Norway here we come - July 2024

Spotted some interesting upgrades on a wee mini... I wonder if you open the boot, is there a massive coil spring! 😊.IMG20240720191447.jpgIMG20240720191435.jpg

The Lego chap has the same hairstyle as me!

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I have inserted the full images and tidied the post up.

Richard
 
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Our plan for Sunday was to see the Vermork museum, https://www.nia.no/en/vemork/ before heading off. This was the reason I chose to stay in Rjukan and it didn't disappoint. Well worth a visit to see especially considering it's place in wartime history. and what history. I love big machines so was grinning like a pig in shit.

Check out the first character in the company name - this was pre-Nazi, so had no affiliation to them at all. Unlucky choice of logo to say the least.


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It was a bit of a trek from the carpark, but we scabbed a lift on the shuttle bus with some Wooden planks (yanks). Given their average rotundity, I blended in quite easily. I laughed at all the skinny people making their way up the steep roadway. But they probably had beer the day before, so we were even-Stephens.
 
Back on the road for around 2pm, our route was about 200km from Rjukan to Åkrafjordtunet. I had though Saturday's scenery was good, but this was mind blowing!


Many, many twisties of all shapes and sizes. From wide sweepers to narrow mountain passes. We met goats, sheep, snow, campers, bikers, rain and tunnels (more on that later) 🙄

Stopped off for a rather light lunch (aka world's smallest toastie) before the last leg of the day's riding. Or so I thought...IMG20240721164522.jpg
 
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The Oxford Mondial suit has proved to be excellent. From 28 to below 15 degrees, from blue skies to lashing rain, I've remained sufficiently cool, and dry and cosy respectively. Very versatile bit of gear. I brought a cheap puffer jacket instead of the factory liner as it doubles up as evening wear when off the bike. Being mostly air it also provides more maneuverability than the factory liner. Happy days.
 
After some class riding through the passes, I noticed that a fuel stop wouldn't go astray... We weren't that far from our destination, but potentially we'd arrive with only 20km left in the tank. Not ideal.

To compound the issue I missed the turn off for our accommodation...
Then we entered a tunnel of unknown length...
The way things are looking, even if we do a u turn at the end of the tunnel, we may / may not get back to the tunnel entrance. 😳 And even if we do make it to the overnight stop, we definitely won't have enough juice to get to a petrol station the next morning. Oh, and it's lashing down with rain (except when we're in the Tunnel of Doom) !
Luckily, when we came out of the far end of the tunnel, there was a petrol station just one km ahead. 😊👍 Happy days!
To compound the anxiety, there's no Internet or GPS when in the tunnel so you've no idea how long more there is to go. Or where the next petrol station is. But it all worked out in the end.

 
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So, after petrol-gate we finally rolled into our digs for the night. What a lovely spot! Really well equipped studio apartment which is located over an un-manned supermarket. To open the door you swipe your bank card. Once inside you browse the shelves and use a self service checkout. To leave the store you scan your receipt and off you go. This system would be so abused at home, but it works perfectly here where social responsibility is held in high regard.

Some amusing products to be found in the shop. Don't know why, but the name of the chocolate bar had me grinning. Think I might stock up well on that coffee. 😊😳IMG20240721215517.jpgIMG20240721220834.jpgIMG20240721223222.jpgIMG20240721223426.jpgIMG20240721220537.jpg
 
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the barcode to get out of the checkout in norge is a thing

every coop was the same - even when theyre staffed - got trapped in one in oslo but escaped in the end :D
 
The hazelnut is nice
 

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Couple of days since I last posted. All apologies, but we've been busy. I'm up early (5am), so I'll do some updating while the boss sleeps on. We've arrived in our three-nighter stop and are nicely settled in. But I get ahead of myself...Let's roll back a day or two. 👍
 
We departed Åkrafjordtunet and made our way north towards Odda on the E134, the same road we'd ridden the previous evening but in the opposite direction. Then we continued north on the E13 along the eastern side of Sørfjorden. Odda was a big town with lots going on. On the far side of Odda the roads were busy and the pace slowed due to the combination of coaches and bendy roads. I'd imagine it's pretty jammers come high season.
 
The really great thing about calimoto is how it pulls you off the beaten track and lands you on some really great roads. Here's a great example...I missed yet another turnoff, managed to do a u turn on the section of road you see below, then we got onto the wee road from which this clip was taken... So glad we turned back!
 
On our way north we stopped into Loftus for a bite to eat. Lovely little café with some very eclectic furniture inside! We ate outdoors in the fine weather and then enjoyed a wee stroll...IMG20240722131521.jpgIMG20240722133511.jpgIMG20240722133507.jpgIMG20240722135323.jpgIMG20240722140248.jpg
 
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Camping is a really big thing here. Lots of campsites, tents, caravans and campervans. These modern style caravans are quite common. Quite like the idea of them as they are neater than those towbar monstrosities you see at home.
 


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