White Nights

[King Rat]

Last morning and massive breakfast aboard the Hurtigruten 'Nordnorge',



I had to rush to get this shot. Then get the flying camera back, packed away and down to the loading ramp. They are very accommodating for our group.
We have both put on weight despite trying to be circumspect with what we eat, virtually no bread or biscuit type food, yet we have piled on pounds, it must be butter and cream in the cooking. Scrambled eggs with gravadlax and smoked salmon should be kind to the waistline, no toast with them. Fruit, yoghurt and black coffee. Writing that has made my tummy rumble! Paying off here in Floro, next stop gala dinner in Hemsedal, a shorter drive through the mountains, three mountain passes on the route, 412kms.

If anyone wanted a route I have the gpx files of the legs.

 

[King Rat]

Just arrived at Hemsedal, Fyri Resort - staright out of camera, no liftiing the shadows or anything, so they will be better....

We got to drive the famous Gaulfarfjellet mountain pass





Then the Tindervegan and across the Haardanger Vidda. Iconic.







Got to shave and get dressed for the gala dinner now. What a privilidge and experience. This hotel must be a £500/night touch!

 

[King Rat]

Last day today and another stunning mountain pass, across open moors, then another on gravel through the trees, very steep, very tight hairpins, the Bentleys were flying until then, 3 point turns to get round some of the hairpins, others they were powersliding round! The trouble was we were behind and the support truck was between us, so I couldn't get anything from it.





Stopped in their tracks by cows crossing the road. It made for a great photo though.



Onwards again. It gave us time o get into a different position. The Merc is very difficult to photograph, it is so big, on these tight roads it needs a 28mm to get it all in.

 

[King Rat]

Now ensconced in thr 'Sommerro' in Oslo. More high flyer haunts, not our usual level.

Japanese grub tonight. I think we will need to go out to eat afterwards. I want feeding, not flavour and fashion. Some of TinyTim's chips would be good!

 

[King Rat]

On our way home today. Oslo to Lubeck, overnight stop then an easy leg to the overnight Hook - Harwich ferry.

Down the stairs!

 

[Oldrat]

Brilliant trip report Simon, I’ve enjoyed following your antics and the tribulations of trying to get in position for ‘that’ shot.

Thanks for sharing

 

[King Rat]

Leaving our hotel in Oslo, the Sommero. A former power station built by the nazis, hence the swastikas on the gates.




Those gates





Breakfast in the turbine room.



Fun in the bathroom!



Another ferry, the Puttengarten link between Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein



Dinner in the old town of Lubeck, alongside the moat. Biers and schnitzel.

 

[gerarddwatts]

Thanks Simon...enjoyed your trip!

 

[King Rat]

On our way to the ferry we called in to Arnhem. We are definitely coming back to spend more time looking around. We only had an hour.
The cathedral is being given a complete makeover.




It is only a 5 minute walk to 'The Bridge'. Beware the funnelweb spiders in the hedge just before the bridge starts.



There is a poignant memorial to Lt-Col Frost, a portrait of him made up of pointilist portrait photographs of the people who died during the battle for Arnhem.





There was no way I could drive so close and not go and pay my respects and see the bridge.





At the ferry now and the wind is picking up nicely. I do like a rough crossing, it keeps the facilities quieter for getting food and drink! We have an outside cabin, so I doubt I shall see much of Anna. She is knackered and a rough crossing will be the final straw! I'm OK, we have a litre of Bombay and a case of tonic left.

 

[Tinytim]

On our way to the ferry we called in to Arnhem. We are definitely coming back to spend more time looking around. We only had an hour.
The cathedral is being given a complete makeover.

View attachment 427742
View attachment 427743

It is only a 5 minute walk to 'The Bridge'. Beware the funnelweb spiders in the hedge just before the bridge starts.

View attachment 427745

There is a poignant memorial to Lt-Col Frost, a portrait of him made up of pointilist portrait photographs of the people who died during the battle for Arnhem.

View attachment 427744
View attachment 427746
View attachment 427747

There was no way I could drive so close and not go and pay my respects and see the bridge.

View attachment 427748
View attachment 427749
View attachment 427750

At the ferry now and the wind is picking up nicely. I do like a rough crossing, it keeps the facilities quieter for getting food and drink! We have an outside cabin, so I doubt I shall see much of Anna. She is knackered and a rough crossing will be the final straw! I'm OK, we have a litre of Bombay and a case of tonic left.

Fantastic trip Simon and thanks for sharing it.

 

[glenn2926]

What a trip. Thanks for the fantastic pictures and write up. I toured some of Norway a couple of years ago and it is a great country to travel through. I would eventually like a classic car and would love to tour in it. Your pictures have me thinking.

 

[Doc]

Great trip Simon

 

[snelly]

On our way to the ferry we called in to Arnhem. We are definitely coming back to spend more time looking around. We only had an hour.
The cathedral is being given a complete makeover.

View attachment 427742
View attachment 427743

It is only a 5 minute walk to 'The Bridge'. Beware the funnelweb spiders in the hedge just before the bridge starts.

View attachment 427745

There is a poignant memorial to Lt-Col Frost, a portrait of him made up of pointilist portrait photographs of the people who died during the battle for Arnhem.

View attachment 427744
View attachment 427746
View attachment 427747

There was no way I could drive so close and not go and pay my respects and see the bridge.

View attachment 427748
View attachment 427749
View attachment 427750

At the ferry now and the wind is picking up nicely. I do like a rough crossing, it keeps the facilities quieter for getting food and drink! We have an outside cabin, so I doubt I shall see much of Anna. She is knackered and a rough crossing will be the final straw! I'm OK, we have a litre of Bombay and a case of tonic left.

What a very fitting and clever memorial;

 

[Big Geordi]

What an adventure cracking pics and write up