Day 26

Munkeby to Markabygda
Distance: 15.2 miles / 24.5 km
Cumulative: 294.0 miles / 473.2 km

“Monotony is the law of nature. Look at the monotonous manner in which the sun rises.” Mahatma Gandhi 

Today’s quote does double duty. There is a monotony to our general daily routine—wake up, get dressed, have cold cuts or fish eggs on crisp bread for breakfast, come back to our room to pack our backpacks full of smelly clothes, head out the door and start walking. Then today, the monotony surrounded us. 

Of the 15+ miles, about 13 were on a gravel road through the forest. It’s pretty, but come on. Sometimes there was a stream, and for about a mile we were along a lake that gave us some nice views, including one for our lunch spot. But mostly today we stared at a road through the trees. 

This is what we saw for four hours. 

A nice lunch spot. 

Kristine walking. 

Melvin walking. 

There was a 15 minute incident with some sheep. They came out on the road ahead of us and promptly fled. Unfortunately, a mom and lamb got left behind, resulting in a lot of anxiety, both among the sheep and the hikers. Finally we moved as far to the side of the road as we could and the wayward pair snuck sheepishly by us to rejoin the flock. 

We had rain again today. One early shower caused us to don our rain gear, only to doff it 15 minutes later. (I only mention this because I have never had occasion to use doff in a sentence.) The real rain started about a hour before we finished. 

Our accommodations tonight are, let’s say, spartan. And we are left to scrounge through the cupboard and refrigerator to come up with dinner. 

Three more days of walking.