Should we stay or should we go🤔

 The forecast wasn't good for Oje, and infact isn't good for the next few days, but we woke to a reasonable morning. We got up and had breakfast, and tidied the van which was a bit of a mess after last night's fishing.

I have been looking at the map constantly wondering how far up is sensible to go. We have friends in Bodo who we would love to visit...but it a loooong way north. We can make it there but I think it means the second half of the holiday would be purely driving....and we are not here for a driving holiday, we want to stop and explore places. Also, a driving holiday is not fair on the boys, they are young and want to be out and about...well...actually we want them to be out and about. 

So, myself and Joyce had a chat about what to do and came to the conclusion that Bodo is simply too far north for this trip. We decided the sensible thing to do was to head north west over into Norway about the level of Trondheim, that would allow us plenty time to meander south stopping at places we had liked the last time and also at new places. Cool...a plan was made.....until.

...I went into the campsite facilities and came across a brochure about cycling routes in the local area. We had brought the bikes and as yet they have not been used.

There were 3 routes from Oje...a short easy route 15km, middle of the road route 32km and a much longer route of 55km with single track and steep climbs. We chose the middle of the road route....we were not moving the van today. Joyce didn't fancy it as she's not been feeling on top form lately, and biking is also not her favourite pastime. I uloaded the bikes and we got sorted and found the start of the route. It basically followed the big river called Ogstrommen up a big valley, we would go up one side and back down the other. By now the sun was coming out and it was warm....don't always believe the forecast!!

The cycling was easy, wide smooth fire roads through gorgeous forest and lichen covered ground, with occasional glimpses of the river. Every now and then we would happen upon little hamlets in the forest, lovely little houses, mostly small but well kept. We met a lady from Holland who had bought a little house cheaply a lot of years ago and visits every summer and winter, her husband had spent years working on the place transforming it into something habitable. She also said she loved tbe winter time, cold, quiet and pristine...they still bet a proper winter up here. 

We carried on, the area has a big feel to it and it feels more commiting than cycling back home where you know how to get help, and are never far from it. At the half way point we crossed the river away up the valley and started back down the other side, the big climb mentioned in the brochure was nothing and soon we were whooping out way back down towards Oje. Always on the lookout....for the elusive Moose.....again....no moose's were seen unfortunately.

Back in Oje we went for a wee explore, checked out the other campsite in the village. It's nice also but was catching the full force of the wind across the lake....our side was better today. We came across a gallery and we were curious, a very friendly lady came out and asked if we wanted to see inside and her husbands work. We could hardly say no as we were already half way down her garden. She and her husband came from Germany, from a town called Mulheim, not far from where Ina and Bjorn live. They were very welcoming, not because they wanted us to buy something, but because the were interested to meet us, find out a little bit about us amd why were here and also tell their story of why they were here. In their gallery apart from the really nice water colours and oil painting they had a place where we could sit and relax. The lady gave us some lovely cake (I am beginning to really like German baking and cooking) and a coffee, juice for the boys. We all chatted for a while, it was a shame Joyce wasn't here. We were given some ideas of other places to visit in the local area which is really useful. Interestingly the lady's family had visited Scotland a few times and went to Benderloch on the west coast just north of Oban...its an area we know very well. They liked it too and their family name is Bender....so it was special to them and they had happy memories of family holiday there. The couple also reiterated about their love of the winter here in Sweden, saying basically the same as the lady from Holland about the cold, "crisp, proper" winter that happens here, sounds amazing to me!! Winter is my favourite time of the year. 

Tomorrow we may revisit the gallery.

There was a big thunderstorm while we were in the gallery, so we just chatted and waited for it to pass, then we headed back to the campsite on the bikes. Joyce, had a relaxed day and also had dinner well under way, so I reloaded the bikes on the van...not easy...and we had our meal...a beer and wine....it was nice to relax and not have moved today. The boys wanted to fish again,  it the rain was on and off....and when it was on it was definitely on...so a game of domino's was a better option. Beer, whisky and blog, and now sleep. Who knows where we will end up tomorrow.