Day 6 - 16th July 2023
We left the ferry in the rain and rode west looking for wild camping spots. We found one but the gate was closed so couldn’t ride down to the lake.
We rode another 45 minutes and finally found a spot next to the river.
We made camp in the rain. Vince had bought a tarp so we were able to cook dinner out of the rain.
We left the ferry in the rain and rode west looking for wild camping spots. We found one but the gate was closed so couldn’t ride down to the lake.
We rode another 45 minutes and finally found a spot next to the river.
We made camp in the rain. Vince had bought a tarp so we were able to cook dinner out of the rain.
Our first glimpse of a Norwegian lake
he first place we tried to wild camp. We weren’t expecting to see a Viking ship
Our final wild camp spot
Our cooking area
lots of rain and the lake is rising!
Tigers guarding the camp
The river next to camp
Our route today.
Day 7 - 17th July 2023
We left our wild camp in the rain and headed to Lysebotn.
It’s famous for its 29-kilometre (18 mi) long road that rises over 900 metres (3,000 ft) up a very steep cliff, going through 27 hairpin turns, including one hairpin turn inside a 1,103-metre (3,619 ft) long tunnel that goes inside the mountain. The road was opened in 1984 and it is open only in the summer, when it is ice free and safe. The road has its highest point at 932 metres (3,058 ft) above sea level.
It was a real shame it was raining, the road was smooth as silk, the only hazard besides the rain were the numerous sheep. They had seen plenty of tourist in their time so they weren’t phased.
We headed to another wild camp near lake Oltedalsvatnet.
We left our wild camp in the rain and headed to Lysebotn.
It’s famous for its 29-kilometre (18 mi) long road that rises over 900 metres (3,000 ft) up a very steep cliff, going through 27 hairpin turns, including one hairpin turn inside a 1,103-metre (3,619 ft) long tunnel that goes inside the mountain. The road was opened in 1984 and it is open only in the summer, when it is ice free and safe. The road has its highest point at 932 metres (3,058 ft) above sea level.
It was a real shame it was raining, the road was smooth as silk, the only hazard besides the rain were the numerous sheep. They had seen plenty of tourist in their time so they weren’t phased.
We headed to another wild camp near lake Oltedalsvatnet.
On the way to Lysebotn
On the way to Lysebotn
No complaints about doing my lawn…….on the ground!!
On the way down from the top of the twisty road
It’s a bit wet!!
Our route today
One twisty road
This is what it looks like on a nice day.
Day 8 - 18th July 2023
We left our wild camp in the rain and headed north to Eidfjord.
It was misty and raining most of the day, which was a shame. The upside to the rain is that there are lots of waterfalls with lots of water. We spent lots of time underground, there are so many tunnels, even ones with roundabouts.
We were wet and cold when we turned up to the campground.
I pitched the tent in the rain and then had a hot shower to warm up, sheer bliss!!
We left our wild camp in the rain and headed north to Eidfjord.
It was misty and raining most of the day, which was a shame. The upside to the rain is that there are lots of waterfalls with lots of water. We spent lots of time underground, there are so many tunnels, even ones with roundabouts.
We were wet and cold when we turned up to the campground.
I pitched the tent in the rain and then had a hot shower to warm up, sheer bliss!!
Day 9 - 19th July 2023
We had a later start this morning, washing and drying our clothes first thing and waiting for the rain to stop.
We left fully rain suited and headed to Stegastein viewpoint. What a view!! From there we rode through many tunnels including the world's longest road tunnel at 25 km.
We the rode the Tindevegan through the mountains where the temperature dropped to 3°C, plenty of snow and a glacier.
As it turned out we only got the occasional rain today, which made the ride very pleasant. There was such a variety of scenery, it was a real pleasure to ride dry twisting roads.
We ended the day at Geilostrondi.
We had a later start this morning, washing and drying our clothes first thing and waiting for the rain to stop.
We left fully rain suited and headed to Stegastein viewpoint. What a view!! From there we rode through many tunnels including the world's longest road tunnel at 25 km.
We the rode the Tindevegan through the mountains where the temperature dropped to 3°C, plenty of snow and a glacier.
As it turned out we only got the occasional rain today, which made the ride very pleasant. There was such a variety of scenery, it was a real pleasure to ride dry twisting roads.
We ended the day at Geilostrondi.
