Looking out of the airplane window, it felt like the gods have thrown a stone into water and Norway has received the biggest ripples. Honningsvag airport lies alone amongst the grey mountains and grey sky. It was bleak.. and there was no turning back. The first test was to re assemble my bike… so neatly packed in my brothers garden drinking beer. Now a different story.
The first night in a hostel the kitchen of which was like an international stereotype of master chef – the Frenchman eating steak tartare, a Chinese couple eating a salmon-y broth and an Austrian student let the side down with done thing that resembled dog food.
To get to nordkapp there is only one road, which is shares with a cavalcade of buses from cruise ships and troops of motor homes. The moody Austrian, and a German policeman on a Vespa arrived together and ended camping in the car park and settled in for the night with an obligatory midnight sun photo.
Now I’m a week in each day there are real challenges but there are also milestones – getting here in the first place and putting my bike together; riding through a 7km tunnel with a road like an upside down mountain; the sight of an orca whale and wild camping on my own to name a few.
With 5000 miles or so to go the journey ahead still seems daunting and in the past week there have been huge doubts as to whether I can really do this. It is at these moments when I meet someone along the road or I am rewarded with a spectacular view and I remind myself (to use a cliche phrase) it is about the journey and not the destination. So I am taking each day as it comes.
Go Philippa. Beautiful photographs. How was the wild camping? We think about you a lot. Huge hug from all at Cox’s Mill. Xx
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Sounds awesome. Enjoy the journey, the views and all whom you meet. X
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Enjoy the journey Phil – I’m sure that the bike ride will only be a part of it. :Looking forward to seeing more blog entries and pics
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Love reading these – go get them and I can’t wait to read all about the adventures as they unfold over the next few thousand miles! xx
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Stunning scenery, I have just looked at it on a map … SO remote! I hope the sun is shining all the way Big hugs, Mini Xx
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Good luck on your journey Coxy so far so good. I look forward to reading the posts to come.
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Hi Philippa, Laurence isn’t a “moody Austrian”, cheek remember, … but nice journey anyway !
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Hi Laurence – I know! I think I was pretty moody too! You should think about coming back out, with less stuff!! x
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of course you can do it! although as you say, much more important that you enjoy whatever it is you are doing. thinking of you, missing you in bristol. you are amazing for even having the thought of doing this… big kiss dreamcatacher xx
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We are all missing you in the office! Your photos are incredible and you saw an orca!! Your very inspiring – I hope I take on a challenge like this one day! Hope the sun is shining and all is peaceful xxxxxx
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Every time I’ve come across moments where I’ve thought “shit, I don’t know if I can do this”, I’ve been taught that I can, and all those cumulative experiences eventually bring me to a place of feeling like I can do anything. In a word, “Freeeeeeeeeeeeeedddddddddddddddoooooooooooommm”…keep pedalling Coxy, and you’ll wake up one morning with a blue and white face, and the ability to shoot fire from your eyes and THUNDERBOLTS FROM YER ARSE! 🙂
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