Dedicated to a wonderful Mother Jean Noble 31/5/1929 - 20/8/2007 - may we never take our mothers for granted. - Goodbye Mum

NORWAY PAGE 2 - SEPTEMBER 2007

(Updated 16/10/07) The worlds richest Nation (per capita). Out of the ten Richest Countries (based on 2006 GNP per capita in US$)

(NOTE: ***Luxembourg's high GNP per capita is due in part to a significant number of its workforce living in neighbouring countries. Non-residents are not counted in Luxembourg's population which in turn raises the country's GNP per capita score. This effectively places Norway in first spot. (REF: Here)

A 25% GST (VAT) makes purchasing anything (for us) in Norway, only on an absolute needs basis.

I have read a lot about this fascinating country, it's history and ties with Britain and Europe. The bravery of its people in times of exploration, war and conquest. The incredible feats of seamanship, that are hard to beat anywhere on our planet Plus their “legendary” warmth and hospitality. We Look forward to meeting it's people and seeing it's history first hand. Sampling it's rich heritage and foods and seeing the beautiful scenery so often featured in guide books. We will let you know – warts and all – what we find :-)

Wednesday September 26^th 2007 Bush camp about 26 K's from Lervick To Lervick
Approx. 27.27k's Average Speed 8.60kph Cycling time 3Hr(s) 12Min. Max speed. 48kph Max temp we recorded 14°C (Shade)
Terrain: VERY Hilly. Road Conditions: Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00. Stay with a Family.
Last nights rain was the most we have ever experienced EVER. It rained torrentialy for hour after hour. Again absolutely bewildered by the signage. I now feel installing signs is a project for primary school children and “sometimes” they get it wrong. It worked in our favour today.. We met a fantastic Norwegian family and they invited us to dinner and a bed for the night...

Terrific company and warm generous hospitality..

We stayed up far too late talking and were tired in the morning... More about these people later.
Jans Tovi <sp> we have lost your address and email, if you read this PLEASE email us.
ANYONE READING THIS THAT KNOW THEM - PLEASE LEAVE US THEIR CONTACT DETAILS...
UPDATE: 2/10/07. We have been contacted and now have their email.... Thank you.
Thursday September 27^th 2007 Lervick to Stavenger
Approx. 11.62k's Average Speed 8.19kph Cycling time 1Hr(s) 32Min. Max speed. 36kph Max temp we recorded 17°C (Shade)
Terrain: VERY Hilly. Road Conditions: Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00.
We decided that the signage was far too poor to permit navigating the third island before the mainland so opted for the cheapest option – the bus. Part of our reason is that we cannot buy the NSCR map anywhere – The tourist bureau here in Stavenger did not know anything about it? Sad really. The driver astonished by the bikes said “if you can get em in I will take you”. It cost $125.00 for the two of us plus bikes.

It was not difficult really and only took us a few minutes. We looked at all the options “Ferry cycle Ferry” and costs and of course the poor signage... We both felt that avoiding the 50-60 k's on the third island, plus all the “transport costs”, was the best choice. Plus, doing it this way - as far as we know, for the rest of Norway, we have no more of these expensive ferries to pay for.
We are now in a C/van park in Stavenger doing much needed washing and maintenance. We met many others that – like us – were attempting to recover from Tuesdays torrential rain. Two young men from Germany had EVERYTHING soaked. Like us they were drying their passports and doc's. We faired better with our important papers as they were in some good kit - “Sea to Summit” bags. Our passports were in Lee's pocket in plastic bags – these got wet.

The passports look like they “may” be acceptable at border crossings... We will know at the Swedish border
The C/van park is definitely third world... Filthy, atrocious with management that needs a personality transplant; add to this horrendously priced. It cost $55.00 For a muddy piece of ground and a shower, plus wash and dry SOME of our clothes in those miniature washing machines so common here.
Friday September 28^th 2007 Stavanger to Sandnes. (STAT'S - Temp only – I forgot to put the bike computer on the bike)
Approx. k's Average Speed kph Cycling time Hr(s) Min. Max speed. kph Max temp we recorded 22°C (Shade)
Terrain: VERY Hilly. Road Conditions: Good, O/night Accom.: $200.00 (Atrocious).
The signage is beyond a joke... We have abandoned the NSCR as a route south, simply because of shocking directions, none existent signage, multi choice with NO directions... I could just keep writing example after example... but it is pointless We have been stuck in Stavanger for 7 hours following pointless cycle signs that simply lead to nowhere. What's more, there is LESS chance of the sun rising tomorrow, than me getting an email saying how perfect everything is. We have a “Road Map and will do what we can to follow the coast and stay off the road as much as possible.

