Day 59 – 25 Aug, Near Dam NW edge of Lake Naamesejenjaevrie to Royrvik
(20 km, total 1510 km, 4h 15m , 0735 to 1150)
After the clear skies before I stopped last night I was expecting a nice day but it rained a little during the night and was now overcast and looking like it would rain. My tent was really wet with condensation but after wiping this down when waking up it was dry by the time I packed my tent though the outside was wet from the light rain during the night.
It was cold so I was in gloves again.
I now had 10 km on a gravel road and then 20 km on a sealed road between me and a big meal of hot food and a shower.
The gravel road went quickly with nice views of the lake to my left.
About 3km from the road junction I was surprised to see a fancy motorhome coming towards me. I asked where he was going as there was nothing down this road. He said he was looking for some holiday accommodation and I informed him it was not down this road. Once he gave me the name I found it on my map and sent him back the way he came with instructions. He had come on the wrong side of the lake. He kept trying to offer me a ride which was nice, though I explained why I couldn’t accept but he did not seem to understand.
The rest of the gravel section went quickly and I turned right at a junction for another 700m of gravel road before reaching the sealed road. At the junction I made up a tortilla wrap with the last of my cheese and salami. I put my hiking poles on my pack and started the road walk with a tortilla in each hand.
I was surprised that my feet were not protesting the road walk. Physically I was actually handling the road much better than I thought I would. I was walking a pace that was comfortable, and not too fast like I usually try to do on the roads. I think this is what made it pain free.
It was a narrow road with lots of passing bays and there was very little traffic. The view was pine trees, lakes, the occasional cabin and the occasional farm.
This walk also seemed to go quite quickly and before I was expecting I was crossing the bridge over the lake and finishing the final 3 km into the small town of Royrvik.
It started raining with 3 km to go and the last 500m was in heavy rain.
Other hikers had recommended the Limengen Guesthouse, which I think is the only accommodation in town, so I headed there. When I entered a man in Chef uniform greeted me and gave me a room. I asked about lunch and they do not do a menu so I just asked what he recommended and he gave me bacon and eggs on thick bread with a salad which was great. He also was very helpful in explaining about the supermarket location and timings and about the petrol station which also sold outdoor supplies.
I then headed to the supermarket/post office which was 500m away as I had been told it closes early on Saturdays and would be closed all Sunday. I brought enough supplies for a 6 day leg, though I needed to see my maps to work out how long it would be. I also picked up my package I had mailed there, which had my maps. By happy chance the manager of the Guesthouse was there doing shopping and, while she had no room for me, she offered to take my bags of shopping and parcel up to the Guesthouse which was appreciated.
Now finally I could settle in. I took everything out of my pack and hang up too dry.
I threw my socks in the bin as they had disintegrated over the last week and had big holes in the bottom. They did not last as long as my icebreaker socks did. I had my new icebreaker socks in the resupply package so was happy to throw the other ones out.
Now a long hot shower and the Manger had shown me where the laundry was so I was able to wash everything. She even provided laundry soap. I worked out that my Kathmandu Merino Top had gone 17 days without being washed. I have been impressed with this top, it is holding its shape well and had not shown any sigh of wear. There was a small hole at the bottom of one sleeve which was from the washing machine at my very first rest day on day 6 but this had not grown and there were no other rips.
Now I was able to just relax for a while, enjoying the heat of my room and looking at the rain outside.
I had an early dinner as the kitchen closes at 1800 and once again went with the Chefs recommendation which was salmon with white wine sauce and potatoes, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. Very nice. It seems that this Guesthouse works more on bookings and does not get many walk ins like me, hence the kitchen does not carry a big supply of ingredients.
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