Every day is a winding road …

A few years back, following our big trip to Austria in Lucy, our 1963 Humber Sceptre (lucysbigaustriatrip.wordpress.com if you need to catch up), a friend showed us a picture of the Lysevegen in Norway. Today was the day for us to experience the real thing!

An early start to get us on the road early, as we needed to recharge the car for the day ahead.

At breakfast, Moya was confused as to my real identity. My normal breakfast consists mainly of sweet “stuff”, Granola, fruit, yoghurt and maybe toast with marmalade.

This morning I sat down beside her with a plate of bread, butter and a selection of marinated herrings and prawns. I just couldn’t resist. Delicious!

Out on the road and south to the outskirts of Stavanger, to a bank of 20 Ionity chargers. We subscribe to the Audi Charging service at home, so I brought their charge card, which worked seamlessly and gave us 3 Nor Kr/ kWh instead of 5.4 Kroner. 3 Kr is cheaper than our domestic electric daytime rate. Result!

Onwards, up narrower and narrower roads until we were on a single track road with passing places. Thankfully the roads were quiet. The scenery, by this point, looked more like a Star Trek movie set than planet Earth. (See pictures).

Finally, we turned onto the Lysevegen, heading for the little village of Lysebotn at the head of the Fjord. Until the road was built in 1990, it was only accessible by sea. The road consists of 27 hairpin bends and a 900 metre descent. Near the bottom, there was insufficient room for enough hairpins, so they tunneled into the mountainside far enough that, by putting one hairpin in the tunnel, they could descend far enough to reach the bottom. All this on a single track with passing places. Before descending we stopped at the viewpoint cafe for coffee and cake. Very nice, although paling into insignificance when paired with the views.

The weather was great, blinks of sunshine and very light cloud. Moya and I have been doing a bit of Duolingo Norwegian, and have discovered the have words for a pre-party party and words for an after-party party. On that vein, we came upon a couple of pre-hairpin hairpins, just before the main descent.

We made it down and took a walk around the village/waterfront.   Then, guess what? We had to drive back up again! Oh dear! 🤣🤣

Continued on to our next overnight stop. Hovden is a winter Ski resort, of relatively modest proportions. We had booked into a Ski lodge, Norwegian style. Wooden frontage with turf roof. Quite rustic, but friendly staff, very good food and basic but perfectly acceptable rooms.

Tomorrow we head for Vossevangen, Hotel Elva, which has its own electric vehicle chargers. We will find out how that goes. Oh, and just because it’s Saturday, there is a seven course taster menu in the restaurant. It really can be a tough life!!

Last night’s hotel. Our room was the windows just under “RIA”

The “pylons” bringing the power lines up from Lysebotn Power Station

The village from the viewpoint.

The road down to the valley floor.

The viewpoint cafe at the top of the Lysevegen.

The fjord from Lysebotn.

Our room for tonight.

The food in Hovden Fjelstoge Hotel.

Islands in the stream …

A tribute to Dolly.

Last night we went out to Fjellskål seafood restaurant, part of the huge Fish Market complex. It put all of Tuesday’s food disasters to shame. The food was fantastic.

Breakfast this morning was busy, but we managed to get some brunost, a Norwegian goat cheese. When I was a student in Edinburgh, in 1972, I shared a flat with a couple of 1st year Civil Eng. students, one of whom was Norwegian. After every trip home, he would bring back Ekte Geitost, (Real Goat Cheese). So for breakfast we had toast with Geitost and Strawberry Jam. Delicious! Nowadays I don’t like Strawberry Jam, so this morning we had Blueberry Jam. It was OK, but not quite as good as back then. 🤣. Ah, nostalgia! It’s not what it used to be!

Taxi then to the car hire place. We got a brand new Skoda Elroq. Not quite up to our Audi Q6 e-tron, but it gets from A to B.