Due to signage problems and being VERY late, we have had to resort to a “hotel” run by Guess Who.... well your wrong!!! It is run by “John Cleese”. The Hotel had:- Run out of coffee, No Milk, No towel in room, Room set up for a single.. Make your own bed... On and On.... Guess what? this no star dive cost $200.00 per night... A totally embarrassed clerk gave us the internet free - Normally $25.00 for 24hrs.
BTW We went into MacDonald's just to check prices...(and use the loo :-) A Big Mac is $16.00 Aussie Dollars!!! Wow. - We did NOT buy anything in there – we had tried to buy a large chips, but they had run out of chips??? Catchya Later.
Saturday September 29^th 2007 Sandnes to Volstadskogen C/van park.
Approx. 18.96k's Average Speed 8.44kph Cycling time 2Hr(s) 14Min. Max speed. 31kph Max temp we recorded 14°C (Shade)
Terrain: VERY Hilly. Road Conditions: Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00
Torrential rain (again) caused us to be wary... “We were told” (not checked on internet) they get approx. 2.5 METRES of rain here per annum (about 100 inches).. so we booked into a C/van park earlier than we had wanted. Little choice exists sometimes as the next C/van park is too far and it is too populated to bush camp.

Yes it is grass growing on the roof... With so much bloody rain everything grows like mad...

Bit over $2.00 for a five minute shower... Like the UK they hit you for as much as possible AFTER you have paid.
Despite cycling (uphill mostly) for more than two hours in the rain, our wet weather precautions are getting better. We have purchased Ponchos and they are proving (so far) to be good. We can lift them for the uphill when the rain eases to let out the heat. The stop will give us time to plan our route south and do more maintenance etc.. The yellow covers on the trailers (above) are an addition here... the rain and low light/visibility caused us to look for options. These covers help with the “waterproofing” and stand out like the proverbial. As stated earlier we will not attempt to follow the NSCR exactly but after checking maps today we will be close. It is simply too dangerous for us to persist with such low daily mileage with winter approaching. (lost one days stat's) Only 130 to 140 K's so far for (About average 27k's per day) we are 23 k's per day below our average (50k per day) at this point. We need to push on regardless of weather – at least to a point!!
Sunday September 30^th 2007 Volstadskogen C/van park to Varhaug.
Approx. 35.79k's Average Speed 10.00kph Cycling time 3Hr(s) 34Min. Max speed. 43kph Max temp we recorded 15°C (Shade)
Terrain: VERY Hilly. Road Conditions: Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00
The “lady” (applied loosely) owner, of the disgusting hovel we stayed at last night, came to me just as we were leaving and said in a demeaning tone “I hope you have cleaned up” We exchanged some banter before SHE SAID “you don't expect “ME” to clean up after people do you”? I prefer not to write down my response, those that know me well, will know that I cut her feet off at the neck !!!!!! She definitely copped it with both barrels. I think she will be a lot more careful in her choice of words with people, in future! What a disgusting woman!!
Two camping grounds we have been in and both “third world” in their appearance + both were filthy. It can only get better – who said that?
Light rain throughout the day and 8/8 cloud cover. We enjoyed our ride today, until we got to within about 4/5 k's or so, before we stopped. The road (No 44 for those reading the NSCR) had an excellent cycle/walking lane for over 30 k's, which – as they do everywhere, Aussie too – stopped with no warning. We saw the NSCR red sign and thought we would take a chance with the route rather than fight traffic for a few k's. A disastrous decision!!

We were led onto a muddy track full of cattle and the inevitable Cow Manure everywhere...

Route 1 (Norway's main cycle route) is simply a joke....

It is mountain bike country..

See the red sign between the bike and the lady.

Road Bikes should keep well away.
After spending over an hour clawing through the mud we were done in... Our goal was 47 k's today which on the road we would have enjoyed every kilometre. We called in a Guest house to enquire prices... $90.00 for the basics so we asked if we could pay and put our tent in one of the grassed areas... They agreed at a cost of $33.00.. They did say we could use the shower in one of the unoccupied cabins...

We are giving serious consideration to getting out of Norway sooner rather than later, due to unreasonably high prices... Sad for us as Norwegians in general have been some of the nicest, warmest people we have ever met. Well that ends September 2007... Never to be seen again.

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