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I’ve decided to journal my trip to Norway in a more natural, freestyle fashion.
The usual guides, tips, and itinerary posts will still happen, but I miss just telling my story day to day. I haven’t done that since my 2015 road trip across America, and I love having those posts as mementos.
Railways are the bane of my travels…
Despite preferring and usually recommending driving to the airport, I intended to use the trains this time.
My previous trip was all rail based as we enjoyed a whirlwind tour of Christmas Markets. It was thwarted by the railway twice!
First there was a strike on the day we returned to London via Eurostar, so we couldn’t travel home that day as planned. This meant forking out for a hotel in London and not getting home till midday the following day.
Second, the train from Brussels to Cologne broke down in a tunnel, stranding us in the snow for four hours. But that’s another story…
This time we are back to the railway strikes. I’d booked my £6 advance ticket only to be told two weeks before departure that no trains would be running on my route that day.
So once again I’m spending extra money, this time on parking. £85 for two weeks at Gatwick isn’t bad I grant you, but a darn sight more than £12 for trains!
Getting to Gatwick
On the plus side, driving means I can get home without walking from the train station.
It also means I can spend the evening with my Dad and Nan en-route to the airport.
I have a nice chilled out time eating Mac and Cheese and Garlic Bread (gluten free of course) and watching game shows before making my way to the Long Stay Parking Lot.
Despite it taking longer than usual to get to the airport (RE: No Trains = More Traffic) I park easily and have no issues.
Then I see the bus arriving just as I get my suitcase out of the car. I really don’t want to run, but I speed walk towards the stop thinking I’m going to miss the bus and have to wait for another.
The travel fates are on my side though and the driver sees I’m coming and pulls over to wait for me 😍 Simple kindness restores my faith in humanity a little bit.
The Reason I Write
As I get off the bus, it’s just me and one other lady. I wave to the driver and give him a thumbs up and thank you for stopping for me earlier.
And then as is the theme of all my solo holidays, I’m never alone for long. And I haven’t even got in to the airport yet! I can’t even remember how we started talking but, the other lady on the bus and I chat as we walk to the terminal.
Anyway, why I’m telling you about this is because she embodies everything I preach on this site.
Her name is Karen and last year she found out her husband was cheating with his secretary. Oh the cliche!! She’s still pretty devastated and was teary as we talked, but she’s such a strong resilient independent woman.
Her first trip alone was last year during the separation (before discovering the cheating) and she has the bug, I can tell.
She’s clearly nervous but not letting that stop her. She’s now off on her own to meet a friend in the Caribbean. Determined to not let life pass her by.
I love just being able to talk to strangers and connect immediately. It’s something that only really happens when travelling solo.
The Usual Anxiety
It’s funny how travelling solo for me has no impact on my anxiety. I’d be just as stressed with other people as I am on my own.
Maybe it’s because I’m usually (always!) the one organising and managing the journey. Probably it’s because alone or not, I’m still not in control of the process.
Beholden to weather, traffic, strikes, delays, etc. being with others can’t alleviate any of these things.
Case in point, being stuck on a train in Germany with my friend was just as panic inducing for me as it would have been on my own.
I guess having someone to share the experience with is a little better, but really if I’m anxious company doesn’t help me.
Regardless, the usual anxiety symptoms appear like clockwork. Mild panic attacks three days out, a dodgy tummy on the travel day itself, tight chest and headaches. All the things I have now come to expect when I travel.
However, I know just as these symptoms always appear, they also always dissipate once I’ve arrived wherever I’m going.
Flying Free
There are no holdups at the airport.
I do manage to lose my hoodie and scarf in the bag scanner but the lovely assistant finds them swiftly for me with a smile. Note to self: use three trays next time!
I get on the plane with no issues except they lost me 😂
My boarding pass must not have registered when I scanned it so they thought I hadn’t boarded. Still, they double check I’m here and tell me their pleased as my bag is on board! Nice to have confirmation!
I’ve got the whole front row to myself too.
I always pay for the front row seat now. I’ve flown in uncomfortable seats more than enough times thanks to my long legs. I’ll suck it up and pay extra to be comfortable.
The flight is fine, a little turbulence but nothing unusual. We land on time, I sailed through passport control, and only have to wait ten minutes for my bag.
This means I actually get on the Flybussen I booked (you can catch any that day but have to select a preferred time when booking) and am leaving the airport for Bergen within five minutes.
The Rain Rain Rain came Down Down Down
I knew it would be raining. There have been reports of strong winds up the Norwegian coast for a few days, and lots of weather warnings in place. In fact, the Hurtigruten cruises already departed have cancelled many ports due to the wind. Things look better from Friday so fingers crossed my voyage runs smoothly.
Right now however, it means I have to walk from the bus stop to the Airbnb in the pouring rain.
I’m British, rain is part of my DNA. Doesn’t mean I have to like it. Especially hauling a 21kg suitcase up hills and against the wind. Although the one time the wind is behind me and I’m going downhill I rather rethink my position!
Still, I remain upright and make it to the front door. I’m soaked, but my coat has proved it was worth paying for as I’m dry underneath that at least.
Hunkering Down
The Airbnb is lovely, and I’m more that happy to just spend the evening cosy inside.
Alas I must venture out for food having not actually eaten anything yet today.
A quick change into more waterproof trousers and I go back out into the fray. It’s much less of a problem sans suitcase of course.
I buy some groceries to make mushroom risotto for dinner and resist buying wine (mainly because I can’t see any in the store!), then make my way back to my home for the next two nights.
Which is where you find me now. Fed, warm, a load of laundry underway (yes my two rain soaked outfits really are that bad!), writing my blog with Netflix on in the background.
The only thing missing is the wine!
But today marks the end of Dry January and I have accomplished the task thanks to a poorly stocked supermarket and I would like to believe, a bit of willpower.
Tomorrow is February, all bets are off!
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