Alan: Written in the North Sea off Berwick….

Its funny how plans can change. Maybe it is good to be flexible but it certainly adds to the stress and maybe excitement, if that well made plan suddenly changes direction. And so it is with us. Instead of heading east and south towards the alps we are heading North to Norway.

We now have a Lonely planet guide, a map with Norway on 3 pages and a little more detail. Looks like we will dash through Belgium, Holland and Germany to Denmark. Then either cross over to Sweden and up to Oslo or get a ferry from Northern Denmark to Khristansand in South Norway.

Cousin Andrew has put us in touch with a Norwegian biking colleague to help us find some good roads.

So for now I am downloading a different set of maps on to the GPS and then off for tea.

I have to say there is a fair bit of swell building and my memories of seasickness in the Southern Ocean are not to far away and in a cabin with no view… anyway I am sure all will be fine at this end.

However it was nearly a tearful goodbye. I could tell my normally ebullient mum was holding back as she said very little, other than the instruction to look after my dad. Having Cameron and Manda there helped I am sure. Don't worry mum we will be fine.