View from out camp
View from just outside camp
Mr Squinty at Stegastein Lookout
The viewing platform at Stegastein Lookout
The Stigs brother!
Tindervegan
Tindervegan
Tindervegan
Tindervegan
The glacier
Lom stavkyrkje. 12th Century wooden chapel
Our route
Day 10 - 20th July 2023
Today we rode some of the most famous Norwegian roads and saw some of the most spectacular views.
Temperatures ranging from 2.5° to 13.5°C.
Today we rode some of the most famous Norwegian roads and saw some of the most spectacular views.
Temperatures ranging from 2.5° to 13.5°C.
It’s a long way down at the Geiranger lookout. It was cold, we even had a few snow flakes bbbrrrr!!!
Geiranger lookout
Our first ferry of the day
Vince preparing to gear up on the ferry
A highly visible tourist at The Trollstigen scenic route
The Trollstigen scenic route, and scenic it was!
A new friend?
Second ferry of the day
The town of Bud
Vince defending the town of Bud
The famous bridge The Atlantic Road - scenic route
Is that a motorcycle?
It is!!
Is it the highly visible tourist?
Yes it is
Our route today
Day 11 - 21st July 2023
Today it was all about ferries, tunnels and going to hell, or should I say Hell.
Today was the first day for a while we didn’t wear our wet weather gear, in fact we had moments of sunshine and a balmy 16.5°C.
We caught two ferries, went through many tunnels and arrived in a town called Hell. We visited the memorial to the RAF crew members who lost their lives in the sinking of the Nazi warship The Tirpitz.
We then travelled through the rolling hills passed lakes and ended up wild camping in a forest near Bjorgan.
Today it was all about ferries, tunnels and going to hell, or should I say Hell.
Today was the first day for a while we didn’t wear our wet weather gear, in fact we had moments of sunshine and a balmy 16.5°C.
We caught two ferries, went through many tunnels and arrived in a town called Hell. We visited the memorial to the RAF crew members who lost their lives in the sinking of the Nazi warship The Tirpitz.
We then travelled through the rolling hills passed lakes and ended up wild camping in a forest near Bjorgan.
Looks like the woodcutter has gone rogue!
Here comes the ferry
Loaded and ready to go
I’ve gone to Hell!!!!!!
Hell in the forest
The memorial
Our camp
As soon as dinner was done the mosquitoes and midgies came out!!
One for the mantelpiece □
Day 12 - 22nd July 2023
We were up early and packed away before the rain came. Our midge friends who were so happy to see us last night were just as keen to see us this morning
We left in the rain and headed north stopping in at Mo I Rana to see the Havmannen man, then off to the artic circle centre then finally a wild camp overlooking the Arctic Ocean
We were up early and packed away before the rain came. Our midge friends who were so happy to see us last night were just as keen to see us this morning
We left in the rain and headed north stopping in at Mo I Rana to see the Havmannen man, then off to the artic circle centre then finally a wild camp overlooking the Arctic Ocean
Havmannen, or Havmann (in English: "The Man from the Sea") is a granite stone sculpture by the English artist Antony Gormley located in the city of Mo i Rana in northern Norway. The sculpture stands proud in the "Ranfjord" in the city of Mo i Rana, which is often referred to in Norway as "Polarsirkelbyen" (in English: the "Arctic Circle City").
At the Arctic circle, this time in. Norway. I’m not one for the cold so I don’t know why I’m this far North again □□
A Moose in the Hoose!! In the Arctic Circle Centre
Our neighbours tonight. Much better than last nights!!
Our neighbours having a good scratch!!
Todays route.
Day 13 - 23rd July 2023
What I learnt last night is that our neighbours, the sheep, communicate a lot and don’t sleep. And therefore, when the alarm went off at 5am this morning I also had had very little sleep.
We were up early as we had to get the ferry to the Lofoten Islands. The islands have dramatic mountains and peaks, some near vertical.
The bays have beautiful coloured seas, many with light sandy beaches.
The roading infrastructure in Norway is top notch. It has a population similar to NZ and puts NZ roading infrastructure to shame.
The first thing I noticed when we entered Scandinavia is how clean and well-kept the countries are. You will not find any litter anywhere.
It’s strange now we’ve crossed the arctic circle the weather has gotten hotter and dryer.
What I learnt last night is that our neighbours, the sheep, communicate a lot and don’t sleep. And therefore, when the alarm went off at 5am this morning I also had had very little sleep.
