Steinkjer and Mo I Rana

Last two days have been long days for me and we've covered a lot of miles. I think over 400.

Scenery less majestic, but still very beautiful. More rolling wide and far vistas of hills, fjords  and wide rivers as opposed to the sheer and stark mountains we'd become accustomed to.

This part of the country also seems more populated due to farming and forestry. A lot of the towns have the feel of Alpine towns after the snow has gone.  We keep seeing people `skiing' along cycle paths on skis with little wheels on.

Had to pass by Trondheim yesterday. A busy city with heavy traffic which was a shock to the system. Got to drive right in on our return journey. Stayed last night at a campsite near Steinkjer. Temperature has dropped noticeably, and weather has become showery, almost like going back a season to early spring.

Someone possibly madder than us at campsite - tractor from Salzburg to Nordkap. 18kph Max. Speed he told us. And he's towing a caravan.

This morning John had to give me the first top up of oil of the trip  - that's 1200 miles, and I've been busy marking my territory everywhere too. Not sure I really needed it, but the level had dropped below the H mark.

Had the road mostly to ourselves again today. Occasionally passed by groups of motorcyclists. Good roads of long sweeping bends for them.

Mostly dry, but lots of showers. Passed in to north Norway at lunchtime. A final climb up and over a mountain pass because of a closed tunnel. Through the cloud, and then dropped to a surprisingly sunny Mo I Rana.