The beginning

This is my second foray into the world of blogging; this time documenting a pseudo-backpacking trip around Norway. (only pseudo-backpacking, because whilst we certainly have qualifying luggage I'm not sure the other particulars of our journey measure up to the "backpacking" label).

On my pervious blog I journal my cycle touring adventures, with my mascot 'the piratical duck' (and hangers on). Regrettably, during my last trip to the Tour de France I was separated from my duck, and never recovered him. Tragic; but one must dust one's self off and move on... so I have a new duck in my life.


The duck, in the first class carriage of the High Speed train from Newport to London Paddington.

This duck has his own cycling helmet and is painted with the Union Flag of the United Kingdom. A very British duck indeed. The title of the blog comes from the Gilbert and Suliven song "British Tar" and seemed somehow fitting for our new mascot.


"So!", I hear you cry, "if he has a cycling helmet then why, pray tell, are you taking him on a backpacking trip". The answer to this question hinges on my long suffering traveling companion and friend, Chris. The last time we attempted a bike tour together he ran into trouble on what the itinerary labeled "day 0" in the form of strain injuries (to /both/ of his knees); and so ended his participation in the trip. Without getting into the full history of Chris and bike tours it is sufficient to say that this wasn't the first incident of this sort. Consequently I thought we would try something that didn't involve two (or three) wheels and pedaling.




Onward to adventure!