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  1. #1
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    Default Overland to Scandinavia and more! Spring 2017

    Overland to Scandinavia and more!
    Spring 2017


    Preview

    With the back of the ‘TinTent’ now fully repaired and fully serviced, and my pair of ‘itchy feet’, we are off on the tour mentioned above, which has taken around 4 months to put together.

    This time however we are including a mini cruise to St Petersburg, which is a city we have wanted to see for some time and the cruise starts in Helsinki while ‘Flamenco Red’ and the ‘TinTent’ are taking a short rest/vacation, and staying there as we ‘cruise’ over the Baltic Sea for about 48 hours in St Petersburg!

    After which and our return we then set off on the next stage that takes us from Helsinki in Finland across the Baltic Sea into Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania as we continue South to Poland and a trip on a strange Canal, where we are invited to ‘Go Sailing Over the Grass’ then over to Gdansk also in Poland, for a look around this famous city, but more about that a bit later!

    Here is the route to our most Northerly point which is a small village at the top of the Lofoten Islands in Norway, while at the moment there are still some places on the way there that are experiencing temperatures at night of down to -12C and the daytimes are sometimes ‘Snowy’!
    ‘Thermal Vest & Longjohns’ were the first items to be packed after I saw the weather along the way! Trust me!!!…….



    This is the side trip ‘Cruise’ to St Petersburg which we hope is not too ‘lumpy’!.....



    While this is the route after getting back to Helsinki then the Ferry across to Tallinn and the route back home via the Baltic States……



    I will mention that a significant number of the places we will be stopping at, do not have any Internet or Wi-Fi access so updates will not be as frequent as previous travel blogs.

    So if you are up for it then come and join us once again in the ‘Third Seat’ of our Swedish Tug ‘Flamenco Red’ as we trundle along.
    You are more than welcome and we hope you enjoy the tour!

  2. #2
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    Looking forward to the trip.

    Sure hope that the weather gets warmer real fast for you.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by ssicarman View Post
    Looking forward to the trip.

    Sure hope that the weather gets warmer real fast for you.
    Thanks ssicarman!

    I am also fingers crossed for a weather improvement as I only posses 1 pair of Thermal's!!!

  4. #4
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    Overland to Scandinavia and more!
    Spring 2017


    South Wales (UK) to France

    As the trip down to the Eurotunnel Train has been covered many times before, then the only bit unless something dramatic turns up, is crossing over the Second Severn River Crossing and NOT having to pay a toll to ‘Exit Stage Left’ over the Bridge, and out of Wales!



    Once out of Wales we enter the first ‘Foreign Country’!...



    After a couple of hours we then come to the M25 that is the ‘Freeway’ that circles London and I am glad we were going the anticlockwise way today as we saw the nose to tail stack of vehicles going clockwise!....



    Next stop after a quick bite to eat at Chobham Services on the M25 was at the Eurotunnel Check-In……



    Then around 1 hour later we were making our way down to the train and getting onboard, but at least the time allowed me to change over the headlight settings for driving on the ‘wrong side of the road’!...



    As we went into the Terminal we spotted a display that was headed up as the picture below…….



    I must admit that the answer seemed rather simple: “You go in one end, and come out the other, and you don’t get wet!”

    Then we are out and having got off the train we head off onto the ‘Exit Road’…….



    While we then heads off to a right slip road and the very large shopping and fuel fill up area called Cite Europe that also has an Aires that you can spend the night in…..



    As we make our way around to firstly the fuel station we are passed by these two rather nice open topped sports cars! Very nice but no room for the luggage and our 11Kg of Porridge required for this trip!





    That though completed the 1st Stage of this trip, while the next one is one of the longest we have travelled in a day as we normally try to make a limit of 250 Miles but as tomorrow is a Sunday and a lot of the Heavy Goods Vehicles cannot travel then we are travelling for 340 miles…..
    So it’s an EARLY Start!......

  5. #5
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    Overland to Scandinavia and more!
    Spring 2017


    France to Germany

    06:30hrs this morning, just as daylight is beginning to come out and we are off on the 340 Miles to the town of Bramsche and the campsite called Waldwinkel, and as we got on the road and put a few miles behind us that wonderful ‘Pink Glow’ started to appear in front of us called SUNRISE!……







    With the last one for today as it started to get a lot brighter……



    While being ‘Sunday’ we found that when we pulled into a Service Area to try and get breakfast all the long parking slots were occupied with the ‘Sunday Stationery Trucks’ which cannot travel unless they have a special or perishable load!...



    Water tower…….(I know it looks like the 'Leaning Tower of Pisa' but it was the camera, the tower was upright!!)



    Sports or concert arena!



    The entrance to the Kennedy Tunnel in Antwerp, Belgium…..



    As we get back out in the countryside the weather brightens up a bit, but we were not to know that it wouldn’t last!.....



    High Tech Campus, Eindhoven. The slim ‘black strips’ looked a bit like small Solar Panels……



    Don’t see many of these combinations on the road these days…..



