OUR TRIP TONORWAYIN JUNE 2012

 

I decided to write this after looking on the various forums for advice and experiences of travelling to Norway and not finding a lot.

 

We then had a Bailey Pageant caravan towed with an X-Trail and when we retired early decided we wanted to head north instead of south for a change, accepting that the weather would be cooler but hopefully still sunny.

 

Anyway planning, the visit Norway website (www.visitnorway.com) indicated that there where plenty of sites about, the CC camping Europe site book listed quite a few as well so only a route to be decided and where to head for and when. Research showed as well that there are numerous toll roads in Norway, the majority have no toll booths and you are either expected to pre-pay on the website (www.autopass.no ), in English with a credit card of find a garage afterwards to pay the toll. Basically you create an account and prepay a set amount for a set period, in our case 300NKr (about £30) and they deduct the tolls, 2 months after you get back they credit what's left, if you exceed the initial amount they take another 300 and so on, changed it slightly now but same in principal. Found the system works well, can be used on some ferry journies and when they billed me for a ferry crossing I didn't take they refunded it within an hour of my email!

 

Anyway we decided on June 2012, leaving Doveron Sunday 3rd June and due to arrive back in UK on Sunday 1st July, travelling by DFDS to Dunkerque and return the same way.  We decided to do as we normally do and not to book sites for when we were only staying for one night but to look at finding sites to book when we would be there for any period of time, especially having never been there before. Once the ferry was booked we decided on our itinerary.

 

We would head up through Holland, Germany, Denmark, spend a few days outside of Copenhagenat Absalom Camping, then head across 'The Bridge' to Swedenand then north to Norway. We would spend a week at the inland end of Sognefjord at Laerdal Camping, then head further north to Trondheim for 3 days, Flakk camping and head north towards the Artic circle, planning to stay just south at Yttervik Camping, Mo I Rana but have a day trip to the visitor centre before heading south again retracing our route back to the ferry. We had a plan! We booked at Absalom Camping, Laerdal Camping, just as well as it was full (the only one on the trip as it turned out) and Yttervik Camping, Flakk Camping atTrondheim didn't accept bookings.

 

Currency and what to take, what with Euro's, Danish, Swedish and Norwegain Kroner on the journey what to get and not to have any left of could be a challenge. Our research showed credit card use was widespread, especially in Norway and Denmark though Denmark businesses often charge a 3-4% premium for use, so we decided on Euro's, picking up Danish Kroner when inDenmarkout of the ATM, not bothering with Swedish Kroner and picking up Norwegian Kroner also from an ATM. We would use our credit cards where we could, debit cards as back up with cash. We would also use camping cheques where we could.

 

Anyway summer 2012 arrived, we decided to spend a few days inKentinstead of just passing through.

Wednesday 30 May

We had a good drive to Dover, this time we went through the Hindhead Tunnel, the first time we had been through it. We were staying at a farm CL at Whitfield just outside Dover, a very large field with some hard standing, and loads of electric points around the field. We set up and went out for a drive to Samphire Hoe but there was fog/mist coming off the sea over Dover and when we got there we couldn’t see anything so went on to the Battle of Britain War Memorial at Capel le Ferne, which was also in the mist but it was drifting around so we could at least see the memorial.

 

Thursday 31 May

After breakfast we left for Bodiam Castle. At Bodiam Castle it was quite breezy and cool but it did brighten up for a while and the sun came out a bit but it didn’t last. We walked up to the station but had just missed one of the steam trains on the Kent & East Sussex railway. We headed back to the site via Dungeness where we walked around for a bit and just missed another steam train on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway. It was really chilly there so we headed back and had a few drops of rain on the way back.

 

Friday 1 June

Left after breakfast for Sissinghurst Castle, it was a brighter start and warmer too as the wind had dropped. It continued warm and sunny at times but as the day went on it got cloudier. The flowers were lovely and there were loads of roses out. By evening the weather was horrible and there was thick mist everywhere.

 

Saturday 2 June

We woke up today to rain which wasn’t expected, so after breakfast we went to shopping to stock up. By lunch it had brightened up and stopped raining so we went to the White Cliffs Centre and went for a walk to the South Foreland lighthouse which was about 2 miles away. The tour of the lighthouse was very interesting, all about the history etc and what had happened at the lighthouse. By now it was nice and sunny and hot if you were out of the wind. After a lovely cup of tea and cake we walked back, and saw the Battle of Britain memorial flight fly over twice as well as the Red Arrows flying over from the air show at Folkestone. Back at the caravan the awning was now nice and dry, always a bonus, so we packed that away and got ready for our move tomorrow.

 

Sunday 3 June

Up at 5.30 to a wet, grey and misty day for an 8am ferry. We boarded after taking a while to get checked in and left a few minutes late. The ferry was really busy and we had to grab a seat quickly. All the way across it was foggy and when we arrived inFranceit was just the same. We eventually got off about 11.20 and then headed off for the site in theNetherlandsto meet up with Roger and Sharon, friends who were also touring. It was foggy and raining most of the way until aboutAntwerpwhen it started to clear a bit and stopped raining all the time. It was very flat everywhere and the fields were all planted with various crops, so not a lot to see really so id didn’t matter too much that the weather was so bad. We arrived at the site at Wezuperbrug (Camping ‘t Kuierpadtien, Camping Cheques accepted, charge for internet) at about 5.30 and set up. We spent the evening with our friends who were already inHolland. The site was very large and the pitches were a good size too. There were several lakes and loads of playground for kids, but we all thought it would be horrendous when it was busy. There were over 600 pitches.

 

Monday 4 June

We left at just before 11, after standing around talking for ages. We booked out of the site, paid the taxes which were €4.70 for the night. It was raining again by now and cold again. We headed for our next overnight stop near the Danish border, and had a good run with only a few hold ups aroundHamburg. There were lots of roadworks but it wasn’t too busy so we didn’t get help up too much luckily. Near Hamburg it started to get a bit brighter and we saw the sun for a little while, and the temperature got up to 14C at one point, but still cold. We arrived at the site at Flensburg, (Camping Mitte, camping cheques accepted, free internet) at about 6, this site was quite big too but not as tidy as the last one. Electricity was metered but an allowance was given as part of the CC fee. The sun came out for a while but it didn’t last for long and the black clouds came back.

 

Tuesday 5 June

It was a bit brighter this morning but still cold. There were a few showers but in between it was sunny. We packed up and just before we were ready to leave we had a chat with the Danish family in the next door caravan who were fromCopenhagen. They suggested a few places to visit. They also told us that fuel prices inDenmarkare cheaper in the morning than the afternoon or weekend. After checking out we left about 10.30 and headed off forCopenhagenfilling the car up inGermanyon the way out. It was cloudy and sunny most of the day and was about 12C in the morning and it didn’t rain too much for a change. It was a good run today and the roads were not very busy apart from aroundCopenhagenwhere it was a bit busier. The drive over theStorebaeltBridgefrom the first island towardsCopenhagenwas expensive, at 350 DKr. We arrived at the site about 3 pm (Camping Absalom, Camping Cheques accepted low season (not June), charge for internet, surcharge for credit card but not debit, Electricity is metered and charged after initial daily free allowance, although showers, hot water and cooking facilities are free to use. Fresh bread at reception every day). The weather had changed by now and was quite sunny and the sky was a lot clearer but it was still chilly, although the wind had dropped too.

