Kristiansund

Full of anticipation this morning.

Dropped down to Geiranger, where the cruse ship was moored in the fjord, off loading it's cargo of tourists via a swarm of bum boats to the shore where they were welcomed by 'authentic' Vikings, before being raped and pillaged by the gift shop they had to walk through to get on to their waiting coaches.

We started climbing up the Eagles path almost immediately and after a number of switch backs we were looking back down on it all. I crept all they way up in second gear, easier, but just took time. Luckily, even though a Sunday, the roads were empty.

Smooth drop to ferry to Linge. Lovely drive through valley and then a steady but relentless climb up to the plateau above the trolls road. Again, I crept up in second gear. Big smell of hot engines hanging around the carpark at the top, but that wasn't just me, it was modern cars as well as some older ones.

Malcolm fell in love with a 1941 Cadillac that was on the road, and in discussion with driver discovered it was for sale. For a while, he only had eyes, and his camera, for her and we were all forgotten. He was smitten.

Trolls road was a drop through many switchbacks, whilst being watched from the viewing platform high above by the coach loads of tourists. No trolls seen, they must be busy bashing through those tunnels even on a Sunday.

Ferry at Arfanes. The way flattened out and it was good to get the car up to normal speed again. Odd to hear a different set of noises reappear.

Headed for the Atlantic coast highway. A string of islets joined by bridges, some of them madly high to, presumably, allow ships to pass underneath. Less spectacular than it seemed on TV, but good to have done anyway. Did a few passes to allow for photos, then in to Kristiansund and the camp site. The last bit was a tunnel under the sea on to the island on witch Kristiansand sits. 6km long and it felt like you were heading for the centre of the Earth. Very steep down for a long time, then a bit of purple light and a climb back up.

Birds singing and butterflies flying around in what is broad daylight at gone midnight. Nature must get confused.

Temperature has definitely dropped.

Midge annoyance index: 5