    Then we ran into the rain, which lasted for a bit of time while the temperature dropped quite considerably……



    While shortly after and the final ‘Are we there yet?’ we turned off the Autobahn having travelled through 3 countries (France, Belgium & Netherlands) and ended up in the 4th (Germany) to take a minor road and then a ‘track’ up a hill…..



    To finally arrive at Camping Waldwinkel…..





    While across the road in the opposite field we see these two ‘little fellas’ that look a bit like ‘Highland Cattle’ but a lot smaller…..



    Long day, so time for a nice coffee and see what happens tomorrow as we have 2 nights here......

  6. #6
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    Overland to Scandinavia and more!
    Spring 2017


    A day out in Bramsche & Osnabrück

    Well the weather forecast says RAIN later today, but we are off for a bit of exploring around the nearest town called Bramsche and then over to the city of Osnabrück……
    Bramsche is a small town with a lot of old buildings in that are still in use either as shops or dwellings for families. The next picture shows the list of all the buildings and the dates they were erected. Take a look at Number 26 and the year is was built….



    You can see it on the ‘Plan’ in the middle at the top of the next picture…..


    This is Number 26 which is now being used by the C&A group as a clothes outlet……



    While here is a metal sculpture of ‘Geld Lotte’ outside of one of the Banks in the town……



    Looks like she is counting her coins before she goes into the Bank...



    While we have a few street scenes around the town next……









    Look closely at the next picture, just up to the right of the centre. What can you see?……



    Yes, it’s the Glockenspiel Bells at the top of the house front. The house was the home of one of the first ‘Bag’ makers (Tuchmacher) in the city before the Factory was built





    We then went to have a look at the ‘Tuchfabrik’ (Bag Factory) which has ceased production and is now a Museum but as it was Monday the place was closed along with the Tourist Information Centre……





    One of the original ‘engines’ from inside the Bag Factory……



    As we then started to make our way back into the town centre we could not help notice this very dark house which was completely different to the other houses and their bright colours…..



    The town Book Store……



    Oink….Oink! This little piggy got painted!......



    While these little piggy’s and sheep were waiting for the water trough to be filled up!......



    One more street picture as we make our way back to ‘Flamenco Red’……



    As we then head over to the city of Osnabrück……



    Interesting collection of ‘Locks’ left by visitors from all over the world!......



    While the Rabbit is not having much luck with its fishing attempt in the river that runs through the city……



    Not sure what this soldier was trying to do, but even the Duck left him to it and swam off!......



    No explanation for this sculpture and water outlet……



    The City Cathedral……





    The inside of the Cathedral……



    As we came out and made our way through the arch there was another church in front that along with a couple of buildings had been ‘decorated’ with a long strip of blue fabric that was stuck in place……





    The ‘decorated church is……



    The inside of the church……



    We think this was the ‘Rathause’ (Town Hall) but it was not identified!......



    While opposite to the church were these brightly painted buildings……



    Council Office Building?…..



    As we then get into the Altstadt (Old part of the city) and the houses……







    Well the water was not in any way deep enough for ‘paddling’ but this Duck was not moving, but eventually got chased off by a man from a food shop!.......


    This is how a lot people over here keep fit as the place was swarming with bicycles……



    Time to head back to the campsite as we could see the rainclouds coming over, and as we made our way back to the car park we spotted this little family by the side of the river……





    Just got back on the campsite and the heavens opened up with the watering can, while the temperature has taken a decidedly ‘Arctic’ feel to it! YUK!

    Off again tomorrow further up North, but exceedingly glad we managed to refill the LPG cylinder as it looks like we might need it considering the rain has now started hammering down while the temperature has dropped by 10 degrees!

  7. #7
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    Looks like you are well into spring there. Hope that you rid yourself of the rain.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by ssicarman View Post
    Looks like you are well into spring there. Hope that you rid yourself of the rain.
    I think the 'Spring' bit is correct, BUT the rain is another 'problem' and keeps hitting us and then stopping! I believe it's what are called 'Showers' while if it gets any colder we will have SNOW!

    We have seen some Hailstones in the last shower that came through!

  9. #9
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    Overland to Scandinavia and more!
    Spring 2017


    Bramsche to Puttgarden

    Bit later to start off today on the stage from Bramsche to Puttgarden as we have around 260 Miles to cover and again the majority is on Motorway/Freeway/Autobahn!……

    While it was not long on the Motorway and we came into the ‘Road Works’ as they were ripping up and relaying a complete southbound section……



    Then we saw these 2 trucks in the roadworks and the left hand one clearly has not been near any type of washing machine since it started work, it was nearly completely white!......



    While 30Km still away from Hamburg and the traffic starts building up and slowing down.
    Then it was solid and ‘stop start’ for around the next 20Km until we got to the right hand slip road towards Lubeck, where we saw two Motorway Workers in a coned off area drilling holes in the right hand lane!......



