Day 73 - Rain, rain, rain, sunshine and a German gun battery


11th June 2018


I have to admit, I felt pathetically disgruntled this morning.  The forecast was for rain all day.  I was able to pull on dry cycling kit this morning thanks to Jacqui's skilful clothes drying management, however, I knew they would be sopping wet within ten miles.  And so it proved as I grumbled along wearing a fixed scowl and slowly loosing the feeling in fingers and toes.  Fortunately this was the low point, literally and figuratively.  A 400m climb did a good job of warming me up, the descent did a good job of "unwarming" me but by this time I was back in the swing of things and enjoying my soggy self.  Another long climb took me to my coffee stop with Ivan and Jacqui.  From then on, other than a light shower, the ride was dry.

Over the last 12 miles the sun was peeping out, the fjord looked lovely, I had a tail wind and a perfect sweeping road.  I scoffed at my feeble, early morning self!





   

Thanks to the "Park4theNight" app we found a place beside a collection of collapsed German pill boxes to spend the night.  The Tirpitz pocket battleship was moored near here and I presume these were constructed to defend the ship.  This might not sound like the most attractive of places to spend the night but we are away from the road, the surface is nice and flat and these are the views...







It's now raining again!

Comments

  1. Unknown11 June 2018 at 14:11

    Jacqui comes up trumps with a great site yet again. You're bound to get fed up when it's peeing with rain, but at least you're exploring, rather than riding the same set of roads, it must provide a lot of encouragement to get out there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mrs B11 June 2018 at 23:50

      Am afraid I can’t take any credit for the sites Andrew, that is M’s planning. I just get there and set up camp, which involves filling up with water(if available) connecting to electricity ( if avaiable and putting on the kettle( always, anywhere!) J

      Delete
    2. Martin Bradley12 June 2018 at 10:52

      But Jacqui always finds the best pitch! It is good riding unfamiliar roads Andrew. I now have a heat map thread from Tarifa to our present position except for a 50 mile section when my Garmin crashed.

      Delete
  2. Helen Blake11 June 2018 at 14:28

    Nearly there now Martin - can't be much fun cycling when you are v wet. Time for the A-ha songs as you near your destination. A rousing chorus of 'High and Low'would be appropriate !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Martin Bradley12 June 2018 at 11:04

      Helen, let me make something abundantly clear, there will be no A-Ha songs sung on this trip. The options at the moment include a Sound of Music Medley culminating in Climb Every Mountain, One Day More from Les Miserables, or, if this weather doesn't improve, This is the End by the Doors

      Delete
  3. Anonymous12 June 2018 at 04:55

    Well done Martin for pushing through that rain and it must be great having Jacqui's help and encouragement :)

    Regards

    Kevin (SGL)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Martin Bradley12 June 2018 at 10:58

      Thank's Kevin, the whole trip has been a combined effort.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous13 June 2018 at 05:30

    F was very interested in the Tirpitz and the scenery but didn't fancy the rain, in our limited experience that's Norway rain ,rain, rain. Good cycling, B&F

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Martin Bradley13 June 2018 at 07:09

      Thanks B&F, the contrast between the views when it is grey and wet compared with in sunshine is remarkable. We prefer the sunshine!

      Delete

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