11th August 2023 (sunny and warm, occasional light drizzle in evening)) 53km

After a very nice sleep in a comfy bed, we woke at 6.36am to a fine day.

Lay there and caught up with a few messages before heading downstairs for a cuppa and a brief chat with John who was up and sitting outside.

Next we ate breakfast and as I was cleaning up the dishes, Anne came down and we just got into some general conversation.  That was the theme until we started packing our stuff ready for the off.

We had two choices today.  We could head southwest to Bo, where there is some good hiking and beaches, but is going in a backward direction away from our ultimate destination.  Part of us was thinking we're way ahead of schedule, let's see more.  The other part was thinking, how much longer is this good weather going to last?  Maybe we should just get to Tromso before it packs up completely.

Today which way to go?
We could head south to Bo
We'd already been to Sto
And we're currently in Klo
But now we just don't know
Where we'll wake tomorrow.
(Blame the Norwegians for having rhyming village names so close together).

In the end, we decided to head for Sortland, cross the bridge to rejoin the mainland, and head up the coast until we can cross over again onto Andoya and head north to Andenes. We know we have some extra time up our sleeve but we also want to see Andoya and Senja in good weather.

Firstly, we had to bid farewell to our very charming hosts, whom it was nice to meet and spend an evening with.  The food was delicious and we slept really well.
Thank you so much Anne and John.

A few photos later we were riding down their driveway on our way back to Myre to the Co-op supermarket to get lunch.
That didn't take long and then I asked a lady if there was a bank in town, which there wasn't, but there was a minibank
( in the wall ) so we could carry on.

Pete is a great admirer of anybody who has their ducks in a row.

Out of town having decided to head for Sortland, 53kms away.
Here, there is a bridge back onto the mainland. That seems ages ago since we were last there
There was also a camp and plenty of supermarkets to choose from.
We were once again on a minor road and the riding was relaxed, enjoyable and very scenic.
All was good with the world.
Stopped in Alsvag in a band rotunda for a bite to eat at 10.50am.
This was a very small community, but you do wonder how they earn a crust.
There were businesses there, but they had been closed down.

The weather was perfect for cycling and even though we were clicking away with the camera, we were making good time.
In Froskeland, we stopped whilst Ju asked a couple working in their garden, for water.
Then we were on the main road to Sortland and even though the riding was fast, it wasn't fast enough to get away from the constant stream of cars and the odd bloody idiot. We were very glad to come across a bike track at the side of the road about 8km out from Sortland.

First stop was the Esso garage for an ice-cream,  a wifi catch up and toilet stop.  Then it was off to the supermarket to stock up.  There were two loaded bikes outside with a girl looking after them.
She was dressed very " Uncycle tourer like"
but they were gone when we'd finished, so we couldn't ask them any questions.

The camp was.....you guessed it, up the only hill in the town
" I don't believe it".
Checked in to what was a very average quality site, but an expensive price.
Limited spaces of a decent pitch, but we got a good one, only rock hard.
Said hello to a French couple and their two year old who are cycling.
We would later be introduced to Emilie, David and baby Rachael, who was adorable.
Spent time whilst we were all cooking, talking.
Emilie had spent a month in New Zealand in 2016 and loved it.
I gave them our email and we'll follow their progress as this is their first tour and they are out for 10 months.  Already done three and loving it.
Emilie looked shattered and was telling us how hard it is because Rachael can sleep in the trailer throughout the day and the movement makes it very easy.
However, she can be up during the night because of the light and with all that sleep, she's now wired.
I know they are looking at heading to Greece and I wish them well and safe travels.
Gave them our email address in case they get to NZ in the future.
Then we settled in the tent with a coffee.
Julia wrote a list and planned our route and I finished the blog.