 

Wednesday 6 June

We woke up to a clear blue sky to start with today. After breakfast we  bought tickets for the train at reception, 190DKr for 10 trips, and we’ll get a refund for the ones that we don’t use, this is much cheaper than buying individual tickets at 36 DKr each and each way. It was a lovely sunny day with just a few clouds. On the way out we noticed that fuel had dropped to 10.24 DKr from 11.34 DKr yesterday pm.

We caught the train into the city which took about 20 minutes and got off at Osterport. We walked up to the little Mermaid (which was still much smaller than my wife had expected and I had told her that it was small). It was very busy as there were loads of coaches there. We saw that there were two cruise ships in. We went on to see the Gefian fountain, then walked along the quay side past the Opera House, saw that a sand castle building competition was across the water, and then went on to the Amalienborg Slot (the Palace), saw the fountains and waited for the changing of the guard at 12 which was quite good but took ages and not up to London changing of the guard standard. The guards and the police were very strict about where you could stand or sit, and we were told off for sitting on the steps outside of the Palaces by one of the guards! We walked along one of the canals, Nyhavn, and saw lots of colourful buildings. We eventually found somewhere to have lunch and had a pizza at a kiosk in a little square. Meals seem quite expensive and drinks are too, our can of Fanta was £3, although the pizza slices weren’t too bad, and very tasty. We walked around more, saw lots of nice buildings - Borsen Five (the old Stock Exchange) with dragon tails forming the tower,Christiansborg Slot,NyCarlsberg Glyptotek. Further on we went pastTivoliand then to the Radhus in Radhus Pladsen which was a lovely building. We saw the statue of Hans Christian Anderson. We decided to head back to the Little Mermaid and got some more photos as there were very few people there now. We saw that there were now three cruise ships in, one leaving and one about to. It had clouded over and cooled down by now and we caught the train back. We saw that fuel had gone back up to 11.18 DKr (it was 10.24 DKr this morning). We noticed that there were a few other Brits on the site.

 

Thursday 7 June

Rained all night but stopped when we got up. After breakfast left for drive out of the DK Denmark book, quite warm by now but cloudy. Filled up with fuel, only 9.99DKr today. Drove to Fredensborg Slot, a royal palace though not open at that time of the year. Carried on around the drive, stopped at Ersum, Ramlose and Frederiksvaerk, not much to see at any. Warmer now and brighter. Did some shopping at Lidl (they took credit cards) then back to site before going intoCopenhagenon train. Nice and sunny and warm, 17C. Got off inCopenhagen, walked up to the Little Mermaid to see it in the evening via other viewpoints. Strange to see them Jet skiing on the canal! Weather was good, cooled down later.

 

Friday 8 June

Got a refund back on train tickets not used at the site office. Warmer today, just after breakfast we were about to get the awning down when it rained, but not for long and it dried off so we got it down. Met another English person on pitch opposite who had arrived yesterday. Fuel was 11.46 DKr at11 amtoday. We headed off to Frederiksborg Slot and had lunch when we got there, by the time we had walked up to the Palace it had just started to rain. We managed to get a few photos before it came on harder so decided to go round the museum first then do the gardens afterwards if it stopped raining. It was 750 DKr each but worth it. There were some beautiful ceilings in some of the rooms, especially the Great Hall. We were in there for about three hours and when we came out we found out that we could have had a free audio guide. It was still raining hard when we came out so we didn’t get up to the gardens. It would be well worth coming back again to do them. We drove back in the rain and hit a huge traffic jam coming intoCopenhagen. Back at the site we popped into Aldi but were not impressed as they didn’t have a great selection, nowhere near as good as the Lidl we went into the day before. We topped the car up with fuel which had come down to 11.15 DKr now, cheaper than this morning. It had brightened up by now and we had dinner sat outside. The English couple from the next caravan came across for a chat and just then it started to thunder and rain hard. We packed up ready for tomorrow's move.

 

Saturday 9 June

Up early today to a much better day than yesterday as it was sunny again with a blue sky. After breakfast we left at 8, paid and set off forSweden. Fuel was still 11.15 DKr the same as last night so it doesn’t come down in price at the weekend. We drove over theOresundBridge(“The Bridge”) which was expensive at 620 DKr (but much cheaper than using the ferry we found out later on). Disappointing that there no where obvious to get a picture of it as well. Sweden at this end is very like Denmark as it is flat, but larger. It was very green and mostly farming in this area. We were very close to the sea at times and at sea level for a long way. As we got further north it was a bit hillier and less farming areas, and it was more forested. We saw a couple of deer in fields and there were loads of lupins out along the side of the motorway, all different colours and very pretty. Around Gothenborg it was quite busy and the temperature was up to 18C after lunch. There were lots of piles of wood chopped down at the sides of the road, and in places the motorway had been cut through the rock. There were wind turbines in lots of places on the hills. It clouded over later and by the time we got to the site at Stromstad, Laguna Camping (Camping Cheques accepted, deposit required for toilet block key, free internet, showers charged as it appears is the norm in Scandinavia, though electricity not metered) it had started to rain a bit. It’s a pretty area, just a shame it wasn’t a bit sunnier, although the sun did come out later on. It was still light at 10.30, just beginning to start turning, so not too sure what time it actually got dark. Tomorrow it’ll be even later as we’ll be another 300 miles further north.

 

Sunday 10 June

Woke up early again to find it was raining hard, and it had rained during the night too. After breakfast we packed up, in the rain and just as we left at 8 it eased off. The site was waterlogged in places. We headed off forNorway, put some fuel in the car while we were still inSweden, and were soon past the border (toll bridge, auto pass works though). NearOslowe went through lots of tunnels on the E6 motorway, several over 3km long. We saw that fuel was anything from 13.50 NKr down to 12.60 NKr. We filled up inOsloat 12.89 NKr (these were all cheaper than we had expected). AroundOsloare several toll road section enforced by camera only. UnderOslowe went through a tunnel that was nearly 6 kms long, which had junctions going off in the tunnel. It got a bit fraught as the Sat Nav lost reception and we weren't sure which road we were going on but we were OK as the turning was after the tunnel.  On the E7 it got much brighter and the sun was out, and the temperature went up. The scenery was beautiful and we followed lakes and rivers in between the mountains. There was a bit of snow on the mountains but as drove further north there was more and more snow on them. The temperature went up to 18C. On the E52 we climbed up to 1450 feet. In one place the road had collapsed on one side. Another pass climbed up to over 3500 feet (Hemsedalsfjellet) and there was snow down to ground level. There were loads of waterfalls coming down the mountains. We stopped at one lake which was still frozen where it was really warm. Coming down the other side it was very steep with sharp bends, but not a problem and the road is used by HGV's as well. There were more tunnels through the mountains. The river was high with the snow melt. We arrived at the site Laerdal Camping (Camping Cheques accepted, free internet, unmetered electricity but showers charged for) and it was 20C and sunny. The site is at the waters edge of the Fjord, next to one of the numerous ferries which cross the fjord. Walked down to the fjord after11pmand got some lovely photos, it was still light. When we went to bed at11.30pmit was only just beginning to get a bit darker.