Headed south for Stavanger, a trip of some 210km (130 miles), including about 10 tunnels, numerous bridges and two ferry trips. These ferries run constantly, one each way, passing each other mid way. Basically, you drive into the marshaling area and, when the ferry comes in and unloads, you then drive on, an ANPR camera notes your reg. number and it is added to your account, or in our case, back to the car hire company, who then add it to our bill. So simple. Once the marshaling area is empty, they shut the bow doors and set off. The first ferry was around 45 minutes, the second one around 15 minutes. They are the same, front and back, so just go one way south and reverse way north, no turning round involved. You drive on one end and off the other.

Lunch, Moya had planned a detour into a small town to a good cafe for a light bight. The rain had started in earnest by this point, so after finally finding a car park, we walked seven minutes back to the cafe. Very busy, and good coffee with a yeast dough bun filled with a set custard. Moya was delighted.

Back out onto the E39, heading south.

Eventually we reached Stavanger and a visit to the Sverd i fjell, a monument commemorating the Battle of Hartford in the year 872. The swords are made of bronze, stand 10 metres tall and are set into the solid rock, so they can never be removed.

Finally, into our hotel, the Hotel Viktoria, again situated almost on the harbour front.

Quite a day!

See you tomorrow for some hairpin bends. 😃

Moya sizing these up to see if they’ll go in her suitcase!

The “coming-and-going” ferries meet

Ekte Geitost with Blueberry Jam!

Høyt over sentrum, det vakreste fjell, Fløyen gjør byen vår så spesiell

Well, here we are in Bergen. Today’s header song is a Norwegian ditty about going up the Fløybanen funicular to the hill overlooking Bergen.

But, to our tale! Today was another early start, with a bit of bad luck and a bit of good luck. Went down to breakfast in the Holiday Inn, resplendent in my yellow “Jim Clark” tee shirt. Usually start the day with granola, fruit and yoghurt. As usual in Holiday Inn, it was a red Berry compost. Second spoonful heading to my mouth, a piece of granola fell off into the red syrup and one tiny splash hit slap bang in the middle of my pristine tee. Aaarrggghhh! Ah well, hopefully no one will notice.

Walked over to the airport to retrieve our suitcases from “left luggage”. All went well. On through security (which was extremely quiet). Approached the scanner archway to be told I would have to put my wallet out of my pocket into a tray for the scanner. Stepped through the scanner. All OK, so I went to retrieve my stuff from the conveyor belt, only to realise I was still wearing my watch!!! No one had noticed and the machine hadn’t bleeped. Hmm, security!

Through to duty free where Moya decided she needed some “pong-nice” stuff. While she was perusing the shelves an assistant handed her a “win £100” voucher redeemable at checkout. She won! Naively I asked what she was going to spend her winnings on, only to be told she already had!! 🤣

Flight went without any problems and we arrived in Bergen. A courier met us at the exit and whisked us through to our Hotel, giving a good tour guide chat on the way.

Left our luggage at the hotel and went wandering.

Bergen is a vibrant, bustling city. It used to be the Capital of Norway, before Oslo became Capital. The street Fish market was incredible. Then decided to head up the Fløybanen. Fantastic views over the city. Into the restaurant at the top for lunch. Very nice Mussels for Moya and a Fish Soup for Bob. All washed down with a Hardanger Cider.

Wandered round at the top to see the panoramic views before heading back down. Strolled along the harbour to the Rosenkrantz Tower, before realising we were both exhausted, so finished checking into hotel and had a short nap!

Our room looks straight onto the harbour front.

Moya has booked a table at a seafood restaurant just round the corner.

Oh, final thought. Last night, Moya’s food debacle continued. We both ordered a Rare Rump Steak from the Holiday Inn menu. When it arrived, mine was more Medium-rare, but Moya’s was a thinner steak and was definitely “well done”, so she sent it back, and had it replaced with a very nice Rare one!!!

Yes, the Nelson’s are staying at the Hotel Admiral 😂

Orkney! Only 300 miles.

