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Merv-IOM
Subscriber
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2011
- Messages
- 2,284
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Isle of Man
- Member No
- 2,034
- RV Type
- A Class
- Model
- Winnebago Journey DL 34 HD
- RV Experience
- Since 2011
Sweden as far as Asele, Lappland (just)
We chose a route from Oslo that was across country, rather than the boring motorways, so we ambled nicely through some staggering countryside, passing through Kongsvinter, Stollet (1 night stay on a site, spotting a beaver in the river!!), Mora, Orsa and a back road to Soderhamn on the Baltic coast. Using a 'Campings Stellplats' magazine (bought locally, www.campingkatalogen.se ), we found a lovely boatklubb at Sandarne (south of Soderhamn) to stay on that has all facilities and a great view (140 skr a night inc 10 amp elekky). (PS. If anyone is venturing this way, we can give some handy tips on where to stay – most harbours/marinas have parking for Husbil (motorhomes) with elekky, fresh water and dumps, for a price of course, but they are great places to stay).
A few of observations about Sweden.....
1; Alcohol is sold only in specialized outlets (System Bolaget) and not in supermarkets (similar in Holland too), so two shopping trips required hehe..
2; Swedish drivers are probably the best we've come across in Europe so far – very patient, law obiding, courteous and all of them stick to the speed limit. They are in no rush at all and a pleasure to be amongst.
3; Everyone speaks very good English and are extremely kind & helpful.
4; Sweden is relatively flat! Sure there are some rolling hills but nothing scary, even on the most remote roads.
5; The entire country is covered in pine, spruce and birch forests that go on for miles and miles, separated only by numerous lakes and the odd village.
6; Moose, Brown Bear, Wolves, Reindeer are all around but we've yet to see any (fingers crossed).
Anyway, back to the trundling......
From Sandarne we ran up the coast to Harnosand, a free aires on the river bank 200 mtrs from the town center (30 mtrs from Lidl and 100 mtrs from a Systyem Bolaget – handy or what?) We then decided to head back into the deep countryside, away from the coast, in an effort to see Moose etc safe in the knowledge that all the roads are excellent. So a drive up through Solleftea to a stellplats right in the middle of no-where (we fancied being as far from anyone as possible for a change) near Junselle. Gorgeous we thought!! Not a soul for miles, a small lake with Goldeneye ducks flapping about – perfect!..........until we stepped out for a wander! We only managed to get 100 mtrs into the forest when we had to turn tail and run (literally) back to 'Arvey, away from the plague of mosquitoes! Bugger, that was that, from then on we sat in the conservatory (front seats) watching the wildlife, safe from being eaten alive by those pesky beasties. Drat!
Heading further north (en route to Rovaniemi, Finland for mid-summers day) we are now on a small campsite at Asele, which is just in Lappland. It's a golf course-cum-campsite beside a lake and Swedens longest grass runway. We are the only ones here and are their first visitors this year!! The owners (Chris & Jenny) are Swedish, speak perfect English and are the nicest hosts we've ever met. What's really nice is that everyone goes home at 6pm so we have the entire place to ourselves. (www.soraselecamping.se). Another Brucey bonus is that golf is free at this time of year as the ground has not yet recovered from winter!!!! Hmmmm I am tempted........
Well that's it so far, our intended route from here is north to Jokkmokk, in the Arctic Circle, then across to Rovaniemi in Finland for a weeks R&R before heading south through the Fjords (more pesky mozzies I guess....ho hum).
I'll dig out some pikkies for you to peruse but may not post again until we get to Rovaniemi. (I can hear you all breathing a sigh of relief)
Factoids:
We've covered 2,600+ miles so far from IOM, averaging 10.5 mpg. Dearest diesel is IOM at £1.48pl, here it's £1.22 (13.40 skr), cheapest at Adinkerk, Belgium at £1.04 (1.29 euros). We always run with full fresh water & empty grey/black and weigh around 11.7 tons on average. Our motor is a Caterpillar 3126E, 330hp straight 6 with Allison 3000MH g/box.
Odd stuff:
This land of midnight sun is doing our heads in! We're exhausted.....
A: We don't sleep well in daylight.
B: We potter around until the wee hours without realising what time it is!
C: Bags of solar power...for approx 22 hours a day.