 

Monday 11 June

We both woke up several times in the night and it didn’t seem to be dark. When we got up at 7 there was a lovely clear blue sky and sunny. Afterwards we walked into town and had a look in the supermarket. Although we knew it was expensive inNorwaywe were very surprised at how expensive it all was – beers 27-30 Kr (500ml can each), lettuce 18Kr, tomatoes 36Kr/kg, sliced bread 20Kr.  We drove up to waterfall at edge of town, and went to the tourist info office (when we finally found it). We filled up with fuel (13.70 DKr) at the local garage. After lunch we drove toBorgundStaveChurchvia the historic E16 road, which was very pretty with lots of waterfalls from the snow melt, some were really big. It was sunny and hot by now and went up to 20C. We drove on across the E52 pass that we did yesterday, but it was cloudier now and we had a bit of rain, it cooled down to 14C. We drove on to Hemsedal then turned back as it was quite cool. There were loads of sheep in the fields. We headed back to site, where it was warmer and up to 20C but not very sunny though.

 

Tuesday 12 June

Sunny but bit cloudy too, quite warm. Left for Flam via longest road tunnel in world (24.5km), followed by another about 7km long, no lights no emergency exits. Arrived in time to catch train at 9.35. Free parking which was a surprise. Cruise ship – Costa Luminosa in port. Train cost 360 Kr each (return ticket). Had clouded over more by now and cooler. Sat on the left side of the train, views going up were on right side first, then left side. Stopped at the Klosfossen waterfall for 10 mins, got out of train, and got drenched by spray from the falls, next to the railway, very dramatic, shame the weather wasn’t brighter. At the top we stayed on the train and came back down, sat on other side and got some photos through open windows. Rained on the way back. Waterfalls everywhere again from the snow melt. Train ride was ok and views were good but very difficult to get good photos, too many tunnels on the railway.

Got back down and after lunch then decided to do the fjord cruise as it had brightened up again. Got the one at 1.30, with a coach load of Japanese. Cruise was very good (335 Kr each) and views lovely. Sat at back first then moved up to the front. Weather clouded over again and got quite chilly. At one of the waterfalls that came right down to the water the captain nearly took us into it. Got off at Gudvangen, end of cruise, and waited about 30 mins for bus to take us back, it was late and we thought it wasn’t coming. Filled up at Aurland, 13.59 Kr. Back at Flam we drove back to Laerdal via the “snow road” from Aurland rather than through the tunnel. Stopped at one view point and watched the cruise ship leave, then on to the Stegastein viewpoint. Carried on over the road, there was loads of snow higher up, with huge drifts up to 10 feet or deeper. It rained a bit but stopped then brightened up a bit, would have been lovely if nice and sunny. Very picturesque with so much snow, worth doing again on a better day. At the top (over 4300 feet) it was only 4C, very cold. On the way down loads of huge waterfalls, river a raging white torrent, snow down to about 3000 feet. Back at site it was 15C but still cloudy.

 

Wednesday 13 June

Up about 7 today to a grey cloudy day with lots of low cloud over the mountains by the fjord and behind the site. Spent the morning around the site. It rained off and on during the morning. After lunch we went out even though it was still raining. We drove along the fjord, through a 6.6 km long tunnel and some shorter ones to Ardal where we took the E302, a toll road over the mountains (so we found out) to Turtago. We didn’t know how much the toll would be or where it was payable but we decided to risk it and it said the toll was only payable by credit card. It was a narrow twisty road, with 15 hairpin bends near the start one after another. We drove for miles and saw a few houses and farms along the way. As we climbed higher there were very few houses and soon we were in the snow at 2500 feet up, and at times were nearly in the clouds. There was loads of snow everywhere and drifts by the side of the road over 10 feet or more, but again the roads were clear. At 3500 feet the temp was 5C and at the top of the pass it was 3C at 4200 feet. The toll station was at the top and there was a German camper van ahead of us and they were having problems paying as the machine didn’t appear to be working on our side. Anyway they got out of the way and we tried but it didn’t work, so we rang the emergency phone and eventually they let us through without paying, the toll was 70 NKr but it saved at least a 70 mile detour. We headed on down the other side, through loads more snow. It was still raining off and on but the scenery was stunning. Yet again we saw huge waterfalls everywhere. We headed for the Urnes Stave church, driving along the side of another fjord for about 30 miles. We then headed back and stopped at a couple of waterfalls, the Feigumfossen, which was a long way up a steep hill. It was just starting to rain as we left but we went anyway, the walk up was very difficult and it took 30 mins or so to get there, quite treacherous in places especially as it was wet. All the way up there were waterfalls as the water came down in a raging torrent. Eventually at the top we saw the waterfall, a 218m high fall. By now it was raining harder and the walk down was even more treacherous as it was now very slippery. I slipped up once on the way down and by the time we got to the bottom we were soaked. We headed back; the same was as we came as it was the quickest option. By now it was raining quite hard and over the pass we were in the clouds most of the time which wasn’t much fun on a narrow road with passing places. It was 2C at the top. Eventually got down and headed back to the site still in the rain ands we arrived back at 8.45. It was still raining when we went to bed. Hope tomorrow is better!

 

Thursday 14 June

After a night of heavy rain at times looked a bit brighter out so decided to get on up and get ready to go out, but before long the cloud was down in the valley and on the mountains. After breakfast we headed off for Flam and decided to risk going over the snow road despite it being cloudy. Going over the pass it was raining a bit off and on but mostly it was clear enough to see. The temperature went down to 2C at the top and it was cold (so cold that I nearly had to change into my jeans). Going down the other side we were in the clouds for a bit. There wasn’t a lot of traffic but we did see two English motorbikes. We also saw two cyclists at the bottom just starting to cycle up. The waterfalls were even better today and we saw some really big ones. Lots of sheep around as usual with lambs. At Flam we headed for Gudvangen through one tunnel 5 kms long then turned off to Undredal, a pretty little village on the fjord. We had a coffee and a hot chocolate at the café there (45 Kr each), little cups and not all that hot, the chocolate was a sachet with hot water in a jug! One of the little fjord cruise boats came in while we were there. We started to walk up to the church but saw it was in scaffold and covered up. This village didn’t have a road to it until 1988, and it has 5 times more goats than people, they make their living making their famous goat cheese. It was quite a steep drive down to the village. Then we went on to Gudvangen through a tunnel 11 kms long. By now it was quite sunny and warm which made everything look so much brighter. At Gudvanger we had a walk around, bought a few presents, took loads more photos and filled the car up (13.56 Kr/l), I’m sure it was 12.99 the other day. After that we drove back to Flam and stopped there for a while. There wasn’t a cruise ship in today and it was very quiet, and we just missed the train leaving. Then it was back over the snow road, stopping at the two view points to get some more photos, the fjord looked totally different in the sun. Driving back over the road it was clear and sunny in places, down to 3C and it looked like quite a lot more snow had thawed since the morning as there seemed to be a lot more water about. We saw the two cyclists that we had seen in the morning coming down over the road on the Flam side. Back at the site it was 11C and sunny. The site had filled up again today. By now it had cooled down a lot and was quite chilly.

