From Lillesand to Grimstad

Saturday, August 1, 2020

Today marks exactly two months since I started my bike journey. I have experienced many adventures. If someone were to ask me if my decision was right, I can only say: Yes, yes, yes.... I am so grateful and happy.... I want to explore the whole world😎😊🙏

Today, there are only nine kilometers left to my destination. I am constantly fascinated by the landscape. The bike path mostly follows the water, the sun is shining, it couldn't be better. 

I turn into Arnevigveien, I only have about a kilometer left until the farm. After wandering around a bit, I finally find the right property. 

I am standing in front of the main house. I dial the number of my host and I am already quite excited about our first meeting. After a while, she arrives on a bike and greets me warmly. Her English is easy to understand. We ride together to her house, where the rest of the family is staying. The farm owners have twins, girls aged five, and a son aged seven. The entire property is about 800 to 900 hectares. From what I can see, there are three accesses to the fjord. 

There is a bit of hustle and bustle as they prepare the big house for guests who are expected to arrive soon. I try to help. There is plenty of work here. 

A herd of 12 cows roams around the grounds. When I remove a shrub from the pasture, four black cattle are standing in a row behind me, not further than a meter away. 'Nice to meet you😂' They are all very peaceful😊

The garden here is filled with fruit trees. There are plums, cherries, black currants, yellow raspberries, strawberries, and many other fruits that I haven't discovered yet. I am allowed to pick and enjoy all the fruits from the trees/bushes as much as I want... This is what I call a paradise 😋😎🙏

We take a little boat trip to a small island and go swimming. The water is clear and cold, I quickly get used to it. 

In the evening, I am taken to an island by boat. There is a small cottage there. That will be my accommodation for the first few days. Here is pure nature... I am happy to be able to enjoy this peaceful tranquility. To have some flexibility, I am provided with a canoe. With this, if I want to, I can paddle back to the farm. I enjoy the evening alone on my island and I am so grateful for everything that I get to experience here🙏😎😊