Sweden, Stockholm and Oslo

Hello everyone

The Oresund Bridge (19km long) is quite a bridge, and would have offered stunning views if it weren’t for the rain and mist……

Sweden’s typical spring is wet so we drove in the rain up the coast to Gothenburg then cross country to Stockholm. We parked (and stayed over) at the King and Queen’s residence at Drottningholm Palace – a beautiful place with extensive gardens which are free to explore, where we strolled past King Carl XVI Gustav walking his dog one evening.



Stockholm has old city charm and is big enough just to wander around and enjoy the sights. Gamla Stan has an old town square with narrow ginnels running from it, the Royal Palace is huge (although they live over at Drottningholm) and the Parliament building sits on its own island.

From Stockholm we headed west to Norway and Oslo, arriving on their National Day, so some buildings were closed to the public, but plenty of locals were in their national dress. The Opera House is a striking building with a sloping roof which you are encouraged to walk on offering views of the harbour.

 Across on the other side of the city is Vigeland Sculpture Park which was impressive - main sculpture pictured.

Back on the road, we headed east to the fjords. Climbing through the hills via tunnels was bizarre – and from the top it was like entering Narnia! We’re walking up the well-known Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) tomorrow – a 4-5 hour hike, but the promised views should be worth it.

 

Will post again next week - love to all

Denmark and Copenhagen

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We spent the early part of this week along the Kiel Canal which connects the North and Baltic seas. We found a picturesque camping spot next to the chain ferry accross the canal and watched the huge container ships glide past before cycling along the canal to Rendsburg – Lancaster is only 812km from here!

Then Denmark… its been raining pretty much every day during our time here. Taking the scenic (and very windy) road between the Ringkobing Fjord and the North Sea, we headed up through Jutland towards Aalborg then south to Arhus, before eastwards to Funen Island. Then across the Store Baelt bridge onto Zealand.

The Viking ship museum at Roskilde was excellent – the preserved remains of 5 ships (oldest was built in 1042!) are on display, and the life-size replica of the longship which sailed to Ireland and back in 2006/7 was moored.

Copenhagen was great – only 18 minutes by train from our free camping spot overlooking a nature reserve. Best bits were the Marmokirken’s (marble church) beautiful dome, the excellent pre-history section of the National Museum, and the city views from the Round Tower. Probably life-size, the   Little Mermaid isn’t as impressive as expected.

The Eurovision band wagon was also in full flow ready for the finals this weekend. Next, the Oresund Bridge and Sweden

Will post again next week - love to all

Northern Germany

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We left Berlin with a heavy heart but lighter ‘van – the bikes had been stolen from the bike shed at the local train station – locked together so a real BOGOF steal and we were despondent (especially Peter as they were his Marin mountain and Carrera hybrid bikes – my cheapo safely back in England).

However, onwards and northwards towards Rostock where we picked up a pair of his ‘n‘ hers bikes and headed for Lubeck – a beautiful old town with a welcoming feel and the comfortable-looking sagging Holstentor. We were there on their bank holiday – all shops closed and a lunchtime march by the local workers union by the looks of it. Amongst this though, a band dressed as pirates with fishing nets dangling from their glockenspiels playing a rousing tune!

 

 

 

Then on to Hamburg – an industrial port with no real draw, apart from the Russian submarine museum which was fascinating. Those sailors must have been 5’ tall to stand upright in there.

Throughout the journey north, the landscape has become flatter with Dutch-looking buildings, the weather cooler and there’s less of a German-feel. We’re camped on the fish market harbour (no smell though!) where our GB plate is attracting quite a bit of interest parked amongst the German and Dutch vans!

Will post again next week - love to all



 

P.S. Gregg – Peter said “I’ve seen the future – it’s me, a lager, sand and boats” ……… NOT!!  

Berlin

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Technical difficulties last week, so here's the photos of Colditz and our overnight stop at Meissen.







Well the highlight of this week is most definitely Berlin. We are camped on an official campsite just on the outskirts, taking the efficient double decker train into the centre. We have experienced the well known sites both on our own and via a walking tour which offered extra info we hadn't gleaned from the guide books! Special mention goes to the magnificent Brandenburg Tor, the beautiful Berliner Dom (cathedral) and of course The Wall. Walking through the Holocaust Memorial was a moving experience, as was our trip to the Sachsenhausen Concentration camp a couple of days before.

Having walked for miles in the hot sunny weather, we walked for more in search of the recommended hausbrauerei (micro-brewery) where we sampled a well deserved couple of pints of weissbier (white beer) and cider. Whilst they weren't as good as his favourite Pint from Marble brewery, Peter gave them his seal of approval!

Belated Happy St George's Day - we put up our Union Jack bunting for the day (best we cold manage!)

Will post again next week - love to all

Germany -what a beautiful country

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We drove north from Iserlohn to Hamelin to see the rat catchers house,  museum and the town hall where a series of glockenspiel bells chime a tune twice a day - we were treat to the River Weser tune which was magical.  We continue to use the free or low cost stellplatze overnight which are often entertaining - we've had a drill by the local fire brigade next to the van, and the police marking out a route for a cycling proficiently course around the 5vans on there.
Eisenach with its beautiful Wartburg castle (tours in German only) was a lovely place,  then on to Colditz castle - by chance we arrived on the exact day 69 years after the Americans arrived to liberate the prisoners.  After an excellent tour learning about their escape plans and tunnels,  determination and ingenuity,  we escaped ourselves and headed to Meissen famous for its porcelain.  Overnight we parked overlooking the cathedral and castle for free!
Dresden was spectacular - the beautiful Frauenkirche which was destroyed in 1945 and rebuilt has the most exquisite interior , and Zwinger palace with its chiming Meissen porcelain bells. The sun shone and we dined on currywurst sausage and apple cake overlooking the River Elbe.

Wishing you all a Happy Easter

Will post again next week - love to all

We have arrived! !

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well here we are in Europe!! We want to thank you all for your many cards, gifts and good wishes for our trip - they made it a little harder to say farewell, but were very kind and thoughtful. We sailed from Hull on Tuesday - the weather was kind and the crossing calm, but that didn't stop us from hitting the bar to ensure a good nights sleep. Bottled beers but Peter did find a tasty Indian pale ale which did the trick. The band were better than expected and a Tuesday sailing meant the anticipated stag dos were thankfully missing. We were raring to go stepping into the van, but the battery was flat after leaving the fridge on.  P + O staff kindly jump started us and escorted us off ( last. ..Thank goodness it wasn't sailing back in a hurry! )
Once on the move, the sat nav refused to work ( still doesn't so relying on my map reading skills ) we headed for the bulb fields - a riot of colour and sweet smell of hundreds of thousands of tulips and hyacinths(pictured)
Yesterday, went to Amsterdam then on to the royal palace Het Loo (Pictured above -the Versailles of the Netherlands). Having blown the budget so far, we free camped at the border. Germany next.
Will post again soon - love to all

Well.... the house is sold and we're ready to go!
Perhaps see you in the snug for a farewell drink or 2 - we'll be there Friday 4th and Saturday 5th April.