Slowing Down

Now we are in very calm waters. After storm Hans, which raged for a long time, with its consequences both in Norway itself and at sea, had made the start of the week stormy. In the meantime, I have taken the time to explore Hirtshals more intensively.

On Wednesday afternoon, the time had finally come to prepare Hildegard for the trip with Fjordline. The start was very unusual. She sounded like a Harley ;)

At first, I thought, well, caught a cold in the storm? What I then discovered left me speechless for a moment: the exhaust was gone! Disassembled!

Egon's grandson?

Someone must have been in need and found a cheap spare part here. Man, now I was standing there. Together with the hotel owner, on whose parking lot all this happened, I went through my options. The check-in for the ferry was more important to me than a dubious action by the local police, which would only result in a report against unknown persons. There is not much to do in terms of motorcycle repair in Hirtshals. So I used my ferry ticket.

I drove into the belly of the ship with a loud buzzing Hildegard and rolled into the next hotel in Bergen. She doesn't pull as well without the exhaust.

During the crossing, I contacted motorcycle workshops in Bergen. In Norway, as I had already noticed in Iceland, spare parts are rarely in stock. A matter of money, I suppose, especially given the variety of motorcycle models. Now I am waiting with the local Honda workshop for the delivery of the spare parts. It feels as if there is a certain inflexibility, maybe it's just my perception that is playing a trick on me.

During the crossing, I got talking to a couple from the UK. They are well connected to the TET Biker Community and have reported Hildegard's bad luck there. From that corner, helpful tips are now coming in terms of contacts and spare part search. So I don't feel alone and that's very nice.

I am curious to see how and when things will continue and will report. Until the motorcycle is complete again, I will stay in Bergen.