 

Friday 15 June

This morning we got up about 8 and it was fairly bright and a bit warmer. We walked down to the fjord and saw a duck with seven tiny ducklings swimming around. We walked to the Wild Salmon Centre in town and did the tour around it which was interesting. By now it was nice and sunny and warm. After we did some shopping and were horrified again at the prices (£1.50/l milk, £10/kg cheese, £2-£3 for bread, £2 lettuce) so we only got what we needed urgently. As it was so sunny we decided to go over the snow road again and it was stunning in the sun. Even more snow had thawed now and there was a lot of water around, and in one or two places the drifts had started to collapse onto the road. We drove on to Aurland, stopping at the viewpoints again, although it was a bit hazy. We came back through the road tunnel and got back about 5, paid for the site, packed up the awning and got ready to move tomorrow.

It was very noisy this evening as we were surrounded by Norwegians who were sat outside talking loudly. There’s a market on here over this weekend which is why it is so busy and just as well we had booked. It clouded over after tea and looked like rain (which is forecast for the next few days).

 

Saturday 16 June

It had been very windy overnight and we woke up to rain which stopped for a little while just as we were about to leave the site. When we left at 8.50 it was 10C and chilly. It rained most of the way and was cold too. Alongside the E16 there was a river which was a raging torrent tumbling over the rocks. It was quite a steep and twisty road, but there was a new road and tunnel being built alongside which would make it a lot better. It wasn’t a nice road to drive as it was very rough in places. We were in the snow and nearly in the cloud at 3000 feet and it was 3C. We went past several big lakes and there were houses about, a lot of which had turf roofs. There were also several with outside lights left on even though they seemed empty. At over 3250 feet the rain had sleet in and it was down to 1C. We went past several ski centres and there were lots of houses around them. We saw diesel at 13.75 DKr on the pass. Further on the road had been widened but not finished off and there were lots of bumps with no warnings, shook a few things loose in the van. It was raining quite hard by now all the time. We saw a huge waterfall coming down the hillside at Oye, and another stave church. It would have been very pretty through the mountains if we could have seen the view. There were some large waterfalls in the river. We went past one lake that was over 31kms long on the road to Fagernes where we turned off on to the 51.We stopped just after Beitstolen (another large ski centre) and had lunch, it was still raining and 2C. Most of the houses there had turf roofs. There was fresh snow on the ground and cars in places. We got up to 4500 feet and there was snow everywhere, we couldn’t see any rocks or ground at all, and we were in the cloud too so everything was white. Not a very pleasant drive at all and the road was really bumpy, definitely not one to use again, probably the worst road we have taken the caravan on. We saw quite a few caravan sites on the way near the lakes and the parks. As we headed down a steep hill to join the 15 the rain was much lighter. We filled up at a garage just before Otta and only paid 12.69Nkr/l. It was brighter now and had warmed up to 11C and once we were on the E6 the sun came out for a short time. After Dombas we climbed again to over 3000 feet and there was a little bit of snow around. On the way to Grimsbu on the 29 we saw two cranes in a field and another flying. We arrived at the site at about 4.30 and it was dry for a while but rained off and on. The site, Grimsbu Tourist Centre, (camping cheques accepted, unmetered electricity, tokens (provided free) for shower) was not very level but OK for 1 night. There was very little here apart from the site and a motel, but handy for walking in the hills.

 

Sunday 17 June

Fathers Day today! It was brighter this morning and clearer, although we did have a bit of rain. We left at10am, 9C, and drove back to the E6. This morning we could see the mountains in the distance with snow on them. There were lots of farms in the valley with mainly sheep on, and we saw the two cranes in the field again. Here the trees were only just coming into leaf. As always there were huge piles of trees and chopped logs everywhere. Once on the E6 we followed the river down through the valley and the railway line. It was downhill all the way toTrondheim. The valley was very green and we saw lots of campsites off the E6, good for when we come back in a week’s time. At a town called Oppdal which was a big town where two roads joined we saw notices about Moose and Musk ox safaris that run from mid June. If we came back here that would be good to do. We stopped for a cup of coffee and biscuits. In Oppdal there were three garages (diesel was 12.85 NKr) and a large supermarket. We had a bit of rain but it was still about 10C. There were fields of dandelions as well as along the roadside which gave a bit of colour and a feature of the country. After we had stopped for lunch we had more rain which became heavier the nearer we got toTrondheim. The diesel was dearer here at 13.25 NKr. When we turned off the E6 to Flaak we went through one toll (10 NKr we think). It was a nice drive here on the E6. The road to Flaak was good and there were lots of farms along the way. As we arrived we missed the turning which was very close to the ferry and ended up going though the automatic toll for the ferry which would have cost us over 200 NKr had they not refunded it within an hour of me querying it. The signs were not very clear and it didn’t say anything about it on the camp site info. Flakk Camping, (credit cards accepted no surcharge, unmetered electricity but unmarked pitches and not very level in places, no internet connection, free to use cooking facilities)We booked in, a young lad was on the reception and was quite abrupt. By now it had stopped raining and was sunny and quite warm. We set up, had a walk around and saw the ferry come in and go out. The site is next to the water and the views over the fjord are lovely. After tea we walked back round to the ferry, saw quite a few birds on the water and decided to come back later when the tide is in. Apart from a few showers it was a lovely evening. We went back out at just after 10 and the sun was still high in the sky, and at 11 it was still above the mountains.

 

Monday 18 June

Woke up about 6.30 again, that’s the trouble with it being so light in the mornings. One of us had woke up at 3.30 and the sun was up! It was a grey cloudy start, and we couldn’t see the islands across the water at first. After breakfast we drove intoTrondheimand parked in a car park rather than on the street as it was only 23 NKr/hr rather than 24 NKr/hr on the street which had had a limit of 5 hours and seemed to get more expensive the longer you parked. We went to the Tourist Info and picked up some leaflets and had a walk around. We went to the cathedral and then down to the old part of town over a pretty bridge. By now it had started to rain a bit and was quite chilly (wished I’d worn jeans!). There were some old houses around and some of the streets were quite narrow. After lunch it started to brighten up and was sunny and warm. We had a coffee and an ice-cream in McDs and used there wifi, not too expensive as things go. We walked back round some of the places we had been to in the morning and then headed off to the Botanical Gardens at Ringve in the car. It was lovely by now and really clear across the water and we walked round the gardens which were pretty. There were lots of birds around too. By the time we left it had started to cloud over again. On the way back we stopped at a shopping centre and found a large Coop supermarket so did some shopping. Shopping here is quite an experience as it’s all so expensive although we did get a few things that were on sale. We bought two loaves of unsliced bread that were only 8.90 Nkr and 5.90 Nkr, much cheaper than the sliced ones at well over 23 Nkr. ( Iceberg 9.54, tomatoes 22.14/kg, apples 11.34/kg) Milk and yogurts were expensive again though – milk 24/1.75l, yogurts 18.70/4, crisps 39/pack of 6! We spent about £20 and didn’t get a huge amount really but we’re stocked up for the rest of our time here now. While we were there we filled up the car again (13.37/l). There were a lot more vans on the site and more came in during the evening so it was quite full. As we got back it started to rain and carried on off and on during the evening and after about 9 it didn’t stop.

