Day 79 – to Hallen parking, Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjell National Park

Part One

With the weather holding I decided on an investigation of the Grovudalen valley just 10 kilometres away, and a rare rough road, inside the National Park. It was cold, around 4C with frequent snow showers alternating with the sun.

These roads, where they exist, as many National Parks have no vehicular access, are usually Toll Roads. Locals pay 500 Kroner annually, visitors 50 Kroner per visit, about 5 euros. My map sent me on the wrong fork at a junction though. It had been steep and a loose surface, but I got to the point where I needed to reverse and turn around. It had been the wrong fork.

I do have a rear camera, but I am still, after two years almost, not used to using it. Maybe now I will.

I was stuck. I recalled though driving past some farms in the fertile part of the valley before the road climbed. Roja and I walked back in search of rescue. At the first farm I came to there was nobody home.

But at the neighbours, a few hundred metres away, there was a car. It was the family farm of Sivert, who was there, fortunately for me, for the mid-term break with his five grandchildren. He had no hesitation in offering his help. He had, what I had hoped for, looked for, but could not see, a tractor. The children, I guess aged between about 10 and 18, quit their interest in building a hot tub, and focused on Roja, and practising their English with me. I walked the couple of kilometres back to the van, and Sivert followed. He pulled me out in no time. His wife and grandchildren had followed on foot. Could be they couldn’t actually believe the photo I showed them of my poor driving skills and wanted to see for themselves.

He refused to take anything in exchange for his time and help, but when back home, I will send them something by post. We will stay in touch, one day one of his family may be in UK and need something I can help with.