Going away Again or first real trip

[paul&debra]

Left Bergen and decided I had had enough of small roads so aimed for the E39 to get back down to the E134 back to Oslo. Well there are no Motorways in this part of Norway and due to Road works part of the route was closed and we were diverted onto the smallest roads I have ever seen. After a trip through a 26 Mile tunnel which was 2 way and about wide enough to be classed as a B road, we then entered a Tunnel on a steep up hill climb. About half way through an Artic came the other way down hill, we all think with brake fade or something because he was 2 foot over our side of the road and doing about 70 MPH. I squeezed against the rocks, stopped and closed my eyes I am ashamed to admit. The Mother in Law looked up and screamed, how he missed me I still don't know, but I was ready for a stiff drink. But there was no where on this route to stop. Long stretches of single carriageway just about wide enough for us, but that was 2 way. Made the rest of that day fraught and not enjoyable, going along the side of Fjords with your wheels already on the edge when cars and trucks come the other way doing 60 is not good for the ticker. Went round a Hairpin bend and up a steep hill towards another Hairpin when a truck came around the bend on my side of the road again doing about 50. This time it frightened him as much as me, he hit the brakes, went into a skid and started to slide sideways towards me. He regained control and with me swerving we managed to miss one another. But the look on his face (what the f***k is that great big thing doing on this road) and (oh sh**) kept me giggling manically to myself for the next 30 miles.

 

[paul&debra]

Still the Views were great. Where does the hill stop and the water start. Look carefully for half of it is reflection.

 

[paul&debra]

Jessica Paddling.

 

[paul&debra]

My 16 year old Son Ashley was amused by this place name for some reason, so took the pic.

 

[paul&debra]

By now I was fed up with views (although they kept coming) and just wanted to get onto some decent sized roads so I could relax a bit. So kept driving for about 12 hours, but still the mountains were all around us.

 

[paul&debra]

Going through one of the tunnels there was a scrapping noise and I thought "what was that, I was far enough away from the wall" then there was another lorry coming the other way and I got the scrapping again. I was beginning to think I had lost all idea of how wide I was, until the wife said "Oh I have just remembered I forgot to put the step away"
Luckily no real damage just rucked the mat up a bit.

 

[paul&debra]

To be honest by now I just wanted out of Norway, but still the views kept coming.

 

[paul&debra]

This was quite a wide road. For a change.

 

[paul&debra]

Doesn't Miranda look small down there.

 

[paul&debra]

Finally back to Sweden and a bit more wild camping. LPg was an issue in Norway, on the return journey (mostly because of the diversion) we ended up running on Petrol for about 200 miles. Sweden is even worse, only about 17 garages in the whole of sweden we were told, do LPG but we filled up there and got through.

 

[paul&debra]

Back over the orsund Bridge into Denmark and as we had just come over the Storebaeltsbroen (bridge towards Odense) when we pulled off into a service area. It had a dump and water Free but more importantly you could camp on the key side with fantastic views. Google map link.

http://goo.gl/maps/MefGu

 

[paul&debra]

Well back into Germany so where now ? still over a week of our holiday to go. Decision made by all to go to the moselle river at Bernkastle. Quite a trip as in the South of Germany. But on lovely wide Motorways with plenty of room for Miranda.

 

[paul&debra]

On the whole holiday it rained once, but Germany was having the Heat wave as well. Bernkastel was a bit to hot on the first Day.

 

[paul&debra]

We found a fantastic Stellaplatz just outside of Bernkastel for $10 Euro's a night. But look at the view across the Moselle river from our pitch. Price also inluded 6amp electric.

 

[paul&debra]

Link from Google for the Stellaplatz, note the Stellaplatz is at the top of the picture by the vines. There is a camp site next door with the pool.

http://goo.gl/maps/13EhK

 

[paul&debra]

Miranda on Stellaplatz.

 

[paul&debra]

Stayed in Bernkastel for 2 days then went on to Europa Park in Rust, Germany. A really good theme park for the kids for a couple of days. It has its own campsite, the receptions view if you can get in and find a space, then you can stay. Best to stay on the road at the top and send out scouts first. We found a good spot if a little cramped, but kids had a really good time.

 

[paul&debra]

Google earth link for Camp site at europa park. It has been expanded towards the left where the cars are in the picture. Cost around $28 Euro's per night. With 16 amp Electric. Paid for dump and water. But found an easier one at a Stellaplatz in the next village up.

http://goo.gl/maps/HgPzG

 

[paul&debra]

Well back to Brugge on Friday 2nd August to the Aire for one night before Ferry on Saturday. I have some Video of roads and tunnels which I will try to post if I can sort it out. Any questions please ask and I will do my best to answer. Strange thing is, I am glad I have done it. But I would not do it again in an RV. More suited to Eurobox i think.:biggrin:

 

[grumpy]

We cannot wait to meet up and chat about your trip as we have never laughed out load so much for ages. A woderful story & pictures.
It reminded us of our "year long" adventure driving to Cyprus & back.
Your trip so reminded us of driving in Italy on the mountain roads.
I actually got out and was going to walk off once , when we got stuck.
See you soon
Grumpy & Sue