"So what do we actually want to do?" Remy asked, after we'd been staring at the map of Scandinavia for quite a while. For anyone going on holiday, that's probably the first question you ask. I looked at Remy, baffled. I hadn't even considered that! I admit, that sounds a bit odd...
Because of the upcoming work on the top of our house (hooray, the roof is finally coming off!), this summer has turned into a real puzzle: working out when we're going, how long, what we're going to do, and how to combine it all with various visits and appointments. Some of the puzzle pieces have fallen into place by now, but quite a few are still missing, and some don't seem to fit at all.
One thing's for sure: we are going on holiday! After more than two years without a proper break - not even a weekend away - we're more than ready for one. And where we're going isn't difficult either: Scandinavia, since it still needs to tie in with my to-do list for the cycling guide due out in January. Luckily, that list is very short this time round.
And now, at last, we also know when we're going. We'd already blocked out six weeks in our diary half a year ago - as late in the summer as possible, since we weren't sure when the contractor would replace our roof. That seemed like the safe choice, as the new roof would surely be in place by then. Apparently not. Contractors are busy. Very busy. So our contractor - weather permitting (!) - will start replacing our roof around the 1st of September. We've only just found this out, so we've brought our holiday forward and shortened it.
We leave in about ten days!
But what do we actually want to do? Remy's question still hasn't quite been answered. Originally (half a year ago) the plan was not just to cycle, but to walk and kayak as well, with multi-day trips for all three. But over the past six months we simply haven't had the time or headspace to prepare for that, so multi-day walking and kayaking trips no longer seem all that practical - if only because we lack, well, the equipment. And the things we're missing are precisely the most essential ones: a kayak, decent walking boots, and a rucksack.
"Do you know what I really miss, and would love to do?" I asked Remy. "Cycling. Just setting off from home and cycling for weeks on end. I don't care where to, as long as I don't have to do anything. No plotting routes, no testing roads, no appointments along the way, nothing to arrange... Just an old-fashioned cycling holiday, like we used to have before I turned it into my job."
"Well..." said Remy. "But you've still got a few things to sort out in Norway."
Well... I do still have a few things to sort out in Norway. So the puzzling continues. My mother once told me that as a toddler I loved doing jigsaw puzzles, shouting "It fits!" with every piece - whether it actually fit or not. I still enjoy a good puzzle, and I've got a bit better at it since then. Just as well, because besides a holiday, we've also got an entire house to piece together!
But before we throw ourselves into that, let's first get on with our own 'puzzle tour' through Scandinavia. Along the way, we'll send out the occasional newsletter. Feel free to follow along if you're curious, or if you'd like to check just how good we really are at puzzling. It might be a bit of a tall claim...
We wish you all a wonderful summer!
Via Gaia news
And one more message for cyclists, walkers, pilgrims, and Scandinavia enthusiasts
For everyone who wants to order a guide, passport, or souvenir from the Via Gaia webshop at the last minute:
When we leave, the webshop will remain open, but shipping may take slightly longer than usual. So if you already know that you'll be going off on a pilgrimage in Scandinavia, please order in good time to make sure it arrives before you go. See: Webshop.
A few items, by the way, are nearly sold out and won't be restocked: magnet (1 left) olive wood heart (1 left), olive wood cross (2 left), St Olav silver necklace (2 left), merino beanie (1 left), staff shield (10 left), bucket hat (4 brown, 3 blue left). See: Pilgrim-items
And in case you're curious: I'm currently working on a cycling guide to the Kystpilegrimsleia (Coastal Pilgrims' Route). It will be published in January '27, in English (and most likely Dutch too). I'll be giving a talk about it at the conference in Stavanger (September, 23–25). More information about the route can be found here: Kystpilegrimsleia / Coastal Pilgrim Route