Islands, Midges and Fjords Galore
Trip Start
Jul 01, 1988
1
Trip End
Jul 01, 1988
Alesund, Norway
Thursday, August 11, 1988
After a very relaxing two day ferry ride from Newcastle in the United Kingdom, and a brief stop in Bergen we docked. It wasn't long before we got our canoes and rowed off into the midge-strewn sunset to make our camp on an Island in the Atlantic for the next ten days. We were sharing the adventure with a group of girls from the local town who also were part of the Guiding Association. The only difference being that they knew how to use machete's, gut fish and make a shelter from scratch! Rather different from the canvas-based camping of the UK Guide.
Although I was only twelve, I can remember so many details of this trip. It was one of the best times of my life and taught me that anything is possible. That to communicate all you need is a common goal, a knowledge of songs from 'Grease' and an easy smile. The days were packed full of learning new skills and I can remember feeling so full of hope and excitement that I didn't want it to end.
After we had erected a beautiful camp and explored every inch of the island we went back to the town and stayed with the girls' families. They made us feel so at home and gave me a troll doll which has been staring at me from my shelf ever since.
Norway is certainly a beautiful country, and a place i long to return to and explore in more detail now that I am an adult.
