Living Norwegianly: Micro Adventures, Epic Experiences

Very low hormone flare-ups have curtailed many of my summer dreams. It’s been sad and frustrating, but it's also made me rethink how I spend and value my time. I’m now channeling my energy into making each day count—corny, but true ;)

This means I've embraced micro-adventures: short, local, simple, and affordable adventures that are fun, exciting, refreshing, and rewarding (and sometimes challenging).

These mini-adventures require minimal time, effort, and energy, but offer maximum experience, happiness, and healing/recharging.

When I lived in London, micro-adventures became popular thanks to adventurer Al Humphreys. We’d squeeze in fun adventures between work, like sleeping in the city’s parks, canoeing the Thames, or camping on the beach. They broke up the hustle and monotony of city life.

In Norway, micro-adventuring is on a different level.

Within an hour, I can canoe on a mountain-surrounded lake, camp on or under mountains, hike to precariously perched cliffside cabins, ski to remote spots, or light bonfires under the stars (one time, our sausages were freezing quicker then they were cooking!). The possibilities are endless!

I started micro-adventuring last summer after breaking up with my boyfriend. Falling for the facade of adventurous, we never really went exploring.

I very quickly realized I didn’t need him, and I didn’t need to wait for another man to explore Norway’s wilderness. I could do it on my own! Since then, I’ve never looked back.

My adventures got even better last Autumn when I got my husky puppy, Woolfie. She’s given me even more motivation and courage to get out there, as I want her life to be filled with incredible experiences too.

In winter, on skis, we chased sunsets and sunrises, slept on mountaintops, and camped under the Northern Lights. If it was -15 and below, well, that just added to the magic.

As my health continues to recover this summer, we’re keeping our micro-adventures going. With a blow-up tent and a very light tent, we’re ready. But if the weather’s good and there are no bugs (very important), sleeping in my sleeping bag is my favourite.

One summer goal was to take Woolfie canoeing.

After a rough day on Monday , I DM’d my best friend, Bobina. She’s my go-to Bob The Builder and much better looking ;) I’ve discovered all Norwegians are immensely practical - only being able to hang pictures using sticky hooks is frowned upon (oops).

That evening, we were floating in a canoe on a lake, surrounded by forested mountains with the sun beaming down upon us.

We had nowhere to go and nowhere to be, apart from floating on the lake. We felt the peacefulness of the lake washing over us, taking our worries away.

Woolfie is not a fan of swimming. She is very reluctant to go into water above her belly. So I was pleasantly surprised that after covering Bobina in dirty lake water, she took to canoe life like a pro!

With her cute pink life jacket on, she was very content watching the world go by. Mesmerized by the water sailing past us, and the swinging paddles. Occasionally taking gulps of fresh glacial water off the side!

Another summer goal was to sleep outside with just the inner tent. So you can still feel the breeze and see the stars, but without the bugs (very important).

Last Thursday, I decided it was time. Woolfie and I drove to the Hallingskarvet mountain range after work.

This mountain is my pilgrimage spot. It has helped me heal from heartbreak. Now it’s helping me feel alive - just to a different soundtrack. I’ve gone from Greta Van Fleet to Faye Wildhagen (I’m obsessed after Vinjerock).

We found a great campsite 3-minutes from the gravel road. We could hear the goats’ bells as we made tea. This took me an embarrassingly 30-minutes and call a friend, as I struggled to light the stove - who knew petrol had a sell-by date?

I love nature, but I also enjoy escaping into other worlds. Camping, even in -20°C, I bring my iPad, speaker, and a downloaded film. It’s such a treat!

As I watched Free Guy (who doesn’t like Ryan Reynolds? ;) ), I dipped my fruit and nut chocolate in hot tea, to the backdrop of the sun setting behind Hallingskarvet.

In the morning, we walked down the gravel road to my friend's farm cafe, Prestholtseter. In the glorious morning sunshine, I drank coffee and read my book.

Micro adventures in Norway may be short, local, simple, and cheap, but the experiences and memories are macro.

They’ve healed and empowered me, making sucky days and weeks feel special.

If things go wrong or I’m unhappy, I can always drive home and be in bed within an hour. Something I totally did last year with zero regrets.

Snakkes, Adelaide x