It rained.

I wanna live my life like a work of art …

Right! We’re off.

Early start this morning. Up at 4am, out the door at 5.30. Flight to Aberdeen at 7.30. All went according to plan.

Breakfast in Aberdeen airport, then Moya decided on a bit of “kulchur”. Into the Aberdeen Art Gallery. Wandered round, found some wooden spoons made in the 1980s by our friend Jon Thompson (from Yellowbird Gallery in Birsay) when he was living and working in Alford in Aberdeenshire. Moya knew about them being displayed, from an earlier visit to the gallery.

Moya had seen that there was a special exhibition of Automaton art. Some was brilliant, some quite simple, but all fascinating. Moya’s favourite had two tiny figures Fencing.

Decided we needed some sustenance, so we paid a visit to the Gallery Cafe. I ordered a Baked Tattie with Mexican Spicy Chilli Beans which was a bit disappointing, not at all spicy! Almost sweet, if anything, but it was hot and filled a space in my belly. Moya, having been refused a child’s portion of Mac ‘n Cheese, opted for Smoked Salmon Quiche. After a long delay, a Filo wrapped parcel was delivered, with apologies for the delay. Filo had gone soggy and the Smoked Salmon was scarce! The glass of Pigot Grigio was nice though!

Out then into a brief blink of sunshine, onto the airport bus and out to the airport Holiday Inn for a short nap before, hopefully, something more enjoyable “fur wur tea”

Fly to Bergen in the morning, so tomorrow nights post will be in Norwegian!!

In the Hall of the Mountain King …

Hi to all our fans!

Moya and I are off on another wee jaunt, north and east this time. We are off to Norway on Tuesday.

Fara goes to her 5 star accommodation on Monday, then we fly down to Aberdeen early on Tuesday, have a day in Aberdeen, and fly to Bergen on Wednesday.

We are hiring a car (electric, of course. This year in Norway, 97% of new cars sold are electric). We are there for two weeks, driving from Bergen down to Stavanger then northwards up as far as Ålesund, then back south, finishing back at Bergen Airport.

So keep watching this blog for updates on our adventure.

❤

Bob and Moya

The colors of the rainbow, So pretty in the sky Are also on the faces Of people going by, I see friends shaking hands …

Ok, final post for this trip. Quiet day in Crail, yesterday. Met up with Fiona and Alex in Anstruther, at the Ox and Anchor (or as we prefer, the Frog and Cheetah, for all the Brokenwood fans). A quick wander round Anstruther, then back to Crail for coffee.

Finished preparing for early departure this morning.

Off up the road at 8.15 this morning. Quick visit to the kids to drop off John-Robert’s birthday present, then back on the road.

Fairly full charge at Perth, while Moya hit M&S. Did my good deed, by showing a fellow EVer how to start his first “wild” charge. He’d only ever charged at home where you just plug in and off it goes. Thankfully, everything worked and he was quickly charging.

On up to Inverness for a top up to get us home. Another cry for help from a tourist with a hire car, wondering how to stop the charge in order to get on his way. Again, successful instruction!

Moya has an idea for my Christmas present … a hi-viz jacket with “happy to help” written on the back! 🤣😇

Sitting now, waiting for boat home. Should be home around 9pm.

3015 miles in total over 20 day trip.

Take the last train to Clarksville, I’ll be waiting at the station. We’ll have time for coffee flavored kisses, And a bit of conversation …

Bit choppy on the boat last night, but with the help of a couple of Nelson’s Travella anti seasick pills, we managed a three course meal (which was very good) then bed!

Into Newcastle this morning, and the inevitable wait to get off the boat. Passport control, very pleasant, chatty person, asking how our holiday was, while checking passports. Thumbs up, we are through. Now into the Custom’s Shed. Waved straight through. Damn, we could have brought twice as much wine! 🤣

Onto the road North. The weather was what we expect in UK. Chucking it down!

