Day 82 – to Bøverkinnhalsen Pass, Jotunheimer National Park

What has become a routine start to the day, breakfast, coffee, an hour’s reading, on a cold and clear morning gave way to an outing into the surrounding hills with Roja. Without any planning I was about to leave at the same time as Ian and Sally, the English couple in the van nextdoor. Rather than stand and chat in freezing temperatures we quickly agreed we would walk together. I didn’t have any particular plan, so Ian led us off onto what soon became some high tracks with excellent views of the mountains inside the National Park.

It is quite a rare thing for me to walk with anyone else, so most enjoyable as a change. My plan had been to be out for only an hour or so, but that is often the case. In the end we were out for three hours, back for a coffee, and farewells at almost 3 pm. They intended to stay for another night, and then would head in the direction I was going, towards the Jotunheimer National Park, and route 55, across high mountain passes.

I filled up with fuel in Otta, which at 140 euros (for just over 60 litres) is about the most expensive tank of the trip. Norway, like UK, has chosen not to lower duty on fuel, but the price can vary greatly, at the same garage, in the same day even.

90 minutes of driving and the weather was deteriorating as I headed south west. I’m up at 1100 meters tonight, and it’s a few degrees below zero, with snow showers. Some people’s favourite overnight van stops are at beaches, others with access to a town, several by the sea, a few in forests, but for me, mountain passes are the ultimate. The higher the better.

It’s Friday night rugby night of course, and Sale are on, so I’ll sit back with a Riggwelter and hope for some decent action.