So I've continued on my epic journey... and I'm now in Helsinki in Finland, the land of my hardy forefathers. I'm totally feeling in touch with my roots and I've been on some pretty awesome walks, up hills, which have made me realise how tough life must have been for my ancestors. I left my tent at the hotel, but I was still carrying all the rest of my stuff - including a sleeping bag, 9 t-shirts, 6 pairs of jeans and 5 pairs of shoes. I walked all day Sunday, and didn't get a taxi back to Helsinki until 5pm. I was so exhausted I just collapsed into my bed and slept until lunchtime Monday! But it's been such an amazing experience, being out in the wild and living how my ancestors lived.
I haven't tried camping again since Rachel and Itaz left, partly because I don't really know what I would cook, and partly because there are a lot of weird animal noises at night and it's just safer when there's three of you. I definitely miss Rachel's cooking, but I've been mostly eating out in Helsinki; and they've also got the best smoothie bars here EVER! So good. But I've run out of the euros I brought with me, and they don't seem to accept Diner's Club or American Express anywhere here, so I spent the last of my euros, four hours ago, on a frappuccino and a cinnamon twirl... I'm so hungry now! But I've only got two days to go.
I haven't got any euros to get a taxi into the wilderness, but Central Park in Helsinki is really huge, so I'm going to get my hiking boots on, take my backpack and go for a hike around the park.
I've had such an awesome experience here, and I hope you guys have had fun reading about it.
Andy, Craig - keep the comments coming in! But seriously, you guys should try hiking with a 30 pound rucksack in the pouring rain when you've got a cold, and see how you handle it!
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Friday, 8 August 2008
Extreme Camping
We went for our first night of camping on Tuesday night in the end, and it was pretty extreme!
We pitched our tent on a bit of a slope, so all night I kept rolling into Itaz by mistake. I think he was pretty pissed off by the end of it. Our stuff is all totally soaked now as well, because someone forgot to bring the flysheet (Itaz!)
But it's been great fun. In the morning, we couldn't get the stove lit, so we drove into town to get some breakfast at a cafe. It was the most satisfying breakfast ever!
The weather's been really extreme for the time we've been out here - we were trying to put our tent up in 20mph winds last night, and the temperature dropped down to 8degC. We were seriously freezing. We've done really well though - we went on a three mile hike yesterday and brought a picnic and some beers, but it was raining so the picnic got a bit wet. The beers cheered us up though.
To be honest, the camping is much harder than I thought, and I don't think we came well enough prepared. I've got a really bad case of the sniffles and all my clothes are damp from rainwater. Tonight Itaz and I are going back to the hotel, and Rachel's going to camp out.
Still having a great time,
Tom K
We pitched our tent on a bit of a slope, so all night I kept rolling into Itaz by mistake. I think he was pretty pissed off by the end of it. Our stuff is all totally soaked now as well, because someone forgot to bring the flysheet (Itaz!)
But it's been great fun. In the morning, we couldn't get the stove lit, so we drove into town to get some breakfast at a cafe. It was the most satisfying breakfast ever!
The weather's been really extreme for the time we've been out here - we were trying to put our tent up in 20mph winds last night, and the temperature dropped down to 8degC. We were seriously freezing. We've done really well though - we went on a three mile hike yesterday and brought a picnic and some beers, but it was raining so the picnic got a bit wet. The beers cheered us up though.
To be honest, the camping is much harder than I thought, and I don't think we came well enough prepared. I've got a really bad case of the sniffles and all my clothes are damp from rainwater. Tonight Itaz and I are going back to the hotel, and Rachel's going to camp out.
Still having a great time,
Tom K
Monday, 4 August 2008
Just arrived in Norway
We touched down in Norway on Saturday evening and it's been awesome here!
We decided to spend the first couple of nights in a hotel, just until we're settled, and then we'll start camping properly from tonight onwards. Really looking forward to it! I forgot a sleeping mat, so I'll have to buy one in town today, but other than that I think we've got everything. The weather's looking great as well, but there's storms forecast for midweek.
I'll be in touch,
Tom K
We decided to spend the first couple of nights in a hotel, just until we're settled, and then we'll start camping properly from tonight onwards. Really looking forward to it! I forgot a sleeping mat, so I'll have to buy one in town today, but other than that I think we've got everything. The weather's looking great as well, but there's storms forecast for midweek.
I'll be in touch,
Tom K
Friday, 1 August 2008
Final Preparations...
Hi everyone, this is the blog I'm going to be using for the camping trip to Norway. I've got my mobile internet all set up so I should be able to do updates every couple of days, so make sure you keep checking the blog!
Just about got everything sorted now... sleeping bag, camping stove, tent, swiss army knife (just for the bottle opener attachment of course) and we're all pretty excited about going now. Just spoke to Rachel, sounds like she's having a great time out there already.
Flight leaves tomorrow afternoon - I'll do another entry when I've arrived!
Tom K
Just about got everything sorted now... sleeping bag, camping stove, tent, swiss army knife (just for the bottle opener attachment of course) and we're all pretty excited about going now. Just spoke to Rachel, sounds like she's having a great time out there already.
Flight leaves tomorrow afternoon - I'll do another entry when I've arrived!
Tom K
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