Welcome to small boat paradise (Flekkefjord)

While making our way from Egersund to Flekkefjord, we experienced again how the outside coast is exposed to wind and sea. But as you move behind an island or inside a fjord, it soon gets quiet. The tidal range is limited, and boats can be attached to any fixed pontoon. No wonder people established a myriad of pontoons with barbecues along these protected coast lines. They also built little houses to store boats next to summer cottages.

Biking in Egersund

In Egersund, we enjoyed the varied biking trails. The old road along the railway was converted to a cycling path (Gamle Jaerbanen). The trail took us along inlets and ponds. The scenery looked familiar, except that there were seagulls and sailboats could access it from the sea.

On the way to Flekkefjord

On a sunny day, we headed south to Flekkefjord. Before leaving, we stopped at the self-served fuel dock. Silvia missed the button for translation at the beginning of the process, so all the instructions were in Norwegian. We misinterpreted some of them and did not get that the machine was out of paper for printing out the precious tax receipt.

As we reached the island of Hidra and entered the sound to the north, we saw many fishing farms. A tug was trolling 3 of these structures and it looked like he was walking his fish. On our way up the Flekkefjord, we noted once again that the oil industry is never far and cohabits with the leisure activities.

Trades and influences

Flekkefjord is located at the end of the fjord. Its protected situation attracted the Dutch traders in the 16^th century. They were interested in stones and oak lumber which were dearly needed for house and boat construction in Holland. Lobster and other fish products were exported as well. In exchange, silver, grains, porcelain, silk, liquor, and tobacco came from the Netherlands. Norwegian families adopted soap, bleach and starch. These trades and the presence of dutch families influenced not only the architecture of the town (Hollenderbyen) but also the way of living of the Norwegian inhabitants. Later, the herring fishing industry also braught wealth to the town.

Holiday mood in Flekkefjord

Water is all around: Flekkefjord on the south and Grisefjord on the north. The channel linking both fjords flows right through the town. This channel gets busy with small motor boats during the day: stopping for an afternoon ice-cream, an evening at the restaurant or shopping. Summer vacation clearly started and the region is a lovely place for families.

While the wind was blowing on the North Sea, we were exploring and relaxing.

Safely moored at the pontoon just before the pedestrian bridge and next to the bakery, we enjoyed a series of nice sunny days.