 

Tuesday 19 June

We woke up to rain again and it had rained all night so the site was flooded in places this morning. Vans started to leave and by about 10 it was quite empty again. After breakfast as it was still raining, cold and windy we stayed in the caravan and we caught up with bits and pieces ready for our move tomorrow. By lunch time it was still raining. It did stop raining once or twice and we were hoping it would stop long enough to get the awning down, as it was really windy it would soon dry. It stopped raining so we went out for about an hour for a drive along the fjord back towards the E6 which was pretty and the sun came out. When we got back it was still dry so we were able to get the awning down and it was dry! We started packing up and had tea. There were more caravans and motor homes arriving again. Even though it had brightened up it was still really windy and cold, just as well I had changed into jeans earlier. (We were going to drive out around the fjord today but decided not to because of the tolls, we would have gone through three and it would have cost 50 NKr each way). It was still sunny when we went to bed.

 

Wednesday 20 June

As we were awake early (at 5.30 and the sun was high in the sky already) we got up and were ready to leave at 7. I had woken at 3.20 and looked out and saw the sun had risen! It was nice and sunny this morning but still quite windy.

The site is probably not one that I would recommend as the pitches are not marked and people just pitch where they feel like without a lot of thought for other campers, also it is very uneven with only a few level places. Not sure about others in the area though. We drove round the outskirts ofTrondheimon the E6, past a big out of town shopping area. We went through two tolls (32 and 15 DKr) and through several tunnels, the longest of which was 3.91Km. As we drove past the airport the road goes underneath the runway. It was a scenic drive past the fjords and we followed the railway (all single tracks) all the way, but haven’t seen a train on it at all. We went past lots of big farms. The fields were all very green. Diesel was around 13.19 to 13.30 in most places, but at Sparbu and Steinkjer it was 13.09. Most of the morning it was dry but we had a little bit of rain. One of the lakes we drove past was nearly 50 kms long. We saw several fields of strawberry plants, and snow on the mountain tops. Past the lake there was low cloud and snow on the mountains not much higher than we were (at less than 600 feet up). Again there were lots of waterfalls coming down the mountains. The trees were mainly fir trees. After a town called Grong the river became really wide and there were lots of fishing places. Diesel north of Grong was 12.99. There were several lots of roadworks. We stopped for lunch at the point where we went into Nord Norge from Trondelag where there was a visitor centre. It was 8C and the sun came out for a while. The road from here was quite good but very twisty all the way. There was quite a lot of snow on the mountains just above our level (1000 feet), and when we got to 1200 feet there was snow on the ground. As we headed north there were lots of lakes and it was raining too, quite hard at times. At the junction with the 76 there were major roadworks on the E6 for a while and the road was terribly rough for a while. We saw that the trees were much smaller here and the tree line was much lower. By now it was raining heavily but still 9C. There was a diversion off the main E6 for miles over a side road (which actually was much better than the main one in places). We assumed they were working in the tunnels. We drove up to 1700 feet and there were frozen lakes and lots of snow. There were sheep on the road too. Diesel at Korgan was 13.01Kr.

By now it was raining constantly and by the time we arrived at the site at3pmit was cold, wet and miserable. Yttervik Camping, Mo I Rana, (credit card with surcharge, unmetered electricity, free internet, charge for showers (10kr/5 mins)) we booked in (but have decided that we may leave early if the weather doesn’t improve) and picked a pitch. The site was really disappointing as it was tiny and the pitches really small. The site was on the edge of the fjord but as the weather was so bad we couldn’t see what was on the other side. We didn’t put the awning up as it was too wet and windy, and after tea we decided to move the caravan to the next pitch and turn it around the other way so that when we did put the awning up it would be protected a bit from the wind coming off the water. We put the awning up then. Lucky we moved when we did as it got quite full later on and we would have been stuck where we were. The pitches are not all the same size and some are really small. Yet again I probably wouldn’t recommend this one, getting in to the site was hard as it was over a narrow bridge with tight turns either end. We did find a big site nearer the town later on but didn't move. It had stopped raining by tea time and did brighten up a bit and at least we could see the mountains across the water. There were lots of birds on the water – gulls, waders, oyster catchers etc. Apparently the weather is set to improve starting tomorrow so maybe we’ll stay till Sunday after all.

 

Thursday 21 June

Midsummer’s day!

It was very noisy from the road overnight and the wind. I woke about 6 and it was blue sky and sunny so I thought we might get a nice day but by the time we had got up and had breakfast it had clouded over and  was soon raining again and looked set in for the day, so no midnight sun again today. There was a rainbow over the fjord at one point. Jeans day today! Afterwards we went out for a drive as it had stopped raining by then. We drove into Mo i Rana and saw that as a tourist you could get a free parking card, so we picked one up at the Tourist Info. As we were driving in we saw fuel at 12.93 Kr so filled up, but between pulling in and actually starting to fill up the price went up to 13.31 Kr! We walked around the old part of the town and saw daffodils and tulips out, on midsummer’s day, very strange. Mo i Rana is a fairly big town with 25000 people. In the harbour we saw a statue of a man in the water, We drove up to Svartisnet to see if we could see the glacier but you have to go on a boat then a 45 minute hike to get to it, and as the boats had finished for the day by then we left and drove up to Melfjorden. At about 1000 feet there was snow on the ground. We saw lots of cabins amongst the trees. On the way to Melfjorden we saw huge waterfalls and lots of snow. The views were lovely but unfortunately both there and back it rained. We climbed to1400 feet and there was more and more snow on bare rock in lots of places. There were frozen lakes, and a few scrubby trees on the south facing slopes. At the fjord it was only 5C and rained off an on. We drove back over the pass and managed to get a few more photos. It would be a lovely drive to do when it was dry and clear. Back at the site it was raining again and was cloudy all evening so we didn’t get to see the midnight sun. In fact I don’t think you would see it as it would go down behind the mountains for a while.

