Day 17. Husøy to Fredrikstad via Tønsberg.
The landscape changed from coastal to forest. At one point we had a nice section through a forest spoilt only slightly by logs placed across the cycle route. Initially we turned right thinking the path went right but it petered out within about 20m. So back over the logs and onwards.
Along this section we passed sheep wearing cowbells and a bit further up a golf course and a lovely little lake with a tiny tree covered inhabited island. No photos but the pictures are etched into my memory!
Between Evje and Tomb we travelled on country lanes and on unmetalled roads, with a great variation of type of surface. On a number of occasions we had to double back and try and find a turning. We also had to try and guess a couple of times which way we should be going on the basis of looking for signs for the route in the opposite direction.
It seems that this is a common problem as we came across a home made sign to help people doing the route in the right order. It was the first NSCR sign that we had seen in 5-10km of rural tracks. I fell off my bike here due to deep freshly laid gravel, and once stopped took a picture of a dilapidated outhouse.
It was a bit of a shame that we'd had so many problems with the route as the countryside was actually very lovely. The sun was once again too warm for comfort and stayed like that the most of the rest of the day. It was also noticeable how the landscape had changed from the first part of the route, much more farmland and villages and hamlets dotted around the countryside.
We arrived in Fredrikstad late first stopping to pick up groceries at a KIWI. Here we found our first dedicated cycle parking spaces. Then on to the campsite via the short ferry to the old town. It was a trip we were to make on a number of occasions in the following days. Moored next to the ferry was the boat we would take a couple of days later to Strömstad.
The campsite itself was rather empty, did not feel terribly welcoming and the weather by now was overcast. However the showers were excellent and all we wanted was to shower eat and sleep. Which we did to our satisfaction.