Thursday 29th July Mileage 2188 Loen near Stryn

Woke up at about 7:30 sporadic rain all night, but sun coming up over the eastern valley wall and rushing down the side of the waterfall, very beautiful.see photo in yesterday's post.  Made a cup of tea and tourists were arriving even at this time, I wonder what time they leave there hotels ?  ( Later found out that most are on Fjord cruises and the boats travel through the night and disgourge tyhe people first thing in the morning on arranged buses)  Set off with the view of getting up to see the glacier at Stryn.  Arrived at ferry terminal to go to Kaupanger and told the next ferry ( long crossing) would be 2 hours, so decided to take the road journey.  This takes you through 3 very long tunnels, 1) 7Km, 2) 11 Km, and the third 25Km, this is apparently the longest car tunnel in the world !!??   Inside the long tunnel they had sections that were lit up with beautiful blue lights (see above)    No incidents today just great riding and magnificent views.

Cheesburger at fery terminal  Great tyhen on up to Hella and Stryn.  Met two Norwegian cyclists doing the old route up the western fjords, everthing like me but on there pushbikes, looked like hard work  !!

Arrived at Loen and turned right onto small track for 16 km up to the glacier.   The water in the fjord was deep blue, looked contaminated with copper if you ask me.  But then when I arrived at the glacier it was blue as well, and I cannot think how copper contamination would be in the ice up on top of the mountain??  Have not found out yet what causes the blue water.  There was run off wwatwer high up going into the ice, but I could not see or work out where it was coming out back into the stream.   Stopped at campsite near Loen, couple adjacent on one side have two children, one japanese origin, one african, and they both look Norwegian, so am assuming thay are adopted.  Meal over another pasta concoction, I will have to think of something else soon!!   Couple on the other side called Bert and Agatha from Holland asked if I would like to join them for a glass of wine?  Is the Pope catholic??  So ended up drinking a whole bottle with them discussing Norway and routes etc.  Didn't ask what bert didi for a living, but Agatha said she was the manager of a rehabilitation centre.  Again didn't ask whether drug or criminal!   Bert was keen topoint out to me all the best places to go especially the Geranger Fjord and the Trollsten pass/road.   Last night they had packed up a huge canvas style tent because it was dry and then erected a small two man nylon tent that can be put away in the morning while wet.

TOR