First stop was Ionity chargers at Alnwick. Busy, but as we were turning to park up, one came free. Straight on, but only pulling 85kW instead of 150kW we expect. After 15 minutes a couple of other people finish charging. Our charge rate instantly goes up to 140kW, so obviously this charge hub, with six charge points, is constrained by how much power can be delivered to the hub. We continue charging at around 135kW and soon have enough range to get to Crail.

Our friend Susie (yes we have another friend!), had recommended the Barter Books shop in Alnwick. Firstly, it is in an old railway station building, secondly it has lots of books, thirdly, it has a very good cafe/restaurant, but mainly (hee, hee, excited) it has an overhead model railway layout, hence today’s header picture and song lyric.

Back on the road, the rain eventually stopped, but the traffic jams started. As usual, around Edinburgh was very slow, but soon, over the Firth of Forth, things smoothed out and it was plain sailing into Crail. Quick stop at the “chippy”, then down to Sauchope, to our Lodge.

Refreshed by too much wine, catch up on Masterchef, then bed.

What a fantastic holiday. I LOVE THIS CAR. Driving electric is so relaxing, smooth and effortless. All you petrolheads out there, give it a try, you won’t want to go back to Infernal Combustion Engine. It feels so primitive, after driving electric!

It’s a long way down the holiday road, holiday road …

Another early start to try and beat the traffic / roadworks. Unfortunately the trucks had the same idea.

However, the traffic wasn’t too dense and the roadworks few and far between.

Then we reached Netherlands with it’s 100km/h speed limit. Basically, imagine a five lane car park moving at 60mph! You got it!

340km today, so a quick charge with coffee and cake about halfway, then arrived at Ijmuiden at 12.30. Perfect.

On the boat now just waiting to finish loading. Dinner at 6.30pm.

Tomorrow we’ll be back in Blighty and head north to Crail.

this picture reminded me of a joke – a blond sets off from Edinburgh heading for Glasgow. Her husband hears a report of someone driving the wrong way on the M8, so phones her to warn her, at which point she replies “one person driving the wrong way? There’s hundreds of them!” Drops mike. Gets his coat! (Can you hear my wife “tutting”) 🤣😇🥰

Life in the fast lane …

581 km today, spent mainly in the fast lane, either at 30km/h in a string of solid traffic, through roadworks, or two minutes later, at 130km/h with hardly another vehicle in sight! Weird!

Not much else to say, really. Left Hotel Hubertushof at 8.30am and arrived at Schloss Burgbrohl at 16.30.

That’s all!

Tomorrow is only 342km, so we’ll get an early start and try to make good time, roadworks permitting!

What do you see, you people, gazing at me …

What did we see? Thousands of people gazing at selfies!

Yep, the hordes were out at Neuschwanstein, all taking picture of themselves against a backdrop of the castle, preening and posing! I expect a few were “influencers”, posing for the gullible “influencees” (is that actually a word?) Walking backwards, bumping into people. One even tripped backwards over a bench and landed fair and square on her bum! Ouch! She grinned and moved on quickly, but I’m sure it must have hurt. 🤣

Moya had pre-booked an “English” tour (English language, not nationality) 😆 So we set off in plenty of time, so were able to walk to the Marienbrücke, the bridge above the castle, then down to a kiosk for a “coffee”, before heading into the entrance courtyard. An automated QR code turnstile allows entry to the Schloss, but we had time to get a few pictures in the courtyard before our tour time. (Pictures are not allowed inside, possibly so they can make a little more money by selling you the guidebook!!) (Oh cynical old me)

when in Rome …

Having climbed up numerous spiral stairs, coffees and cakes were required.

Then, having taken the bus up from the village to the Schloss, we decided to get some exercise, by walking down!

Back to the Hotel to write the blog and get packed. Start for home tomorrow, up to Schloss Burgbrohl tomorrow, to Ijmuiden to the Ferry on Thursday and up to Crail on Friday. Final leg home on Sunday.