Month: July 2022

Quick trip up to see Zoom and Norma with Toby. Chopped down some of the massive hedge outside their kitchen window, then headed home.

One night at Camping De Boogaard – a funky campsite outside Gouda – last stop before the ferry the next day from Hook of Holland. Right by a canal, very laid back and friendly. Only 20 Euros a night, with a rowing boat and canoes you could borrow. Had an early morning paddle before heading off to catch the ferry back to Harwich. We might head back there next year!

Drove south through Denmark into Germany. A night at a big camping park north of Hamburg. Expensive at 46€ a night but we had a massive pitch. Right next to IKEA which was handy for WiFi and cheap tea. The most posh washing up facilities. Nightmare trying to get out of Hamburg due to the motorway being closed. Then a long drive to Holland.

Three nights at Lindesnes Campsite on the south coast. Great little site, more like a proper campsite. Right by a little rocky inlet where we went swimming. On the second day we walked to the lighthouse about 3 miles away, at the most southerly point on the Norwegian mainland. This is cast iron and built in 1915. Amazing place and a big tourist attraction with cafes, mini museums, visitor centres, cinema and some bunker tunnels built during the 2nd WW when it was taken over by the Germans and turned into small fortress with 4 guns. Went swimming in a Fjord on the way back to the campsite which was bliss. Next day went to see Under – the submerged restaurant just outside Spangereid which was pretty freaky! Not going to eat there as the set meal was over £200 a head, and it was fully booked for months! Drove back to the lighthouse and did a walk around the rocky coast. Then headed off super early to get the ferry from Kristiansands to Hirtshals in Denmark.

A night at a big expensive holiday park on the coast, next to some woods. It was quite nice actually, a lot more attractive than the parking lot last night. Got here quite early and walked into Mandal around the beautiful harbour full of expensive looking boats. Lou went for a walk and a swim in the sea.

An overnighter at a mobile home parking lot in Flekkefjord. Just a stopover really. Slightly weird place, full of lines of mostly large white mobile homes. It is basically a large car park with lines of parking for motorhomes. Had a look round the little town and harbour, and then headed off early the next day.

Single night at Skadverg campsite. Tempted to wild it next door but fancied hot showers and toilets ! Grassy pitch overlooking the coast, with rows of white static caravans just further inland. It was lovely to have some sun today after a few days of wet weather. Went to see the two old houses built under the rocks at Helleren. Steep, twisty and narrow mountain roads, and of course more fjords, and then east around the coast onto Flekkefjord.

Two nights at Preikestolen campsite, 5km from the start of the trail to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock). Sunshine and massive showers till the second night, with the campsite turning into a bit of a lake! We sat it out and then headed off at 5.30am on departure day to drive up to the big car park at the start of the trail to Preikestolen. About 2.5 hours up to the plateau rock that is a 604m sheer drop to Lysefjorden below. Some pretty steep rocky steps and wooden walkways across marshelands. Totally amazing views and not too busy as we had got there so early. Lou did a swim in a little lake on the way down. Drove further south to Skadverg Campsite on the south coast, going through about 30 tunnels along the way and a ferry crossing in the middle of a main road.

One night at Trolltunga Campsite in Ossa. Just had to turn up and were lucky to get the last spot. Beautiful roast salmon for tea. A bit wet and rainy still. Then headed south towards Pulpits Rock and hopefully less rain! Amazing drive along narrow fjord roads and though about 30 tunnels that were hewn out of the mountainsides.

Stopped at Bratland Camping for 2 nights, just east of Bergen, on the shores of Søylevatnet Fjord. Brilliant little spot at the top of a terraced site, with our own little terrace. Both did a swim in the sun. Headed off into Bergen on the bus and tram. Walked around the touristy old town with wooden buildings and around the harbour. Some really big cruise ships. Went up the funicular and wandered round the woods at the top. Funky little tree house that you can rent and went in a free canoe in the lake. Walked back down to the town. Then after leaving Bergen went to Mørkhølsfossen waterfalls which were just off the road, Steinsdalsfossen falls which you could walk behind, and Vøringsfossen waterfalls which were into a spectacular valley. Then onto Troll Tunga Campsite.

After a long drive north spent one night at Aarhus Camping on the outskirts of town. Big commercial site full of motorhomes, but still nice and green. Lou had a little swim in their pool. Went to the The Infinite Bridge by Varna and Ballehage Beach in Aarhus a short walk down the coast from Aarhus harbour and looked around the funky little harbour. Drove up to Hirtshals at the very top of Denmark. Went to the beach and parked the van on the sands. Had a little tea with the table and chairs out before heading off to the ferry. Long ferry trip from Hirtshals up the west coast of Norway to Bergen. Ferry left at 9pm on Sunday and arrived around midday on Monday. Tiny little cabin but ferry was pretty cool. Massive breakfast.

Overnight ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland. We had a little cabin! Wake up call at 5.30am 😮 then a drive across Holland into Germany. One night at Coppel campsite near to the Weser river. It was like a mini town with rows of caravans that looked pretty permanent! Lou did a couple of swims in the river. Then we had a long long drive up north through Germany and into Denmark to Aarhus.