Today, for Thursday doors,a challenge hosted by Dan, I figured I’d share the last of my door pictures taken in Sandefjord, Norway. I’m also going to participate in Jo’s Monday walk since this is also a post about my walk to Gokstad mound, where the 9th century Gokstad viking ship was found buried. Last but not the least, I’m linking it to Cee’s Flower of the Day challenge as I will be sharing pictures of flowers I took on my walk.

The walk to Gokstad Mound

I did not carry my umbrella as it didn’t seem like it would rain. The forecast for the day showed sunny climes. I should have worn my cap, but I didn’t, and that was a mistake. I ended up having to take off my cardigan and cover my head with it like a scarf (thankfully, it was warm, and I didn’t need to wear it). If I looked comical,I didn’t care, and I don’t think anyone else did, too, because Norwegians mind their business. As I did not have access to the net outside, I downloaded the map showing directions to Gokstad Mound in the hotel. Google said it would take me 36 minutes by walk. So, off I went.

The first landmark was the Clarion Collection Hotel, which I knew was after the square that was 500m from the hotel. With some cash in my pocket, my sunglasses, and my mobile, I began my journey. There was an open market in the square. All the stores in the area had their items on display, and it included expensive jewelry, artwork, wine glasses, and home furnishings.  I’m not sure if this is a usual summer market that happens every Thursday or if it had to do with it being Midsummer, 21st June, the Equinox.

At the Clarion hotel,I asked a lady for directions. She didn’t understand my accent when I asked for the way to the mound, so I had to show her the map. She nodded her head and said, ‘It’s too much to walk. It’ll take you more than 36 minutes,’ she said referring to the time on the screenshot of the map I had. ‘Go straight down the road and straight after the roundabout.  Good luck!’ she added with a smile.

On the way, I took a picture of these doors.

Outside the church, there was a fork in the road. Here, I asked a young girl in her early twenties or late teens the way. She told me to take the road that was on an incline. Again, she said, ‘It’s much too much to walk.’ She, too, wished me luck. Undaunted, I crossed to the hill road as she asked me to. The homes on either side were bigger than those in the town. And the road was quieter like I had left the town far behind.

After a stretch of around 2 km, there was a crossroad. I crossed over to buy a bottle of water and asked the cashier the direction. He said, ‘Keep going straight until you see a mound on the left side of the road.’ I thanked him and left. There were no homes in this area just fields as far as I could see.
Norway is a walker’s paradise with beautiful sidewalks, walkways, lovely weather (in the summer) and because it’s safe.

Some pretty flowers growing along the roadside.

And finally, the gate to the mound.

Having successfully reached the mound, I began the walk back to the hotel. 2.8 kms back and with this came an end to my stay in Sandefjord.

I hope you enjoyed the walk, the pictures of the doors, flowers, and the Gokstad mound.

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to stick around for the next. We’ll visit the whaling museum in Sandefjord, the largest in Europe dedicated to whales.

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