 

Friday 22 June

We were awake at 6 and it was nice and sunny with a clear blue sky, but it soon clouded over. The water in the fjord was very still this morning and there were nice reflections of the mountains. After breakfast it had brightened up again and as we left it was 9C. As it looked a nice day my wife decided to risk wearing crops again, but took her jeans just in case! We headed off for theArctic Circleand it was cloudy on the way, but just before we arrived it cleared up and the sky was blue and the sun was out, which was great. There was lots of snow and waterfalls on the way up; the snow was from about 1700 feet. At 2000 feet there were no trees. At10 amit was 6C and we were 2160 feet up. There wasn’t very much growing there, the few plants that were there were just beginning to bud with a few shoots and catkins. The snow was thawing and there was a lot of water around and flowing under the snow. It was sunny but cold. We spent about two hours at the visitor centre walking around, taking photos and buying souvenirs. We had a coffee each (25 Kr each) and a lovely ice cream between us (38 Kr). We headed on further into theArctic Circleand stopped in a picnic place for lunch. We sat outside even though it was rather chilly and windy and had our picnic in the sun. What more could you ask for? We headed further north stopping at loads of places for photos of the rushing torrent of a river with loads of waterfalls. At about 2000 feet there was a bit of grass at the sides of the road and as we got lower down there was more and more trees which were much further on. The river was very fast and crashing over the rocks. At below 900 feet the trees were all green and there were lots of them. It was still lovely and sunny and the sky was clear. In the valley there were lots of farms. We stopped at another visitor centre and picked up some leaflets and then drove along a narrow road to Evenesdal thinking that we could see a bit of the Junkerdal National Park  but it was a dead end and you would have to walk miles to see any of it and we weren’t dressed for that. We headed back to the Arctic Circle Centre and had our tea sat outside in the sun, by now the wind had dropped and it was quite warm, at6pmit was 10C. On the way we saw lots of signs for moose and reindeer but yet again we didn’t see any. We took some more photos, had another ice cream and decided at7pmthat it would be pointless staying tillmidnightas we wouldn’t see the sun as it would go down behind the mountains, so drove back to the site. There were loads of units, caravans and motor homes preparing to spend the night on the car park though. It was sunny and clear all the way back and at the site too. The temperature was 15C at 8.45. The site was nearly full tonight with only three empty pitches. We took pictures of the sun at 9, 10 and 11 pm to see how it went down, and at 11.15 when it went down behind the mountain, but it didn’t get any darker, it was still daylight. I took another atmidnightand as much as I would have liked to taken one at 1, I didn’t feel like staying up.

 

Saturday 23 June

We were up at 7 today and there was a lovely clear blue sky. It was warm and the first morning that we didn’t need the heating on in the caravan. The reflections in the water were beautiful today. As we left the site it was 15C. We filled up with fuel at 12.77 Kr just out of Mo on the 12. We did the scenic drive to Tonnes on the 12 and 17 and the views over the islands were lovely. We had lunch outside at a picnic site next to the fjord and by then it was 19C and hot.  We had a paddle in the water at Tonnes and it wasn’t too cold, by then it was 22C. Back at the site (after what was supposed to be a short drive but turned out to be well over 100 miles) it had clouded over but was still 20C. The site was busy again with about 6 spaces. After tea we watched the bonfire being lit for St Hans night (celebration for midsummer’s day) on the jetty, was one of many that we saw being built over last few days and you could see the smoke from them dotted around the fjord. It was a bit of a let down really as nothing else happened. It’s supposed to be a festive evening. There were several motorbikes on the site tonight including three fromRussia. It brightened up later and was warm again. We packed up ready for the move tomorrow, paid for the 4 night’s site fee using up some of the cash that we have left. We decided that if we came back to this area that it would be better to stay in Mo I Rana itself as it is quite central to lots of places and would save keep driving the 16kms into the town. There are lots of different things to do here –Arctic Circle, fjords, mountains, islands and walking. The only downside is the distance to get here and the unpredictable weather so not sure about coming back.

 

Sunday 24 June

We were up at 6.30 today to a cloudy start but the sun came out and it was dry. When we left at 7.45 it was 15C and it was much better weather than we arrived on Wednesday. We had to do the diversion again at Korgen over the mountains where the tunnel was closed and this time we could see the view. There were sheep on the road again and we were up in the snow. We stopped at the top and took photos. We saw a red bus, Rotel Tours, coach at the front and bunks at the back, we had seen similar on a trip to theUSA. (We looked it up later and it’s a combination of a bus and a hotel. They have them al over the world and do tours in lots of places.) The views were beautiful. Back on the E6 we saw some stunning reflections of the snow capped mountains in the water. The road is a very twisty road, and my driving instructor would say “you have to drive it!”. We saw lots of motor homes as usual and they are probably better for here for touring around. We stopped for a coffee at 10 and it was 17C and still sunny. At Majavatn it was 18C at 1000 feet. There were snowy mountains all the way which were very scenic. When we got to lunch time there was a lack of picnic places but eventually we found one off the road and sat out in the sun having our picnic. It was 20C by then, but afterwards it clouded over and at2pmwe had heavy rain near Kvam. We filled up at Steinkjer at 13.09 Kr/l. Back down by the fjord it was sunny again and very pretty. Around Trondheimfjord it was busy, especially in the other direction. We saw a group of cranes (birds) in a field on the way. We had to pay 4 tolls going roundTrondheim(62 Kr in total). Diesel was 12.99 Kr/l on the motorway. AfterTrondheimwe had a bit of rain for a while but it was still 20C. On the way down to Oppdal we had showers off and on and when we arrived at the site (Solly Camping, unmetered electricity, free internet and showers but small site) it was raining and chilly. We booked in (only 150Kr including electricity and free showers). The site was really small and there were not many free pitches, in fact it was quite hard to see where they were as there were on markings. We managed to get the van level, quite difficult as it was really uneven. We had a chat with an Australian farmer who is over here walking; all he had was a small tent. He had been here for 5 weeks travelling around by foot and public transport climbing mountains and I wasn’t sure how long he was staying for. Anyway it was nice to have a chat with someone who spoke English. It brightened up later on and was warm and was talking to her about the grass roofs that we have seen a lot of, and which they had on their house. It’s quite a tradition in this area and lots of people have them. She told me about all the layers to the roof – grass, plastic, a membrane that has to be heated, and then the rafters which have to be strengthened to take the weight. They have to cut the grass and her husband uses a small sit on mower on the roof, I’d like to see that! She was very friendly. We had a slightly earlier night tonight but it was still light all night but not as light as at Mo as we are further south.

 

