DAY 76 - 78
Day 76 – Let it go
In Snåsa, we noticed that one of the tires was punctured by a screw. We thought we had to buy a new tire, but seeing as the garage was closed, we had no option but to wait until Monday.
After a lengthy breakfast at the farm, I said goodbye to Joran and Ole Johan, while Simon went with my second cousin to the garage to get the tire fixed. There, we got the pleasant surprise that we didn’t have to buy a new tire, but that they could cheaply fix it.
We were quite proud of how we handled the situation. In stead of stressing and losing ourselves in worst-case scenarios, we were able to let go, as it was out of our hands, and allow a (perfect) solution to present itself.
Later, we met up and drove to Steinkjer to buy some food and gas. I also took advantage of being in civilization by using the public toilet at the local cinema.
Disturbing and unnatural lighting, made my head spin. Blue-da-be-di
Then, we went looking for a nice spot somewhere around Leksdalsvatnet and found one close to a small beach.
Steps: 28 214
Day 77 – She said yes
I wanted to take a look at the beach before I walked on. Simon wanted to join so we walked together. It was a beautiful day and it was about to become even more so.
Suddenly, Simon went down on one knee and asked if I wanted to marry him.
I cannot remember how I reacted when he popped the question. I have no idea what my face looked like. But I do remember saying yes. In my heart, there was no doubt. The man in front of me was the man I wanted. Forever.
“I have a ring, but I forgot it in the car,” Simon said shakily. Actually, he didn’t forget it, he just thought the beach was the perfect place to propose, and he just couldn’t wait any longer. He had prepared for a long time, he had even shown the ring to my family. When we got back to the van, I got the ring.
It was perfect. My precious!
I had some time to wrap my head around the fact that I was now engaged on my hike. After we met up again, we found ourselves a perfect camping spot close to Vuku, and while we were snuggly warm on the sofa of the van, Simon read to me a card he had prepared for the proposal. Very personal, from the heart, and beautiful.
Then we made cake.
Steps: 27 531
Day 78 – You know you're in Trøndelag when the police show up on a tractor
It didn’t take me long to decide on a rest day. The first morning as an engaged couple, we celebrated with a Disney movie, cake, and fruit salad.
Outside, it was pouring down, so it was nice to be snug and warm inside the van. I updated my blog, Simon read and suddenly, it was dark again and time for dinner. Time went by so quickly. I wanted to take another rest day, or rather, a rest week, but I also wanted to get on with my journey.
We had parked the car somewhere very remote in the forest, so we were very surprised when suddenly a tractor came and turned its lights on us. I got out and to my surprise, met a policeman.
“Ah, you’re Norwegian,” he said, glancing at the van’s Belgian registration number. He had got tipped off that foreigners were doing some illegal hunting up in the woods and he came to check on us. As we were pretty and innocent, he bade us goodnight and left on his tractor.
Steps: 456
