Looking out our bedroom window, I gazed upon the local houses, thinking they looked like a Lego constructed home. The day was starting off fine, with forecast of rain in patches during the day.

A nice breakfast, we retrieved our bikes, packed and off we headed.

We were to ride most of the day through the southern Telemark region, dotted with islands and bays.

The first site of note, was Bamble kirke, a white wooden church built in 1845. It is impressive with its white timber exterior.

Adjacent were the Olavskirken (St Olav’s church) ruins, initially constructed around 1150, and left to fall into ruin after the new church was built.

St Olav is the patron saint of Norway.

We ended up on a horrendously busy road for a period, where a yellow bus overtaking Tony did not veer away at all. It was close.

Fortunately, after 10 km or so, we veered off onto a lovely country road that meandered around internal lakes and fjords, providing lovely views.

At Kragerø we were to catch a ferry at 11.30. We had arrived with 50 minutes to spare. Time to chill.

Kragero kirke was built in the 1870’s replacing the previous built in the 1600’s.

From Kragero you can head to outer islands including Jomfruland National Park.

This was to be our journey today, crossing to Stabbestad, a 12 minute ride by ferry.

Our ferry arrived. An assortment of vehicles included a big yellow bus! I did wonder if it possibly could be the same one.

The we climbed out of Kragero with now very cold legs. They did protest. I think it was a 1.5 km climb too. Spin, spin, spin.

Today was all up down, climb, descend, repeat. We climbed 879 metres today in around 65 km.

We were inland again for a while, but again dotted with water views.

I had mapped the village of Oysang to check out. Down the hill we went. We decided not to leave and climb back up.

We had ridden about 65 km at this point and what we discovered changed our plans, for a few reasons.

We discovered this little wooden boat. It turns out it it Norways oldest wooden ferry still active. It travels a few times a day between Oysang and Risør (our destination).

The schedule works around school children taking them to and from school in Risor.

There was a 2 pm ferry scheduled. That was about 45 minutes away so we cleaned our bikes and ate some of our food.

At 1.59 pm three people walked down the hill and we paid 200 Norwegian kronor and hopped on.

The journey across the fjord is part of the North Sea cycle route. The route was threatened with closure in the 1990’s but a local interest group worked hard to keep the route open, with the ferry refitted in 2003.

The setting for the Oysang harbour is tiny and ever so pretty. We were really enchanted by the area.

We met a lady who lives in Oslo, but has a summer house here. She was on the ferry to get her groceries in Risor. She told me her neighbour is from Tasmania.

It is a 25 minute crossing, and we quickly arrive in Risor. Guns on deck.

We checked in. I negotiated a preferable storage location for our bikes after rejecting the first suggestion (behind the outside bar).

I asked if she thought they could be stolen there (knowing I was not accepting this option already), and the response ‘you never know these days’ did not pass the test.

They are now in a locked room within the hotel!

We wandered around town. Most of the buildings are white and timber. One place was being stripped back and it was a lovely timber beneath.

We found a nice restaurant and feeling hungry ordered two courses. Entrees were bigger than anticipated and we battled eating main course.

Certainly not cheap eating here, spending over 1200 kroner, we walked a bit more to settle our stomachs!

It was a good day today. We had some rain, we had some wind, we had lots of climbing, but we had some great sights.

We certainly do not regret cutting the ride by 30 km to take the old wooden ferry as it was a beautiful experience on a piece of Norwegian history.

Thanks for reading and joining us.

😊❣️🚴💪