The fall is very often arriving a bit too early, and the recipe for the extension of summer is a trip out in the seaside. I am in Vikerhavn on Hvaler, it is October, and inland we have already had the first frost. Out here, nature has not gone to sleep yet. Despite shorter days and a low sun, it’s as if nature fights against the coming winter and wants to keep the summer for yet some time.
It is early morning and sun is reflected in the mirrorlike sea between the reefs. On the outside the sea is heavy after yesterday’s fresh wind.
The tourists have long gone, now it is only the most eager among the cabin owners and residents here. Currently, I am alone on my walk by the sea. A cormorant fly by on its way out to the open sea, maybe to Torbjørnskjær searching for food. Some small birds fly in and out of the scrub along the path. Other than this it seems like I have the area to myself.
The sound of the water owns this morning; the sound of the waves that doves in and out of the reefs and glides calmly over the them in other places. As I walk to the outside of the reefs, the waves get bigger and wash over the reefs with great force. The reefs are never dry here and are dangerously slippery. In my eagerness to get close to the water, I have a near-water experience and decide that enough is enough. I walk up to the top of the reef to the radar station and return to the harbour. It’s time for breakfast, I’ve completely forgotten the time, and the breakfast is probably served.
After breakfast there it is time to leave. I have no plan for my trip home, but I intend to find new roads in inner Østfold. The weather is beautiful and I start the trip with an ordinary choice of road – to Fredrikstad and then Fv 110 in direction of Råde. After the lake Skinnerflo I decide to take Fv 359 in direction of Missingmyr. Just after driving under E6, I turn left on Fv 118, then right onto Fv 282 towards Svinndal. A lovely road, and I have it mostly for myself. In Svinndal, I turn right on to Fv 115.
At the Haugskrysset junction I turn right on to Fv 266. This road is narrow and with tight turns, quite different to previous roads I have ridden so far today. Not a good choice of road if you are in a hurry, and I’m riding slow and enjoying the colours of the autumn. I ride past Skiptvedt church and follow Fv 264 until I come to Grønnlund and I’m back on Fv 115. I have planned to take a detour to have a look at the Vamma power plant.
I cross the river Glomma over the Vamma bridge and turn left at the first crossing. I then keep right and follow the narrow road down to the parking lot at the power station. Vamma power plant is Norway’s largest river power plant and is now receiving an extensive modernization and they are building a new powerplant as well. The construction works are visible both on the power plant and the area further downstream (see video).
Back on Fv 115 I continue to Askim. The plan is to drive via Solbergfoss power plant and into Enebakk and Rælingen. But in Askim I get lost, which is a bit of charm by driving without maps and GPS. I find Askim Church and as I previously only have been in Askim centre I know get to know another and much more attractive part of Askim. I eventually find the direction to Fv 738 and turn left towards Solbergfoss.
Suddenly there is a camel on the field next to the road, I automatically turn off the throttle – a camel – here? This was Google stuff, so when I got home I found that at Solbergfoss Naturgård they have two camels on the stable!
Solbergfoss offers evening sun and I take a little break and enjoy the heat from the sun. The power plant has impressive dimensions, and there are two power plants here, Solbergfoss I and Solbergfoss II. The first was built in 1913.
I still have idyllic ride through Enebakk and Rælingen, but the 60-speed zone is extremely looong, at least it seems like that. The BMW runs like a clock, but clearly signals that it would appreciate a bit more speed. I won’t complain; the day has offered a lot of nice riding and nice experiences, and a camel – that was a surprise!
Useful links:
Vamma 12 project
Vamma powerplant
Solbergfoss powerpant
Solbergfoss Naturgård