    Container handling cranes on the railway just outside Hamburg……



    Oh Boy! Here comes that wet stuff again, but it still didn’t prevent some drivers from going like a ‘Bat out of Hell’ in the third lane!.....



    While there was yet another 5 miles of roadworks up ahead butat least this one kept moving!……



    Interesting ‘Camper’ while I was curious as to how, if they had a puncture was the spare Tyre going to be fitted to the wheel? As it was only a tyre that was being carried on the rear of the camper!……



    As we then get very close to the coast on the approach to Puttgarden…..



    Don’t think this was a ‘Mini Oil Rig’.....



    Over the bridge we go towards Burg/Fehmarn which is just before Puttgarden……



    As we then find the ‘Borders Shop’ which to be honest is a ‘Booze and Chocolates’ outlet that is frequented by the Scandinavians on there was into Germany or on there way out as they go back home…..
    So I picked up a case of beer, went to the checkout and was told then that only Scandinavians were allowed to buy the items in this outlet!
    There was nothing at the entrance advising would be customers of this strange rule, so we left the case there and went to Lidl who gladly sold me a case of beer!......









    One of the Puttgarden Ferries on its way in to the port with its ‘Mouth Open’!…..



    While tomorrow we will be on one of the ferries and I hope they remember to shut its mouth!…..

    Meanwhile our Sunset here in Puttgarden. Not as spectacular as a number we have seen but still nice, even though it’s FREEZIN COLD!!!



    Next stop tomorrow is Denmark…..

  10. #10
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    Overland to Scandinavia and more!
    Spring 2017


    Puttgarden (Germany) to Hundested (Denmark)

    08:15hrs this morning, and we are rolling into the check in lines for the ferry from Puttgarden to Denmark……



    As we then wait in line while the incoming vehicles disembark……



    Then up the elevated road we go and get into our place on board for the 45 minutes crossing to Denmark……



    We leave Puttgarden behind as the ferry leaves on time……



    On board this is the Waitress Service Restaurant where a full breakfast will set you back over £15, ($22)! But you do get to look out of the front of the ship which the rest of the passengers don’t see.....



    Some more of the Scandlines Fleet……







    Then before we knew it, it was back down stairs as we were docking in 5 minutes!......



    As we then saw the elevated road coming down to let us drive off!.....



    Then off and down we go towards a very effective Security Check by the Danish Police as every vehicles passengers were checked against their Passports, which didn’t happen 3 years ago on our last trip but good to see happening now!…..



    Yes the sign just to the right of center did say ‘Denmark’ while the Sun was out!……



    Copenhagen, but not for us this time…..



    We must have passed this last time we came over but neither of us can remember it!…..



    Road Tunnel under a large expanse of water……



    The road bridge near Faro…..



    As we came down the slope from the bridge and before we got to the next bridge we came off into the Rastplatz Faro (Service Station) were we stayed last time,



    Making our way through this gate to…..



    This location which has a rather nice view……



    But as we always like to see and try new places, having just got a 2017 Stellplatz Fuhrer book we had a look inside and found a new camping place in a Yacht Haven so decided to head for that instead, so it was back on the road......

    As we came out of the Rastplats Faro we saw all these Solar Hot Water Panels lined up on the opposite side of the road, not sure what or who they supplied with the hot water……



    Old thatched house as we came off the Motorway, while the Garage next door was selling Diesel for less than France!……



    Interesting shaped church……



    Decorated Traffic Island…..



    Passing through a small village……



    Down towards the Sea and make a left turn towards the Yacht Haven, which is called Lynӕs Havn……



    As we then see it in front……







    Found the owner who explained that due to the very bad weather they have had all the yachts have not been returned to the water, so the place was a bit short of ‘space’ but we got slotted in albeit diagonally and the price included: HOT Showers, Kitchen, Laundry & Tumble Dryer, Electric Hook Up and Internet Access and we made use of all of it!…...



    As we then went to have a look around after a bit of lunch……













    The Beach just over the Yacht Haven wall……



    While at the end of the beach by the Yacht Haven Harbour Entrance is this building……



    As we looked inside it was the first time we have seen a Sauna ‘On the Beach’ with a set of steps around the back that you could stand on and jump into the nice cold Ocean, but not today for us!!!......







    WOW! We could not believe this very small car was actually towing this boat on the trailer as the owner brought it in to get it back in the water……



    And there it eventually goes……



    As we walked around I then spotted the Mussels, so after getting a bag it was ‘hunting time’!......



    Some nice sizes in the water, but not as tasty as I thought they might be when they were cooked, but I don’t think the sea is as salty up here……



    Then to round off the day a collection of classic cars came along……

    Morris Minor 1000 (UK)



    Volvo 160 GLE……



    Volvo 122 Estate……



    Chevrolet ‘Biscayne’ not sure how old……



    That’s it for today!

    Time to get this uploaded, clean me teeth and get some shut eye as we are off to Sweden tomorrow……

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