D: Not using the solar power as it's daylight all the time – bulbs not required! Grrrr
Pikkies to follow.........:thumbup:
We chose a route from Oslo that was across country, rather than the boring motorways, so we ambled nicely through some staggering countryside, passing through Kongsvinter, Stollet (1 night stay on a site, spotting a beaver in the river!!), Mora, Orsa and a back road to Soderhamn on the Baltic coast. Using a 'Campings Stellplats' magazine (bought locally, www.campingkatalogen.se ), we found a lovely boatklubb at Sandarne (south of Soderhamn) to stay on that has all facilities and a great view (140 skr a night inc 10 amp elekky). (PS. If anyone is venturing this way, we can give some handy tips on where to stay – most harbours/marinas have parking for Husbil (motorhomes) with elekky, fresh water and dumps, for a price of course, but they are great places to stay).
A few of observations about Sweden.....
1; Alcohol is sold only in specialized outlets (System Bolaget) and not in supermarkets (similar in Holland too), so two shopping trips required hehe..
2; Swedish drivers are probably the best we've come across in Europe so far – very patient, law obiding, courteous and all of them stick to the speed limit. They are in no rush at all and a pleasure to be amongst.
3; Everyone speaks very good English and are extremely kind & helpful.
4; Sweden is relatively flat! Sure there are some rolling hills but nothing scary, even on the most remote roads.
5; The entire country is covered in pine, spruce and birch forests that go on for miles and miles, separated only by numerous lakes and the odd village.
6; Moose, Brown Bear, Wolves, Reindeer are all around but we've yet to see any (fingers crossed).
Anyway, back to the trundling......
From Sandarne we ran up the coast to Harnosand, a free aires on the river bank 200 mtrs from the town center (30 mtrs from Lidl and 100 mtrs from a Systyem Bolaget – handy or what?) We then decided to head back into the deep countryside, away from the coast, in an effort to see Moose etc safe in the knowledge that all the roads are excellent. So a drive up through Solleftea to a stellplats right in the middle of no-where (we fancied being as far from anyone as possible for a change) near Junselle. Gorgeous we thought!! Not a soul for miles, a small lake with Goldeneye ducks flapping about – perfect!..........until we stepped out for a wander! We only managed to get 100 mtrs into the forest when we had to turn tail and run (literally) back to 'Arvey, away from the plague of mosquitoes! Bugger, that was that, from then on we sat in the conservatory (front seats) watching the wildlife, safe from being eaten alive by those pesky beasties. Drat!
Heading further north (en route to Rovaniemi, Finland for mid-summers day) we are now on a small campsite at Asele, which is just in Lappland. It's a golf course-cum-campsite beside a lake and Swedens longest grass runway. We are the only ones here and are their first visitors this year!! The owners (Chris & Jenny) are Swedish, speak perfect English and are the nicest hosts we've ever met. What's really nice is that everyone goes home at 6pm so we have the entire place to ourselves. (www.soraselecamping.se). Another Brucey bonus is that golf is free at this time of year as the ground has not yet recovered from winter!!!! Hmmmm I am tempted........
Well that's it so far, our intended route from here is north to Jokkmokk, in the Arctic Circle, then across to Rovaniemi in Finland for a weeks R&R before heading south through the Fjords (more pesky mozzies I guess....ho hum).
I'll dig out some pikkies for you to peruse but may not post again until we get to Rovaniemi. (I can hear you all breathing a sigh of relief)
Factoids:
We've covered 2,600+ miles so far from IOM, averaging 10.5 mpg. Dearest diesel is IOM at £1.48pl, here it's £1.22 (13.40 skr), cheapest at Adinkerk, Belgium at £1.04 (1.29 euros). We always run with full fresh water & empty grey/black and weigh around 11.7 tons on average. Our motor is a Caterpillar 3126E, 330hp straight 6 with Allison 3000MH g/box.
Odd stuff:
This land of midnight sun is doing our heads in! We're exhausted.....
A: We don't sleep well in daylight.
B: We potter around until the wee hours without realising what time it is!
C: Bags of solar power...for approx 22 hours a day.
D: Not using the solar power as it's daylight all the time – bulbs not required! Grrrr
Pikkies to follow.........:thumbup:
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