After the city it was good to be heading out to the country again. 

Going south west we took side trips to a number of towns. The roads tend not to follow the coastline here, and that is understandable as the coast is so indented and has so many islands that roads to the coastal towns tend to be offshoots from the highway. And off course we are now starting to see the road toll signs. They are all electronically registered from our number plate and are pretty well unavoidable because of the road layout. 

We stayed a couple of nights at Lillesand and explored nearby Kristiansand and the surrounding area. In contrast to the red houses we have been seeing, this area is known for its white houses. Some towns are called 'white towns'. And pretty they are. Lillesand is such a town and is a lovely holiday/fishing type place. 


 
 
 Kristiansand is larger with a fortess, a lovely concert hall and of course an old area with wooden houses. Near the concert hall was the fish market where we bought fish which turned out to be delicious. And we bought cooked crab for next days lunch as well.

After Kristiansand we travelled down south to Flekkeroy, and island suburb of the town. Lovely place. Beautiful homes and gardens and many holiday/ fishing type places, but difficult to find a place to park. When we did briefly pull into a place by the road someone told us to move on.No matter as we had had a look at the gorgeous view and the camera had done its bit.

From here and towards Mandal there was a coastal road and it was here that we started to see some of the fjords for which Norway is renowned. Steep mountains, deep blue water and endless forests of firs, birch and other trees. 

And we are getting used to seeing houses built on rock. Houses are strung in rows along ridges of mountains, each aimed for the view. They are built on tiny rock islands or almost overhanging the waters edge. And the boats. So many that everyone must own one. Considering how many months of the year they could be used this could be quite an investment. But then Norway is the seafaring country. Seems to be what I have in my mind.

We spent the night in a cabin overlooking the water. Lovely and snug and away from the drizzly rain outside.