Day 12. Sønge to Lillesand.
Distance 70km. Average 15.5km/h.
The campsite was a couple of kilometres out of town and on arriving we selected a spot with views to put up our tent. We put it up whilst a large family of Norwegians watched on chuckling and being generally friendly. After a quick trip to the showers we headed back into town. We took a small diversion to look at the church. As with many villages in the Netherlands the church seemed just a little too large for the community it appeared to serve. Perhaps a sign of just how powerful the church is (or was in the past) or how important their Christian faith is to many Norwegians.
We headed out to find some food. I stayed with the bikes whilst Damae did a tour of the restaurants and bars in the harbour to see if any of them could do a veggie meal. It turned out that the only option was a French style brasserie aptly named "Brasseriet PO" on Strandgaten 12, who said they could do us a starter and main course. Hobson's choice thus.
We chose a prime spot next to the water to eat, I looked out towards the church and Damae the other way with a view of a lighthouse. Service was great and the food was very good indeed, both the starter and main course. Main course was a platter of lightly steamed vegetables a stuffed pepper and a couple of sauces. The desserts were also excellent, the creme brulee is to be recommended and I had a beer (strictly for medicinal purposes and to provide additional economic support to the 'local' Rignes brewery). In view of what lay ahead of us the following day the meal was probably vital.
It seemed to be quite expensive compared to the restaurants we go to in Utrecht. However the food was so good, the vegetables so fresh that I think we were at a better class of restaurant than we were accustomed to. I would eat there again.
As we waited for dessert and coffee to arrive the sun started setting. I realised that we were for the first time in the trip facing east. Despite that the sky lit up in wonderful way a lovely end to a lovely evening. After paying we headed back to the campsite and the tent.