Pause in Ålesund, Sunday, 7th August

Next date on the calender is Tuesday 9th, the day John Magnus returns from his sojourn in the great US of A, to Gardemoen, and I intend to be part of the welcoming gang. Only way of getting there and back is to start from somewhere with a transport ‘hub’, and Ålesund is an excellent one. 

Josin is comfortably tied up in Ålesund Seil Foreningen’s extensive harbour in Nørvevika, in a borrowed bay, offered for a few days by Fredrik Hessen, harbour master in Nørvevika, whom I met at Molde Seil Forening’s island home at Hjertøya a few days ago. Very kind. Very lucky for me. 

As progress was fairly rapid recently, some sailing but mostly motor, there are a few days to wait. First job when settled was to donn full wetgear and sink to the propeller, which had been vibrating. Two anonymous plastic bags and some thin rope. Probably picked up when I navigated close to the shore to make space for a woosh-ferry catamaran in a narrow sound. Didn’t see it, as the cat was rather more important! Prop and hull look remarkably clean, maybe due to the cold water temperature this season. 

The other, unkind, boat gremlin had decided that I didn’t need my water thermometer some days ago, and as there is, according to uncle google, a Clas Ohlson emporium, (has everything, and you go in to buy one or two things and come out with many), a few km inland at the Moa shopping center. Short walk, uphill, puff, to the bus stop. Short wait. Very welcoming bus driver. 15 minutes ride. Alarmingly large shopping center, in three departments, and no info screens. One narrow brochure with tiny, microscopically unreadable-text map, listing all the shops, with telephone numbers and nothing else. The smiling lady in the first stall inside the main door must get very tired of strangers asking where. 

Thermometer, and several other things in the back pack, later, I met my good friend Viel Dalegård who drove us up to Aksla, local mountain viewpoint and tourist attraction. On earlier occasions, I have climbed the several hundred steps up from the town, but a strong feeling of ‘been there, done that’ happily anaethetised the conscience. The restaurant produced an excellent fish soup lunch which was enjoyed, as well as the view and the company. The view really is fantastic, almost full circle, from the inner fjord, past mainland mountains, right round past the main harbour and town, to the outer islands and ocean. Must do, if you are here. Weatherwise, visibilty was excellent too. Tick good. 

Tuesday I travel a couple of hours alongside the fjords, by bus to Åndalsnes, there catch the scenic train to Dombås, then the main north-south express direct to the airport. Easy. First-time sightseeing. Sit on the shady side hopefully. Weather forecast grey, so it probably will not matter. Return by plane in the late evening. Long day. Have purchased eye-shade and earplugs. 

Today, being sunday, is for relaxation, isn’t it?  Weather not ecouraging. OK. New book. The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins. Tomorrow I get busy, promise. Josin needs attention, domestic style. 

All’s well