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       #Post#: 32515--------------------------------------------------
       Scandinavia plus a bit of Germany and Holland -picture heavy
       By: AlexB Date: July 29, 2012, 3:51 am
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       Sorry for posting on other, lesser, fora
       Just a little report on our recent jaunt to Europe, hope it
       isn’t too boring.
       We left rainy Holmfirth on Friday 13th July to go to Ely Folk
       Festival, and after spending an excellent weekend there (good to
       see you Mr Pickles!), boarded the Ferry in Harwich which took us
       to Eskbjerg in Denmark (230 miles ish), landing Tuesday
       lunchtime.
       As we all know, Scandinavia is expensive, so we took plenty of
       provisions, including;
       20 l diesel, 5.75 l wine, 13 l beer, 18 bottles of tonic, 2 kilo
       pasta, 8 portions boil in bag rice, 8 portions naan and pitta
       bread, 18 packet mix / prepared meals, at least 24 cans of veg,
       beans, tomatoes etc and a packet of instant mash.
       There are those who might think that this might be a trifle OTT
       for 2 people for 15 days. You are not wrong. Next time we will
       know better….
       Back to the trip.
       Drove up to Hirtshals (+400miles), stopping for the evening and
       overnight, in Aalborg. Had a very enjoyable hour in a bar there
       as well as a wonder round this lovely town.
       Denmark was incredibly windy which made driving not the most
       pleasant of experiences, especially as loaded as we were.
       Caught the ferry across to Kristiansand and arrived late
       afternnon, which allowed us to get to Byglandfjiord (50 miles
       due north of Kristiansand) to camp for the night.
       Thanks to a recommendation from a kind member on the Norwegian
       Land Rover forum, we had altered our proposed route to Oslo via
       Byglandsfjiord and continued northwards and then turning
       eastwards at Rygnestad until we stopped at a little north of
       Notodden (+590 miles) to wild camp at the side of a lake. It was
       really beautiful.
       In an attempt to limit the amount of driving and to stay a
       couple of days in one spot, we pressed on, through Oslo (what a
       shit driving experience that was) into Sweden where we pitched
       for 2 nights near Hogsater (+800 miles). Well worth it as the
       weather was now starting to get consistently warm (low twenties)
       all day with lots of sunshine. Stopped off to inspect a Stave
       Church.
       Another wild camp spot at Knaved (+980 miles) – in a forest –
       was again, a wonderful experience, on our way down to Malmo
       (+1090 miles) where we stayed a couple of nights and
       re-aquainted ourselves with people and civilisation. The
       campsite is very close to the Oresund Bridge and has great
       public transport links. This allowed us to go into Malmo and,
       the following day, into Lund (the second oldest town in Sweden
       apparently)
       Monday morning meant that we had to move again and we drove over
       the magnificent bridge (nearly 8 km long), before disappearing
       into a hole in the sea to go through a nearly 4 km long tunnel
       to arrive in Copenhagen. (The tunnel was to accommodate the
       nearby Copenhagen airport). Our destination was Rodbyhafen, to
       catch the ferry to Germany and we nearly made it without any
       problems.
       Unfortunately, as I pulled off the motorway to fill up with
       diesel, I noticed that the brakes were not there. A couple of
       pumps allowed enough retardation to come to a halt, but it was
       obvious something was amiss. Inspection revealed that the
       drivers side wing had rubbed a minute hole in the brake pipe to
       the front off side wheel which was allowing fluid to escape when
       under pressure. (when rebuilding the Dormobile, I had put
       protective rubber sleeve under the near side, but failed to do
       the same on the off side.
       A call to our breakdown cover (through RJ insurance) summoned a
       large red taxi (eventually) who, when asked, replied, to my
       dismay, that we were to be taken 50 miles back to Copenhagen to
       the land rover garage. I pointed out that all we needed was a
       “real” garage to make up another brake pipe and we could be on
       our way to the waiting ferry. Fortunately, the driver understood
       and made the appropriate phonecalls to his boss and all the
       garages around, finally coming up trumps with a garage a mile
       away, who completed the task, including a quick pressure wash,
       in ¾ of an hour. In all, we lost 2 ½ hours and most of that was
       waiting for the recovery! A number of lessons there I feel.
       Pressing on, in Germany, to a lovely campsite near Lubeck –
       after having to ask for assistance from a local hostelry for
       directions, as our map run out there and the sat nav dates from
       2009. Over night we were joined by a brace of 2CVs.
       As we wanted to stop another night in Germany, I purchased a map
       and we were able to find our next site near Osnabruck
       (Westfalia) (+1400 miles) quite easily. From memory, Westfalia
       was the name of the factory that did conversions on VW campers.
