Want to paddle the waters of Scandinavia? Haven't got the charts? Not so much of a problem anymore.
This link (Krak) brings you the charts of Norway, Sweden and Denmark online and for free. You have to zoom a bit on different places to see buoys and such, but they are there. You can also get coords for your GPS if you want.
Of cause actual navigation by these maps is at your own risk, but imo. they are more than adequate for kayaks.
The link is also on the useful link section on the right.
An example
I have tried to schedule the time when this article is published. So the moment when this article hits the blog, I should be in my kayak, happily paddling north in the fjord.
I have started my first mini expedition of this year. I intend to reach the.sea, Kattegat, so Rauðaormr can be baptized as a ‘real’ sea kayak. And for the adventure, of cause.
If all are going according to plan, I am already on the move and will be back late Monday.
I know a bit of the way, but north of Kronprins Frederiks Bro it’s uncharted waters to me.
I will experiment with my camera on the way, so the reviews of the kayak and the camera should be ready next week, and they should be thorough.
Until then, I wish you all calm waters and fair winds.
A great future contribution to the blog has been delivered today by mail.
I have gotten my camera, a Kodak Playsport zx5. Yes yes yes.
So now pictures and videos will begin to be made of my trips.
Only have to wait for that darn battery to charge. So no pictures with this baby today. Ahh well, this summer is going to be a long warm one, I just know it. Lots of adventures ahead.
After much debating, looking at the constellation of the stars and flipping a coin, I have decided to name my kayak ‘Røde Orm’.
‘Røde’ means red, or ‘the red’, and Orm means worm, but can also mean a serpent like in the name ‘MidgaardsORMen’ (the Midgard Serpent).
To make it more norse myth authentic I have decided that the name should be written in Icelandic so the final name is:
Rauðaormr
First week of my PRO plan has been successfully completed, and since beginning is half done, I'm well on my way. Now I just need to keep my motivation intact and soon I will be paddling happily down the stream. What’s more: Outside the sun is shining, the temperature is rising, and we are closing the gap on the magic 10° mark!
The ‘nice lady’, a certified physiotherapist named Charlotte, made me a training program today. I didn't follow it through, I just tried the different exercises. But I’m tired and sore none the less. It is high time I have begun this PRO of mine.
On another matter: I also went to the doctor and got my last injection of the vaccine against TBE (Tick-borne encephalitis). I plan to make several trips of more than one day duration, so I’m going to camp on beaches and in forests. And those darn Ticks are everywhere. I’m going to get a vaccination against Tetanus also just in case.
I know it is not monday, but since the public swimmingpool was closed due to Easter Monday, I went today instead.
I did 20 laps, 1 km., and I'm totally wasted. But it was nice to confirm that I'm still able to do it, since the unofficial requirement, recommendation, for a kayaker in Denmark is 600 m..
So step one in my Physical Recovery Operation, PRO :-), has been successfully completed.
Think Im going to sleep tight and not caring if the bedbugs bite tonight.
