Day 15-2. Klovholt to Kilen contd.
We cycled along Nordsjø for a while before deciding it was now time for a spot of lunch. Just at the right time we came across a nice picnic spot with some tables. I brewed up and we sat in the sun enjoying the view for an half hour or so. According to a sign near the picnic spot there used to be a series of sluice gates used to regulate water in the lake and canal system. The old wooden hand operated gates had long since been taken out of use.
After lunch we headed into Ulefoss. In the centre we found a forest of signs and the large locks and power station. We took a quick look at the locks which were quite impressive and quite large. Damae took the opportunity to rehydrate as it was now very warm indeed. A couple of minutes later we headed off doubling back to the junction and crossing the bridge over the river. First point of interest on our map was Lille Ulefos Gjestegaard. We were now back on gravel tracks first shared with other vehicles but thereafter just for walkers and cyclists. The "gjestegaard" appeared about a quarter of an hour after leaving Ulefoss but it was too early to stop again so we pushed on.
Pushed was the right word to describe the next couple of hours. Whilst the scenery was fantastic the track was very steep in places, more suited to walkers or keen mountain bikers. We got off and walked in places and sought shade to try to cool off. The route had a couple of picnic spots along the way and had been well signed so far. Just before Eidsfoss locks we found some shade and some rather rustic signs on an equally rustic signpost and paused again in the shade. Here we found a second sign which read "Bratt bakke gå av sykkelen" or "Steep hill, get off your bike". The hill, although short, was very steep and covered with loose gravel. Even walking the bikes down we had to take care not to apply the brakes too hard.
As we neared the locks we noticed a canal boat full of passengers entering the highest lock. It was inching its way in so there was no need to rush to the canal. We passed a cute pink house which was available for rent as a holiday home and then walked our bikes to the canalside. The upper lock was still emptying when we arrived and it was not possible to cross the canal. We waited until the boat had moved into the lowest of the three locks and then tried to wheel our bikes across the top of the lock gates. The path was so narrow that we had to take off one front pannier to get the bikes across. Given my dislike of both heights and water I carried the panniers across with me and left it to Damae to get the bikes to the other side of the canal.
Once on the other side we waited to see the boat leave the locks and then headed on our way. We passed Eidsfoss power station and then, after consulting our maps, continued along the canal and its tributaries. Just before Vrangfoss locks we stopped after crossing a small wooden bridge to take a look at the view. We parked the bikes on the incline, the Petschler rear fork stands did a fine job, and we walked out to the lookout point. This looked like an impressive piece of engineering with five locks and drop of twenty three metres. We cycled up to the bridge and crossed the river, pausing to look at the locks and the dam and tunnel on the other side of the river. That was a lot of stone that had been moved to create these structures.
After Vrangfoss the route flattened out little as we returned to a landscape of farms and woods, enjoying the shelter from the sun that the trees offered us. We passed orchards and large expanses of wheat ripening in the sun. It looked lovely. We were now close to Lunde, at a quarter to five we crossed the main road onto a bridge that was only open to cyclists and pedestrians. It had once been the main bridge across the river in days gone by when drivers were patient enough to wait for someone else to cross before carrying on their journey.