Monday 25 June

Up about 6.30 again ready to move on toSweden. The free shower in the ladies was rubbish, no power to it and the water wasn’t very hot, in fact it was worse than the one in the caravan. It had rained in the night and it was cloudy and chilly to start with but dry! We left at 8.10 and it was 10C. We filled up in Oppdal at 12.85 Kr/l using more of the cash that we have left. There was cloud over the tops of the mountains. Along the valley which was very green there were lots of farms and caravan sites by the river. There were lots of waterfalls coming down the mountains and in the river. We followed the river and the railway again. As we climbed out of the valley there were waterfalls as the river tumbled over the rocks. At Kongsvold it was 9C at 2900 feet and as we drove across the Dovrefjell plateau (which was like a moor) it was very bleak at over 3250 feet. Near Hjerkinn at the junction with the 29 I saw what I thought was some horses moving about to the right but realised they were Musk Ox. Managed to stop and got some good video and photos of them. By then there were five other cars that had stopped. This was the first wildlife that we had seen; all we need to see now are some Moose! It was very different to theArctic Circle(at just over 2000 feet) where there were no trees and lots of snow, here at 3000 feet there were lots of trees and very little snow. At Dombas there was a nice church and diesel was only 12.54 Kr/l but as we had only filled up a short while ago we couldn’t fill up again. We descended down to Otta quite quickly to 1500 feet. There were farms all the way with quite big fields. The sun kept trying to break through and at10 amit was 12C. We carried on going down and the river was a torrent rushing over the rocks. There were fields up the steep sides of the valley and lots of sheep and cows. At Otta, where two rivers meet, it was 14C at 1000 feet. Up and down the valley there were lovely views. There were several lots of roadworks and in one a big section was being resurfaced. Heading towardsLillehammerit was really scenic along the valley by the river with lovely views both ways, but nowhere to stop and take photos even if we had just been in the car. At Tretten on the E6 a new road tunnel was being built and there was a long section of roadworks. Coming intoLillehammer(which we didn’t actually drive through but round it) it was 18C and sunny. There wasn’t any snow on the mountains but we saw the ski jumps. It looked like a big town. We had showers after that and we finally found a picnic place on our side of the road at the junction with the 4 just before the road went over the lake and it was raining then and still raining when we left. By 1.30 it had stopped raining but we had more heavy rain after Hamar. There were more roadworks where it looked like they were making it into a dual carriageway. Driving aroundOslowe went through 6 tolls (107 Kr in total). The E6 was three lanes wide in one place aroundOsloand it was very busy for a lot of the time. In between the showers it was grey and cloudy. South of Oslo we went through three tunnels – 2 at 4kms and 1 at 1 km. We used up the last of the cash on diesel (13.18 Kr/l) on the motorway. As we headed towards the border withSwedenit started to rain again very heavily this time and didn’t stop till after we got to the site at Stromstad at 5.15. It was only 12C. We booked in for 1 night and they asked for a 40 SKr deposit for the card for the barrier and toilet block, but as we didn’t have any Swedish currency and didn’t want to put it on the credit card they found us a pitch before the barrier on the fjord side of the site next to the reception/bar area. The pitches were awash with water, no grass on them and not at all nice. But it’s only for one night. We didn’t like the other side of the site across the road when we stayed here before that much bit it’s a lot nicer than here. After we had set up it stopped raining. The sunset is at 10.30 here, so maybe it’ll be a bit darker tonight.Sunriseis at about4.20 am.

 

Tuesday 26 June

It was a bit darker last night. We were up at 6.30 and it was a nice sunny day with a clear blue sky, so much better than last night. When we left after breakfast at 7.35 it was 13C and we had a long drive of over 400 miles ahead of us, all on motorway. Back inSwedennow and we saw lots of wind turbines. There were speed cameras in lots of places but there were not any warning signs like there were inNorway. The countryside was very green and we saw a lonered deerin a field. The motorway was 2 lanes apart from one short section of normal road, which was much better and the speed limit was higher, not that that affected us as we kept our speed down for fuel consumption. We stopped at McD and had a coffee and a muffin, and filled up at the petrol station (14.11 SKr/l). The temperature had gone up to 16C and it was still sunny. There wasn’t a lot to see apart from the motorway and trees and the occasional glimpse of the sea. We went past several wood works where there were huge piles of cut down trees and chopped logs. Most of the way the motorway was quiet. We went over a couple of big bridges over rivers and went past a big chemical factory nearGoteborg.Goteborgwas a big town and the road was busy around it. There was a big park similar toAltonTowers. South of Goteborg there was a bit more to see. At 10.30 it was 19C. We saw quite a few large birds of prey flying around but not close enough to get any photos. Along the edges of the motorway and in the middle there were lots of lupins out. As we headed south it got quite hazy and cloudy for a while. Near Laxvik we were very close to the sea and we could see the waves. It was quite overcast and went down to 15C. We stopped for lunch at a picnic site at 12 and then headed off again. We saw big fields of crops and warning signs for moose (but didn’t see any again!). After 1 it brightened up again. It was windy in the afternoon and it moved the van about a bit. We saw a police motorbike with rider and pillion passenger on, unlikeUKwhere they are all single seaters. We went over theOresundBridge(620 DKr toll) intoDenmarkand it was very windy but we were driving into the wind. It was quite sunny and 18C. AroundCopenhagenthe motorway was busy. We saw diesel for 11.13 DKr (in the afternoon) on the motorway. Across the second bridge (350 DKr toll) it was windy but this time it was a cross wind. There were lots of fields with poppies in and it looked like a red haze on them.  Across the third bridge onto mainlandDenmark(no toll) it was windy but again we were driving into it. We arrived at the site at Kolding, Kolding City camping (camping cheques accepted, unmetered electricity, free showers, charge for internet, accepted Euro for taxes, free cooking facilities) at 5.30, after 420 miles. It was still sunny but windy and only 14C. There was a Lidl just up the road so we stocked up our empty fridge and cupboard. The prices were really good, some even cheaper than home, so a welcome relief afterNorway. Diesel at the Jet garage near Lidl was 9.81 Kr/l, but we decided to wait till the morning as we knew the price was cheaper then. The site was much nicer than the last few, nice grassy pitches and nicer facilities. It would be a good site to stop on and again to explore the area. We both decided that 420 miles in a day was only possible if it was all on motorways (as today was) with no hold ups, we wouldn’t want to do it again to often though.

 

Wednesday 27 June

It was actually quite dark last night but I was still awake early. Showered and packed up before leaving at 9.50. It was cloudy and cool at 12C. We drove to the Jet garage and diesel was 9.50 Kr/l but while we were waiting in the queue the price went up to 10.95 Kr (at 10 am exactly) so we left it. At the Shell garage across the junction it was 9.80 Kr so we pulled in there and filled up, and it didn’t go up (not then anyway). We called in at Lidl to pick up a few more bits and when we drove back past the Shell garage at 10.30 the price had gone up to 11.16 Kr, so we were lucky. At about 11 it rained on the way toGermany, we drove intoGermanyat 11.30 and it stopped raining and the temperature had gone up to 13C. Driving along the E45 we saw a huge area of solar panels nearFlensburgin the fields on both sides, and a lot more being put up. Back inGermanythere is no speed limit on the motorway and cars and bikes were whizzing past us at over 100 mph! The whole area was very rural with farms and huge fields of crops growing. Just as we stopped for lunch at 12 it started to rain again but it soon stopped and brightened up for a while. We went over a big bridge over theNord-OstseeCanal. The countryside all the way was very flat and there were lots of wind turbines. We were stuck in the inside lane with all the lorries as for miles there was no overtaking allowed for lorries or anything with a trailer (including caravans). The drive today was pretty boring as there wasn’t much to see, in fact sinceLillehammerit was much the same. AroundHamburgit was very busy and we went through a 3km long tunnel under theElbeRiver. After the tunnel the road quietened down but on the A1 there were three long stretches (6-7km each) of roadworks. By now the weather was grey, dismal, drizzly and misty. We turned off the motorway and drove miles before we got to the site, Hanseat (camping cheques, showers with tokens, no internet). When we arrived it looked closed as there was no-one at the reception and we couldn’t see any other vans. We tried riming the doorbell but no-one came. Rang the number on the door and someone came out, a guy who spoke little or no English, but we found out the site was open and we drove in. We had to leave the camping card which we’ll get back tomorrow when we pay (camping cheque again). There was one other van on the site and we parked near them. Went off to find water etc but all the water taps were covered up, we asked the couple next door, Dutch, (who again spoke very little English) and we found out that they had got water from the toilet block. That was locked but they had been given a key so we went back to the reception, called the bloke again and he gave us a key. When we went to the toilet block we found we wouldn’t be able to have a shower as it was worked with tokens! No way was I going to try to ask about that. It was quite warm and it did brighten up again and we thought we’d have tea outside but by the time I had cooked tea it was raining again. Two motorcyclists came in and another van.

