'Is that the boat? I'm sure we couldn't see the boat before!'  came a concerned voice from the passenger seat. 

Looking up I become slightly concerned,  'It's that Fluid Solo again,  its always that boat,  Joe,  its always Joe and his boat.  Maybe we should stop,  check it out!' 

'Maybe we should,  I'm sure we couldn't see that boat,  is that the Fluid?  Trust it to be Joe's boat.  Why is it always Joe?'

Feeling left out, Giles decides to dive head first into the growing hysteria in the car,  'I can't see the orange boat anymore, where is it? Isn't that one Joes boat? Why is it always Joes gear,  I cant see it, I'm sure I could see it,  maybe we shold stop and check it out? Can you still see it at the front?  I can't see it!!'

 It all started on a superb sunny Sunday in Evje, Norway.  Waxing the skis, I start to contemplate the time ahead,  3 years now at Voss Extreme Sports Week,  competing in the rafting and kayaking.  This year would be different,  a break from the norm, no exercise, just soak up the vibes.   2 pairs of skis waxed,  time to load up the boats.

 On their side,  ontop of each other,  there were many diferent variations to choose from,  no uprights but on their side they go, 4 boats on the roof.  Standing proudly, except an orange Fluid.  'Is that Joe's boat? '

We load up and head off,  with 4 boats, including Joe's boat.  ' So when is Joe heading up?'

'What?  I thought Joe was coming with us, where is Joe, we have his boat!'

'Joe's not coming to Voss,  we are just taking his boat!'

Satisfied that I had explained the situation to the best of my ability we stop to buy a mug each.  A themos mug to get free refills of coffee, or tea  in all the petrol stations the particular chain that the mugs were bought from.  Its turns out there was only one en route,  nice hot chocolate though!!

1.5 hours up the road, on a winding Norwegian hill top,  'Is that the boat? I'm sure we couldn't see the boat before.' 

After a few minute of discussion,  it became clear that the orange Fluid hanging inches from the wind screen was not part of the plan, and as far as I remembered not how we had strapped it on the roof rack. 

Finding a place to stop was a challenge in itself, when we finnaly did stop, we all let out a  sigh of relief as the Fluid hung gracefully in its secure position, hovering off one bar and casually floating above the windscreen. 

'The boats have come loose guys,  did you know?'  Came a voice from behind.  This highly reliable information came from one other car in our convoy,  it turns out they had noticed the boats slipping for several miles,  and had decided it was not important information to share with us. 

With levels of hysteria lower,  we set off again in search of some extreme sports.  We didn't get far!!

'I can't see the boat anymore,  can you see it in the front?  Where is Joe's boat?  I cant see it!! '

A few small adjustments to the roof rack later,  5 straps later we all curse Joe's boat and head off again.  'So why do we have Joe's boat?,  infact why do we have 4 boats when only 2 of us kayak?'

'Trump down back there and eat some sweets!!'

Again satisfied I had successfully managed the growing fear sweeping through the occupants of the car and the convoy we head on to the ski resort.

It wasn't far from Odda,  after eating a healthy chicken burger and drinking a healthy portion of a dark fizzy drink of some kind,  we hit the mountaing road up to Folkefonna.  Sleeping at a cabin that evening, we crack open some øl and chill under the stars,  with the company of birds singing,  mosquitoes, and a large troop of randomg skateboarders and BMX riders.

que stunt boat!!  One longboard, one kayak, some take and 2 straps later, we join in with some stunt kayaking.  A few beers later, we find a trampoline park,  where we played out the night.   

Still to come -  snow boating, whip lash, skiing,  kayak, rafting and extreme Voss.