We were up early as we had to get the ferry to the Lofoten Islands. The islands have dramatic mountains and peaks, some near vertical.
The bays have beautiful coloured seas, many with light sandy beaches.
The roading infrastructure in Norway is top notch. It has a population similar to NZ and puts NZ roading infrastructure to shame.
The first thing I noticed when we entered Scandinavia is how clean and well-kept the countries are. You will not find any litter anywhere.
It’s strange now we’ve crossed the arctic circle the weather has gotten hotter and dryer.
The beautiful Lofoten Island
The beautiful Lofoten Island. The town called A
The beautiful Lofoten Island
Green seas and white beaches
The beautiful Lofoten Island
Stopping every five minutes to take another photo
James.
A football field takes up most of the available space.
What it actually looks like on the ground
Another aerial view
The view from our campsite tonight.
Today's route
Day 14 - 24th July 2023
We left our camp and headed north through the Lofoten islands and on to the mainland.
The scenery today has to be some of the best the world has to offer. There was always something new around every other corner.
We again wild camped tonight.
We left our camp and headed north through the Lofoten islands and on to the mainland.
The scenery today has to be some of the best the world has to offer. There was always something new around every other corner.
We again wild camped tonight.
A strange place on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere.
Tonight’s camp
The midgies have finally gone now we’ve eaten!!
It’s getting cold now
Our route so far
Day 15 - 25th July 2023
We left camp and headed as far north as you can go by road in Europe. The destination Nord Kapp or North Cape in English.
On the way we stopped in at the Tirpitz Museum near Alta. Tirpitz was one of two Bismarck class battle ships, the largest battleships built by the Nazis in the Second World War. It was sunk by the RAF who dropped Tall boy bombs from Lancaster bombers.
We saw our first wild life today, Carabu, also known as reindeer ambling across the roads.
When we were nearing Nord Kapp the weather grew colder, more overcast until we were riding in thick fog.
When we parked our bikes and walked to the 307-metre cliff, we could barely see 10 feet in front of us. No problem if you’re scared of heights, you couldn’t see a thing
At least we got a picture with the famous sculpture
We left camp and headed as far north as you can go by road in Europe. The destination Nord Kapp or North Cape in English.
On the way we stopped in at the Tirpitz Museum near Alta. Tirpitz was one of two Bismarck class battle ships, the largest battleships built by the Nazis in the Second World War. It was sunk by the RAF who dropped Tall boy bombs from Lancaster bombers.
We saw our first wild life today, Carabu, also known as reindeer ambling across the roads.
When we were nearing Nord Kapp the weather grew colder, more overcast until we were riding in thick fog.
When we parked our bikes and walked to the 307-metre cliff, we could barely see 10 feet in front of us. No problem if you’re scared of heights, you couldn’t see a thing
At least we got a picture with the famous sculpture
We finally got to Nord Kapp, but couldn’t see anything
One of the views at the start of our days ride
The Tirpitz
Items recovered from the Tirpitz
A rare white Carabu
And some of his mates
Our location
Our wild camp tonight
Today's route.
Day 16 - 26th July 2023
Today we made our way to Finland. It was a rain gear day so we focused on making some distance south to the warmer drier regions.
Finland is covered in forests, various types of trees including many silver birches.
There are lots of Reindeer just ambling along on the road, so you have to keep your eyes peeled.
Last night we stayed in a campground, lovely hot showers and luscious grass to pitch the tent on.
Today we continued south to the arctic circle in Lapland. This is where Santa Claus lives.
We visited the Santa Claus Centre to see the man himself, no sign of the elves at all, they must be hard at work.
We then headed south again and wild camped next to a lake in the forest. A very beautiful spot only spoiled by the midgies and mosquitoes.
Today we made our way to Finland. It was a rain gear day so we focused on making some distance south to the warmer drier regions.
Finland is covered in forests, various types of trees including many silver birches.
There are lots of Reindeer just ambling along on the road, so you have to keep your eyes peeled.
Last night we stayed in a campground, lovely hot showers and luscious grass to pitch the tent on.
Today we continued south to the arctic circle in Lapland. This is where Santa Claus lives.
We visited the Santa Claus Centre to see the man himself, no sign of the elves at all, they must be hard at work.
We then headed south again and wild camped next to a lake in the forest. A very beautiful spot only spoiled by the midgies and mosquitoes.
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