October 9, 1944
Nilsen arrived back at the cabin on the morning of October 9th, along with Kjell and Haldor. He told us to get our things together as the time had come to leave "Little Canada". In some ways we hated to leave our mountain hideaway as we had become quite attached to our surroundings and our Norwegian helpers. However, we hurriedly tidied the place and then said our good-byes before leaving on the next stage of our adventure. Fortunately, for our trip back down the mountain we did not have backpacks to carry and we were travelling in daylight.
When we arrived back at the steep cliff which had given us so much trouble, we all couldn't believe that we had actually climbed up it some ten days before. Nilsen couldn't understand why some of us felt the climb down would be impossible without falling, however when we pointed out that it was pitch black on the upward trip and we couldn't see the perils involved he understood our apprehension. After several minutes of delay an alternate, longer, and somewhat less hazardous route down was decided upon. A couple of times, while we picked our way gently down the mountain side, I felt sure I was going to be the next R.C.A.F. casualty, but we finally made it to the bottom. We waited there until after sunset when, under the cover of darkness, we took the rowboat across the lake and made our way through the trees towards the farmhouse in Lønningdal.
When we reached a clearing about five hundred yards from our destination we noticed several vehicles around it and the Norwegians with us signalled that we should remain under cover in the trees. Apparently the area was being searched by the Germans. After about half an hour we watched the vehicles leave, and two of the Norwegians accompanying us then went up to the farmhouse to investigate. A short time later they signalled that the coast was clear and that we should enter the farmhouse. Two women and a man, in their mid forties who were the only occupants, said they were expecting us but they seemed to be extremely nervous. They made sure the blackouts were securely in place and motioned for us to speak softly. Apparently they had just been questioned at length by the Germans and now the reason for that questioning had made a sudden appearance. No wonder they felt ill at ease at our presence.
We were shown into a large dining room and seated around a circular table and served a delicious hot dinner of local fish and vegetables along with lots of bread and rolls. These items, although subject to rationing, could at times be obtained via the underground. After dinner Nilsen suggested that we had better get some sleep because in a few hours we would be on our way again. I was lucky in that I shared a real bed, with a straw mattress, and managed to put up with Neil's snoring for three hours of good sleep.
When we arrived back at the steep cliff which had given us so much trouble, we all couldn't believe that we had actually climbed up it some ten days before. Nilsen couldn't understand why some of us felt the climb down would be impossible without falling, however when we pointed out that it was pitch black on the upward trip and we couldn't see the perils involved he understood our apprehension. After several minutes of delay an alternate, longer, and somewhat less hazardous route down was decided upon. A couple of times, while we picked our way gently down the mountain side, I felt sure I was going to be the next R.C.A.F. casualty, but we finally made it to the bottom. We waited there until after sunset when, under the cover of darkness, we took the rowboat across the lake and made our way through the trees towards the farmhouse in Lønningdal.
When we reached a clearing about five hundred yards from our destination we noticed several vehicles around it and the Norwegians with us signalled that we should remain under cover in the trees. Apparently the area was being searched by the Germans. After about half an hour we watched the vehicles leave, and two of the Norwegians accompanying us then went up to the farmhouse to investigate. A short time later they signalled that the coast was clear and that we should enter the farmhouse. Two women and a man, in their mid forties who were the only occupants, said they were expecting us but they seemed to be extremely nervous. They made sure the blackouts were securely in place and motioned for us to speak softly. Apparently they had just been questioned at length by the Germans and now the reason for that questioning had made a sudden appearance. No wonder they felt ill at ease at our presence.
We were shown into a large dining room and seated around a circular table and served a delicious hot dinner of local fish and vegetables along with lots of bread and rolls. These items, although subject to rationing, could at times be obtained via the underground. After dinner Nilsen suggested that we had better get some sleep because in a few hours we would be on our way again. I was lucky in that I shared a real bed, with a straw mattress, and managed to put up with Neil's snoring for three hours of good sleep.
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Lake near Lønningdal
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"Little Canada" reached by a climb up the right side
Before retiring I glanced through a couple of Norwegian newspapers and noticed that several pictures of damaged buildings were on the front pages. After questioning, Kjell explained that one picture was of a Norwegian school bombed in the recent Canadian raid. Although there appeared to be a long list of casualties Kjell said that the figures could not really be believed, but there were some injuries including two of the grandchildren of the couple whose home we were in.