       Anyway, that was the Thursday night and we bumbled gently to
       Holland via red and yellow roads, stopping off in Gouda to have
       a stroll round, sample some coffee and cake, before going on to
       Rotterdam to catch the ferry. What a nightmare that was – we
       must have driven over 40 miles before we found the right dock!
       And then because of something called the Olympics, it took at
       least an hour extra, because of extra “security” to get off.
       We finally landed back in sunny Holmfirth at 11.00 am.  (+1735
       miles )
       A great trip. Not done the sums yet, but with the speedo reading
       approx 10% slow, we did just under 2000 miles. The scenery was
       marvellous and we definitely want to go again although probably
       concentrate on Norway if we can get a ferry there (from
       Immingham ?). It didn’t cost a fortune but I almost feel
       apologetic for our almost complete lack on any financial
       contribution to the Norwegian economy – not even diesel!!
       Now looking forwards to France (via Cornwall) in October and the
       length of the Pyrenees in September 2013.
       In the queue at Harwich (Sunbeam Alpine)
       [IMG]
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       classic maggot – note the gas light shades
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       Approach to Eskbjerg
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       “Wild” camping in Aalborg Denmark
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       local beer
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       Catching the ferry to Kristiansand – it was enormous!
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       Byglandsfjiord (well, at the side of it), enjoying some of
       Lidl’s finest
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       Stave church
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       wild camping near Notodden
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       lunch stop
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       beer from Finland – I wouldn’t go there on the strength of this
       example
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       Hogsater, Sweden
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       Shame to see this slowing dying
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       wild camping near Knaved, Sweden
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       Malmo – famous bit of sculpture
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       Yon big bridge
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       I wouldn’t travel especially for this either
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       Driving on the bridge
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       Spotted this rather nice amazon while waiting for the BYT
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       BYT is in fact a BRT
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       Ferry into Germany – amazingly efficient in loading and
       unloading
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       First call in Germany
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       The pair of 2CVs
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       Well worth travelling for – first beer on draft
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       Note the lane width on this dutch motorway
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       Parked up at Gouda
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       #Post#: 32524--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Scandinavia plus a bit of Germany and Holland -picture heavy
       By: Drew 5292 Date: July 29, 2012, 5:28 am
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       Great tripography, Alex. 8)
       Also, the atheist in me can still appreciate the architecture
       and construction of churches, cathedrals, mosques and temples.
       But, whilst curiously layered and somewhat over-designed in the
       roof department, that stave church is absolutely ghastly.
       #Post#: 32526--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Scandinavia plus a bit of Germany and Holland -picture heavy
       By: Rhythm Thief Date: July 29, 2012, 5:45 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Nice! I like all the beer, and the 2cvs. :thumbs:
       #Post#: 32527--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Scandinavia plus a bit of Germany and Holland -picture heavy
       By: Albert Ross Date: July 29, 2012, 6:01 am
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       AlexB. The only man I know that plans a Euroleafing trip and
       remembers the places by the labels on the bottles etc....
       #Post#: 32528--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Scandinavia plus a bit of Germany and Holland -picture heavy
       By: Boghog Date: July 29, 2012, 6:23 am
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       Great trip by the looks of it!
       #Post#: 32543--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Scandinavia plus a bit of Germany and Holland -picture heavy
       By: Mr.Pickles Date: July 29, 2012, 9:48 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I'm glad you had better weather for the rest of your trip, after
       Ely!
       I was the last to leave the field, got home at 15:00, Monday
       afternoon!
       One of the strangest things, I towed on the Monday, was the
       Pizza Oven trailer! It weighs over a ton and the owner turned up
       with his car to collect it!
       Was the pressure wash to get rid of Ely mud?
       You feature in a picture in the Ely Standard on-line!
       Excellent pictures of your beer tour of Europe!
       Mr.P
       #Post#: 32547--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Scandinavia plus a bit of Germany and Holland -picture heavy
       By: AlexB Date: July 29, 2012, 10:05 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Any chance of the link to the picture please?
       thanks
       #Post#: 32561--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Scandinavia plus a bit of Germany and Holland -picture heavy
       By: mr.scruff Date: July 29, 2012, 10:44 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Fabulous!  8)  :thumbs:
       #Post#: 32586--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Scandinavia plus a bit of Germany and Holland -picture heavy
       By: Mr.Pickles Date: July 29, 2012, 1:39 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       There's a report in the "Ely Standard" (google it) 26th July,
       Oil imp peck rings on front page!  :bleurgh
       I can't find the pictures now, old and stupid person's excuse,
       but I'm sure I saved the one of you, I'll put in an email!
       Mr.P
       #Post#: 32613--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Scandinavia plus a bit of Germany and Holland -picture heavy
       By: Redwinch Date: July 29, 2012, 3:50 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Briliant Alex, hope ours is half as interesting, and thank you
       for helping Harry2a, you are a gent
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