06-Apr-2007 -- Stavern boasts of being Norway's smallest town, "the dimple of Norway". And it is probably one of the most charming ones. Its old, small wooden houses, narrow streets and setting in an old, sheltered harbour off Skagerak, the sea between Sweden, Denmark and Norway make it a uniques place. It also has an average of 200 sunny days a year. Our day was one of these.

Admittedly only 8 centigrades in the air, but still enticing with lots of galleries open on the annual Easter exhibitions, and small museums and even a traditional boatyard where they were building a small wooden sailing-boat. Lots of people in the streets and at the jumble sales market. During the summer this is understandably one of the most favourite places for holiday in Norway. The town's population then swells three-fold.

The town is situated about two and a half hours' drive SSW of Oslo. Once you are in the town, the confluence point is just a couple of kilometers towards the NW. The easiest approach, however, was to enter from the other side, heading SE from from Haugene farm.

The GPS indicated a short 700 meters' hiking through a charming beech forest with the occasional oak and pine tree. The little forested, rocky hill was not deserted. Apart from the magpies and crows building this season's nests, I met two young girls horse riding. And one girl practicing her orienteering skills. She was somewhat surprised to find this old man pushing his way through the shrubs and climbing the rocks towards the top of the hill. She thought I had lost my way, but knew what I was talking about when I explained my mission. She had been there herself.

Reaching the rocky top, the view was marvellous. The confluence point was just south of the hill top. I took the usual photos, but regret that the photo southwards did not turn out better. But that is what happens when you have to face the sea and the sun and photographing is not your thing.

One odd thing though. The photo of the GPS shows that I had climbed to a height of 11.348 m. Well done, but not true. I cannot explain how I managed....