 

Thursday 28 June

It had rained hard in the night and was dark too, nice change. We were up about 6.30 and when we left at 8 it was 16C and the sun was trying to break through. We anticipated problems getting the camping card back after yesterday’s fiasco, but the office was open and the man (different one to last night) gave us our card back and took our camping cheque and we were off. We saw last night that were lots of permanent vans/homes all around the edge of the site. There didn’t appear to be a lot to do in the area. On the way today we went past a huge sawmill where there was lots of sawn timber and lots of trees waiting to be sawn. We saw a red deer in a field and a bit later another with a foal. We filled up at Rotenburg at €1.429/l.  For a while it was misty but the sun was coming through. We past several PYO strawberry places. Back on the A1 it was back to no overtaking and big sections of roadwork's (more than 6kms). At 10 we stopped for a coffee and it was 19C, after that we drove through a 17km section of roadworks and it was busy both ways. The temperature carried on rising and it was sunny. The countryside was very flat and boring and there was nothing to see, just a long line of lorries ahead. We picked up the BFBS radio and listened to that for a while, but the presenter was awful, but it was in English. We saw quite a few big birds circling high in the sky. As we neared the Dutch border we went through another 7km of roadworks and just as we got intoHollandwe stopped for lunch. It was 24C and really hot and sunny. We started seeing more British cars now and also birds of prey on the fence posts next to the motorway. We also saw a couple of herons near the road. As we nearedArnhemit clouded over for a while but it was 27C. Diesel was €1.419 on the motorway and about €1.339 off it. As we got to Maurik we had to do a slight detour to avoid the ferry which meant several more miles in the car (we weren’t sure that the van would fit or how much it would be). It was a very pretty area with lots of fruit trees and fruit stalls at the side of the road selling cherries and strawberries. We finally arrived at the site, Eiland van Maurik (camping cheques, free showers, charge for internet) at 2.45, and it was 27C and really hot. We set up next to Roger and Sharon our friends we had met on our route out and it was his birthday, sat around talking for the rest of the afternoon. It came on to rain for a while but nothing too bad.

 

Friday 29 June

We woke up about 8.30 so a late start for us for a change. It was warm again and we had a few drops of rain, and it was humid. After breakfast and showers etc we did a bit of shopping at the local supermarket, getting the last few bits for tonight’s meal. The shops here don’t take credit cards or debit cards if they are Visa Debit like ours, only Maestro. In the afternoon we all went to Wageningen and had a walk around the town, it was where the surrender treaty was signed at the end of WW2. We saw the place where it was signed. The town was very pretty and we bought some cheese and chocolates. On the way back we stopped at McDs for a McFlurry and use the wifi back at the site we cooked dinner and ate it in their van as they had more room. There was a lovely sunset over the canal behind us.

 

Saturday 30 June

We had to be up earlier today as we had to pack up and wanted to leave by 11 for our last bit of the trek back toDunkirk. We were up about 7.30 and after breakfast etc we packed up. We did have time to walk around the site a bit. It’s a big site and very well looked after. There was a huge lake in the middle which gets used for all sorts of activities. The actual site is like a resort and very good value when you pay by camping cheque. I have no idea how much it would cost without so will have to look it up at home. There is a canal behind and you could see the boats going along it, and a large expanse of water between the site and the canal that has been dammed (something to do with a hydro electric power station. There were huge numbers of geese on the bank, as well as some sheep. It would have been nice to have spent a day having a walk around the area, so will have to come back again. There was also a little petting zoo area with goats, a Shetland pony and ducks and geese.

We left at 11.10 having said goodbye to Roger and Sharon, it was lovely to see them again, and headed off forFrance. It was nice and sunny again and 20C.

We filled up with fuel again. There were fruit trees everywhere along the way. The roads were busy, probably because today was the start of the school holidays inSouth Holland. The site was getting busy too. AroundBredait was very busy and we had a few hold ups. We finally managed to stop for lunch at about 1 after we had been stuck in the traffic and the service area we stopped in was very busy, and we had to park in with the lorries, where there were not many spaces. It was just before the Belgian border and the temperature was 23 C. There were more roadwork's on both sides of the road, we didn’t get held up for too long but on the other side the queue was about 6km long. AroundAntwerpit wasn’t too busy apart from one place where there had been a couple of accidents and there were cars all over the inside lanes. Through the Kennedy tunnel it was very busy and there was a 50km speed limit in force. In the afternoon it clouded over but it was still warm, and it brightened up again after a bit of rain. InBelgiumdiesel was a bit dearer at €1.459/l on the motorway. We saw more and more British cars the nearer we got toDunkirkandCalais. We eventually arrived at the site, chateau du Gandspette (camping cheques accepted, CC site) as about 4.30, having stopped at Carrefour to do a bit of shopping and fill up again, only €1.299/l here. We booked in and found our pitch, which was surrounded by British vans, the first we have really seen. It was cloudy and drizzled a bit. While we were setting up we had a chat to the people next door, nice to see English people again.

 

Sunday 1 July

We were up about 6, my wife had been bitten in the night, so having escaped for four weeks she succumbed. It was a bright morning with blue sky and sun and when we left it was 14C. We arrived at the ferry at 8.30 and waited till about 9.15 when they started the boarding, early for a change. It was quite busy and we were on near the start. The sailing across was fairly calm and dry, we went out as we nearedDoverand it was very windy. We docked about 11.20 and were off fairly soon. LeavingDoverit was windy and the sky was threatening and black ahead. We hit rain before long and it rained a lot of the way home. We stopped for lunch at the services at about 1, and arrived home at 2.55. It had stopped raining by then and we were able to get the van into the garden in the dry. Nice to be home as always but a good holiday, and by the time we got home we had driven 5500 miles!

 

 

Summary and thoughts.

We had a good trip, what did we learn.Scandinaviais expensive,Norwaymore so, though fuel is about the same as here. Norwegian drivers generally stick to the speed limit so if you are going at the limit it is quite a relaxing drive as no one seems to want to overtake you, there are harsh penalties for speeding. Credit card use inNorwayis widespread, if using cash they don’t use the small coins so bills will be rounded up or down, not with credit cards though. There is a deposit on all plastic bottles and tins. Sites are plentiful and can fill up quickly around 5pm. Motor homes are prevalent and most move on daily and find another site, this is probably due to lack of roads so avoids returning on same route. Electric points are generally 2 pin and 10-15 amp though some appeared to have been overloaded and looked burnt but worked, take your chance if using them. Long leads are sometimes required. Take as many provisions as you can to avoid the high prices.

Are we going again, well yes, 2014 will see us again head north, but this time throughSwedento theNorth Capeand south throughNorwayto avoid going both ways on the same road. See what that brings.