card and basic plan for 400 kroner, about 63Nzd, but after submitting the necessary info, we would have to wait for the phone company to text us and we were to send a code back.  Pete waited outside in a sun that was becoming more intense by the hour.  I rejoined him after half an hour, now sensibly sitting in the shade.

For the next few hours we had lovely riding with the majority being smooth cycle path alongside a main road, heading into Oslo.  It was a glorious day with beautiful scenery and the first twenty kms were flat.  What a perfect way to start our three month tour.  Gradually the terrain turned to  undulating to hilly as we entered the outskirts of Oslo.  The traffic in Oslo was manic, with long lines of slow moving vehicles. Great to be whizzing on by on the cycle path. One thing that is very noticable in this part of Norway is the amount of people exercising. Loads of cyclists, cross country skiers (on road) and runners.  The final climb to our air bnb was the steepest of all, carrying on the old cycling truth, that if you want a place to lay your head...ya gotta earn it.

A cute old house in a beautiful part of the countryside.

Typical of the first 20 km riding. Great surface, great weather.

A touch of Liverpool in the Norwegian countryside.

Just a lovely looking home in a lovely setting.

View of Oslo from the suburbs.

We eventually arrived at the air bnb at 6.30pm.  Although it was a hilly ride up there, it was through a really quaint part of northern Oslo and the scent of all the spring flowers, the lilac (I think) in particular, was filling the air.  At the air bnb we had a tiny room in a weirdly designed house. The guy Jon, was just headed out for a run and the mate who was with him headed off too, unfortunately before giving us the wifi code as our new Sim still wasn't working. 

Julia inhales deeply on the lilac fumes.

After showering off the sweat (because by now it was very hot and must have reached at least the forecast 23C) we walked to look for something to eat. Got some gluten free bread (average) brie, tomatoes, yogurt and some cereal for tomorrow. Wandered back and sat outside. Sun was still hot and high in the sky at 9pm. Walked across the cemetery out the back to a church (first of the trip) overlooking Oslo. Great view over a very expansive city set on the fjord. By the time we got back it was after 10pm and Jon turns up. Julia managed to get the wifi code off him, so we had internet access and he disappears again. Unfortunately by this time we were too knackered to write the blog so ended up in bed shortly after to end the first day on the road.