Skien

 by Wiebe

Day 104 | Gone fishing

Day 104 | Sunday June 26

For a Sunday I woke up fairly early and I met the other parts of the family who were already asleep when I arrived last night. Saskia’s husband, son and daughter. We had a nice Dutch breakfast and had a chat about what they are all doing here.

Saskia wanted to show me around town and because her daughter is getting her drivers license she drove our ‘tourbus’ through Skien. It is a nice town in Southern Norway. We did a quick stop at a lock (not the one were you put a key in but the thing to move boats to higher parts) which was apparently the only one in Norway.

With Saskia I went to a open air museum were some 400 year old houses still were standing strong. It was interesting to see how they were being build. They start with stacking wooden poles on each other. People with less money leave it like that and the ones with a bit more to spend cover it with wooden panels so it looks a bit better decorated, they even carve wooden ornaments on it.

My next stop was in Lillesand, 150km from Skien. Nicolai invited me over and he was one of the first in Scandinavia to plug me in on the website. I met him at his office in Lillesand. It’s a cute little town with almost only white houses. Nicolai has a lot of knowledge about renewable energy and gives advice about this to companies.

Nicolai didn’t had food in house yet so in stead of going to the supermarkt to buy it we took the boat and went fishing! It was quite a unique boat ride. The shores and cliffs are so beautiful here. He threw the fishing line in the water and I would drive the boat. Already after a few minutes we caught a mackerel. His 2 year old daughter was also with us and even though we didn’t understand each other it was fun to play around with her. Making weird faces and putting out a tongue seems to be a universal language.

After an hour or so we return back home. He lives here with his wife Christine and 3 daughters since 2 years in this old farm. I had an whole stable for myself to sleep in this night. Christine works as a psychologist for companies.

So far I really enjoy Norway. The people are very welcoming and what I have seen of the country so far is beautiful. And from what I’ve heard it’s only getting better when I go up north.

The lock in Skien
Old house
Paintings
The Fam
Nicolai
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 by Wiebe

Day 103 | Leaving Oslo

Day 103 | Saturday June 25

Since a few weeks I had been in touch with Jeroen, a Dutchman living here in Norway, close to Lillehammer. He introduced me to the Norwegian EV association and gave me some more tips. Last week he asked me if I’m stopping by at his place but unfortunately I has to answer no as his lives out of the route. I invited him to go together to the presentation of the SP:01 for the general public, which was today. He was very enthusiastic about this so around 11 we met there.
Jeroen is a musician and plays the guitar. Together with a friend in Lofoten who is an photograph they made a DVD, Jeroen composing the music for the pictures his friend shot. He gave me a copy and you might hear is music one of my videos soon.
At the presentation there were also some electric motorbikes and Jeroen as an motorlover he took the opportunity to test one. When he got back after a few minutes his hair already unfolded he enjoyed it.

https://www.facebook.com/PlugMeIn/photos/a.357717747770627.1073741829.211949022347501/504078846467849/?type=3&theater

At the presentation I met 2 people who also had a plan to make a roadtrip with an electric car. They have this project called Toughtleader Global and want to travel all around Europe in 1 month to visit eco resorts. I thought they were here to present their plans and find some contacts but I was surprised to find out they already are starting this Wednesday! And they don’t have a car yet! Pretty amazing.
So they are doing videos along the way and wanted to interview me. I believe it will be aired in South African TV in a few months.

I rushed back to Oyvind’s place to get my stuff as I had to go to the next plugger. I thanked them for their hospitality and kindness, I stayed at their place 4 nights so I was very thankful.

My next hosts live in Skien but they were BBQ’ing in another place. I put the address in my navigation and when I was there I send them a text. When I told them where I was they didn’t know this place and asked me to put another adress in the GPS. We found out I was 65km away from them… Damn! I didn’t have enough power so it was necessary to stop in a tiny place.
Fortunately charging stations are everywhere here and with the key and RFID chips I received from elbil.no, Vortum and Grønn I can charge nearly at every station.

The last days I had the feeling I loose range more easily and bumps felt less hard so I had the feeling the pressure of the tires was not right. I stopped at a gasstation to check it and actually this was the first time I had to do this myself. I didn’t completely understand how the thing works and was afraid to blow up the tires. In the gasstation were 3 guys sitting so I asked them if they could help. One of the guys drove an EV too and really liked my project. They explained me what to do, listened to my story and continued their way. A few minutes later they came back and offered me a huge pack of drinks. Pretty awesome guys!

Around 23.30 I arrived in Skien at Saskia’s place, a Dutchie. She lives here with her husband and child but they were already asleep. We had a short chat and because she waited for me a long time she was pretty tired so we plugged in the car and went to bed.

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