2023 Norway, France/Cornwall

 Norway - 15 May to 20 July 2023

This is one trip that we have purposely left until we had an appropriate traveling machine. It was definitely necessary on the journey up, with high wind and torrential rain thorough northern Germany and Denmark (especially over the two major bridges, where I basically had to steer left the whole way over to keep in a straight line). But as soon as we crossed into Denmark the wind dropped, the sun came out and we had blue skies for almost the entire month.

To avoid complications (with Ruby) and give us maximum flexibility we took Le Shuttle as usual and drove up, taking a rather boring 7 days to Denmark, stopping for extra days at Hasmark and Varberg.

We then drove west, through Nottoden, where there is a large Motorhome Parking area with a hut serving exceptional Thai food. Keeping west to Roldal and then north as far as Kristiansund (with a few detours on the way) where we headed back east towards the center and looping back to Nottoden for another Thai take-away.

We returned by more or less the same route, except for a detour to a campsite near Lubeck for 4 days and then to a Motorhome Parking area at a Bowling Alley for 2 nights to look around Lubeck and visit the Cathedral to see the largest mechanical organ in the world. (Many years ago I went to an organ recital there, the sound was incredible). And then home

 Our first stop in Norway, in a boat yard.

We were soon up in the frozen wastes

Then down to Roldal with glorious sunshine

With a beautiful wooden church just down the road

That's one way to avoid visitors!

The snow is rapidly melting now

And then back along a frozen lake

Hopperstadt Medievel Stave Church with origins dating back to 1150

Heading north

Down into the valleys

And up over the tops

Another stave church in Lom

Apparently this is a Waterfall in Lom

An old foot bridge a bit further down river in Lom

Again over the frozen wastes  of Breidalsvatnet

Towards Geiranger

Which is now down below

And again north through another fabulous valley

Didn't know they had smurfs in Norway!

Driving over the Atlantic Road from Vevang Kristiansund.

With amazing bridges spanning numerous tiny islands

Staying at Runde where we walked down to the cliffs to watch the puffins

And then back over the bridges

Verydifficult to get a good shot without a drone

Making our way via Vang, probably the best camp site we have ever staid at!

Gorgeous weather and stunning views

And a fabulous little restaurant via a bridge from the site

Returning home via Lübeck

And visiting the largest mechanical organ in the world, in Lubeck Cathedral. 

I once went to an organ recital here during a visit to a work colleague

France/Cornwall - 8 September to 11 October 2023

In order to utilise our remaining 24 days(out of our brexit induced 90 day limmit we went back to Lormes in France, where we stopped by accident for a few days a few years ago. And then went straight to Cornwall for a family weekend with the kids etc.