Raining as we left our little room in Stavenger. In Norway we really didn’t need to deal with the weather let alone a war.

A couple of Ukrainians embraced and cried, as one recognised the other after years at war. The Norwegians didn’t seem to mind as two people hugged each other, and the crowd clapped.

We left in the glorious rain and I say glorious because when it’s happened we welcomed it eg when it rained at night time.

Some rails are being replaced so we had to catch a train, a bus, and then two more trains. The train was okay and we were sitting next to another Ukrainian man who was doing things for people such as lifting prams, putting up seat trays etc. But it was when he met a Ukrainian countrywoman they nearly squashed each other to death. They cried, they laughed, they hugged, a highly emotional scene.

So back to our transport. All went well until our bus arrived at the next train station.

The bus was met by the train which was two hours late. The good news – it gave me time to do a bush walk close by and close enough to see Corrie, and I could hear the loudspeaker. It was a great trail and just about circled the rail station. Various others joined me but at a distance. That saved me a midnight walk else I couldn’t achieve out 22km daily average.

We travelled through spectacular countryside with huge moss covered and black rocks and a whole range of natures deliciously shaped lakes on different levels, with superb mountains holding them in between each other.

Grieg  would have been living in such a spectacularly divine country and to be able to add another rhythmic side to it, an invaluable musical legacy.

Another train journey and another story. We obliviously stepped into meowing cages, the cat was obviously bored and angry, the dogs just barked cause that’s what they do. And just when we thought all was settled we had a problem with tickets.

She was the first Norwegian who we’d heard raise her voice. We saw that she had no. 3 and we had nos. 3 and 4. Before anything could be negotiated she screamed  “and I’m not leaving” (she can’t be like that after all the nice things I’ve been saying about them).

Hey! ! But she has done nil wrong. We didn’t want to make this an issue and she did not care so we waited for the conductor who really didn’t care. After a few words were spoken – I said I didn’t really care either but I don’t want someone asking for my ticket because it’s his/hers seat.

Immediately, the one who really didn’t care had ‘an out’, there were lots of seats in first class  (wink, wink – I think he scored me highly). So two hours in the best first class seats (free chocs; cakes and coffee)
note how they listen more to no. 2 talker).

Arriving back in Lillehammer there were lots of nearly forgotten walks.

My No. 1 priority was to find my marathon runner. My host and her friend called her. She was wondering where I was. When she finally found us, she drove us into the forest to her old place with views over a large lake.

Corrie got on well with Oodrun and both of them had a great talk together. One thing they had in common was a terrible weeping blister. It still hurts 30 years on for Oodrun  but her race time was  her best time ever: Corrie’s had fully recovered and she made a friend forever.

As we came down from yet another mountain I taught her how to dance and we danced together down the rocky path until we heard this beautiful singing. I think she was Iranian and so we danced and we  sung and Corrie was starting to become very professional at it.
It was all part of a conference in a hotel and Charlie Ebdo the cartoonist was one of a few guests and what stood out for me was when he said this: he said when nations have differences they fight but not in Norway – they learn respect first.

When asked about the worlds future he said he was not an optimist.

So when will it all be  over Charlie?

But before you answer that Charlie I got a call from Oodrun who asked if I would like to attend a two hour Pd class with them. So I did. I will bring this back to Mel to see the possibilities of doing something with them at a later stage. We said our goodbyes and went for a four hour walk.

We keep ending up on St Olav’s trail which included the four hours above.

By the way are you ready for the first of its kind walking marathon, only two months away. A great team made up of primarily those with pd are expanding their horizons, drawing their line in the sand which gives them the opportunity to gain the rewards that pd plans to hold back from us.

But we have a bigger plan and part of that plan is to inspire yourself so that you can inspire others.

Community events such as this are inclusive and just spending time walking your event (maybe moving up to a half marathon challenge or moving down to ten kms or going from a frame to walking poles But remember If you’re moving up – get advice and get ready for the Parkinson’s Walking Marathon 2024 now in its 3rd year.
I’ll be there with one months solid training for the marathon, we would love to break the dozen barrier.
Or join Dynamic Dean he will always find something for you.

Registration forms coming tomorrow

Lovely to have you on our adventure and please keep writing. Corrie and I are still here

Hope life is great
Will