Last day in Norway: Saying goodbye and making new memories
The last day in Norway had arrived for Lazuli and me. I had packed everything early. I left the apartment neat and tidy and went in search of breakfast. After all, my inner engine needed fueling too.
A visit to Sjølingstad Uldvarefabrik: History and crafts
The first stop of the day was Sjølingstad Uldvarefabrik. A beautiful factory where local wool is processed into the beautiful wool for clothing, blankets, and much more. The factory was founded in 1894. Sjølingstad Uldvarefabrik grew rapidly in the early years. Housing for the employees and their families was added, as well as a school. In this way, Sjølingstad Uldvarefabrik created its own community.
Reviving an old wool mill: from closure to a living museum
The industrialization eventually overtook the craftsmanship of Sjølingstad Uldvarefabrik, and it closed in 1984. However, it wasn't lost, and in collaboration with the Norwegian government, Sjølingstad Uldvarefabrik reopened its doors in 1986 as a living museum.
To this day, you can enjoy an interesting tour with one of the passionate guides. Sjølingstad Uldvarefabrik also continues to produce wool products. While they no longer produce the volumes of pre-1984 production, they still do so using traditional methods and primarily the original machinery.
Unique wool products and a special process: tension and resilience in wool
One of the special wool products made by Sjølingstad Uldvarefabrik is fabric for traditional Norwegian skirts. What's unique about this is that the wool is woven in such a way that it has tension threads running through it. They then put tension on those threads until the woven wool becomes as hard as a board. Afterward, these fabrics are stored under this tension for a year. Only after a year of laying with that amount of tensions are these threads released, and something amazing happens to the wool. It loosens and springs back like elastic!
The shop offered various beautiful woven products for sale. I also came across a gorgeous blanket. Much as I would have loved to take it home, I didn't have enough room in my bags to safely carry it home. So I had to settle for a small pouch made at the Sjølingstad Uldvarefabrik.
Fort Møvik: An impressive military heritage
The next stop was Fort Møvik. Originally called Batterie Vara, the fort was built between 1941 and 1944 by the Nazi regime as part of the Kristiansand Artillery Group.
The largest land-based Gun in the world: History and power
An impressive gun stands at the fort, originally developed for the Bismarck-class warships. This means the gun at Fort Møvik is the second-largest land-based gun in the world. The largest gun in the world was the Schwerer Gustav. However, this cannon and its sister cannon (Dora) no longer exist. Both cannons were destroyed by the Nazi regime during the final days of World War II. This makes the cannon at Fort Møvik the largest surviving land-based cannon in the world.
Exploring the fortress: a thoughtful blend of ingenious solutions and chilling history
The fortress and its accompanying cannon are very impressive. The photos don't give a clear impression of the cannon's size. It's not just the cannon itself that's impressive. Despite its horrific history, everything in and around the cannon was well-thought-out. Very ingenious solutions were devised and implemented. Exploring the fortress is as fascinating as it is chilling.
Discovering Norwegian food culture: from simple fast food to culinary delights
Finally, it was time to find something to eat. Norway has one drawback when it comes to food if you don't want to cook for yourself. The vast majority of small restaurants serve mainly only hamburgers, pizza, and/or hot dogs. Something I quickly grew tired of and regularly skipped lunch during the week.
But I had received a great tip from a Norwegian for a restaurant in Kristiansand: Håndverkeren Restaurant & Pub. Not cheap, but wow, what a fantastic meal I had there. Lazuli was happy to be parked right outside, and I was truly pampered in the restaurant with the food and drinks. They have a small menu, but absolutely everything on it was perfectly prepared and tasted exquisite.
Farewell to Norway
A delicious meal brought a bittersweet end to my trip through Norway. At 7:00 PM, Lazuli and I checked in at the Fjordline gates, which truly felt like the end for me. At 10:10 PM, I arrived in Hirtshals with Lazuli, where I'd arranged a great place to sleep just over a kilometer from the harbor. The next morning, I got back on Lazuli, my sights set on home.
Reaching the Borders: From the northernmost point of Denmark to the southwest of The Netherlands in one day
The plan was to take it easy and take a day and a half to get back home, but before I knew it, I'd crossed the German/Dutch border and saw signs for Utrecht and Rotterdam. Here, I decided there was no point in looking for a campsite. I rode on, to my husband's surprise, only to find my trusty Lazuli parked in the driveway late that evening. We'd covered 1,067 kilometers in one day. I was actually too tired to put Lazuli inside. Luckily, my husband took over so I could calmly stroll inside and greet my sweet four-legged children.
The power of travel, tranquility, natural beauty, self-reflection, and self-confidence: a fantastic Scandinavian adventure.
I look back on a truly fantastic time in Scandinavia, both with the Ténéré Travel Trophy and during my own trip. The tranquility, the exceptional natural beauty, the helpfulness of the locals, but also the challenges I sometimes encountered along the way. The trip also forced me to reflect on myself. A certain peace came over me, which led me to conclude that I've become much more resilient in recent years than I thought. It brings a sense of confidence. Confidence in the future. No matter how hard work it will be, I can handle it!
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Wat is ditnweer een fantastisch blog .
En schitterende afsluiten van een unieke ervaring.
En dat je een sterk persoon bent wist ik natuurlijk al.
Op naar het volgende avontuur.
Dank je wel! Ik kijk absoluut uit naar het volgend avontuur.