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 3 - OCTOBER 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 :-)

Monday October 1^st 2007 Varhaug to Tengs.
Approx. 37.13k's Average Speed 10.43kph Cycling time 3Hr(s) 33Min. Max speed. 49kph Max temp we recorded 12°C (Shade)
Terrain: VERY Hilly. Road Conditions: Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00

The day started about 0630 with heavy rain so we just turned over and went back to sleep.. By about 0830 it had stopped raining and never rained again the whole day :-) We enjoyed sunshine and a cold but welcome tailwind with 4/8 cloud cover it was a terrific enjoyable ride. We rode into a town called “Tengs” which had a C/van park and as we had been watching for camping possibilities we thought it wise we stop here. Amazingly it is only 50 NOK ($11.00) to pitch the tent 5($1.05) NOK per shower 20 NOK ($4.30) to use washing machine 10 NOK ($2.15) for dryer 1 NOK ($0.21c) to turn hot tap on... about 10 litres and you can pee for free!

Top left 1 NOK for ten litres warm water, Top Right 20 NOK washing machine, Bottom Left 10 NOK Dryer, Bottom Right 5 NOK Shower!
Despite the ancillary costs it is the lowest price so far. Nursing a sore knee at the moment but will decide tomorrow if can cycle it through the pain. Catchya Later....

Tuesday October 2^nd 2007 Tengs to Egersund. (Remain at Camping Ground)
Approx. 6.71k's Average Speed 10.31kph Cycling time 0Hr(s) 39Min. Max speed. 34kph Max temp we recorded 18°C (Shade)
Terrain: Flat. Road Conditions: Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00

The leg is too sore to continue today... Not wanting it to freeze on me we cycled a short way into town with no load.... Still sore but easing a little. Did a lot of washing and bit's 'n Pieces of jobs.

Went to library and collected mail – sent what we could.

Library computers are too crippled to upload or anything like that....

Well that's about it – hope my leg is easier tomorrow.... Catchya Later.

Wednesday October 3^rd 2007 Egersund To Kristiansand.
Approx. 6.33k's Average Speed 8.18kph Cycling time 0Hr(s) 46Min. Max speed. 27kph Max temp we recorded 16°C (Shade)
Terrain: Hilly. Road Conditions: Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00

The left leg is causing some pain so we made a choice to get some k's south before we freeze to death, rather than hang around in Egersund.. We got on a train and went 225k's south where we should be able to get a ferry to Sweden...

We will check tomorrow. Our plan is to get to Sweden ASAP due for the main part, prices, but also the cooling weather.

Unlike our friends (From Perth) cycling the USA, trains here are bike friendly... Hope your reading this A & J :-) The two hour train journey cost 768 NOK (Approx $160.00). When we got to Kristiansand (above) I needed a pee – Cost $1.10 to get into the loo Duh!!!

Thursday October 4^th 2007 Kristiansand to Stromstead in SWEDEN
Approx. 14.86k's Average Speed 10.39kph Cycling time 1Hr(s) 26Min. Max speed. 43kph Max temp we recorded 16°C (Shade)
Terrain: Hilly. Road Conditions: Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00

The decision was made to leave Norway a little early due mostly to prices. The timing was good as my left leg is still quite sore (But getting better) and we did not need to cycle too much today. The bus driver.................

charged my card for a return ticket NOK 980 or about $AUD210.00 Then proceeded to charge for a single ticket NOK 580 $AUD125.00 approx. (Taking a total of $335.00 out of my account- a staggering sum) www.sorlandsekspressen.no He would not give cash back and gave us a number to ring (+4737074027) (I later learned the + sign meant 00) to get it reversed... The number was to a Café (So the lady that answered said) and they refused to return my calls.. I made these calls on the bus..

A second driver (ABOVE) took over part way – he (After discussing it with driver N^o 1) assured me “Everything will be OK – Guaranteed”

I repeatedly asked the driver to fix this and told him the number he had asked was no good – but he continued on with heartless indifference..

They have the money and power and I can do nothing in a foreign land... Calls on my phone are at “Roaming Rates” and it has cost a lot already to do what was clearly designed to be a waste my time... I hope you enjoy the worship of your money and I hope it buys you a place in your heaven. Goodbye Norway .

I have checked my bank today 5^th October, no resolution in sight as yet. I will keep checking and report back here. I will write the summary on Norway when I am feeling less troubled by the (I hope) temporary loss of my money.(Update: Money refunded)

SUMMARY NORWAY 5^th October 2007

I want to very simply quantify the money here in Norway. The guy you see above, is a Conductor from the train we were on. He earns about NOK 400,000 ($AUD83,000.00) If he chooses to do overtime (There's plenty) he can earn up to NOK 700,000 (About $AUD145,000). He regards himself as low paid. He rents an apartment from his Union at about 1/6^th the normal rent. His electricity is about $70pw.. Fuel about $2.50 per litre. And a “Big Mac” is 70/75 NOK ($AUD16.00 approx.) He gets 5 weeks holiday per year.

Why would a Govt. create such a scenario? One reason could be to make sure it's (Tribal Members) people are so well of when they go through Europe and beyond... Which many do! Imagine ducking abroad with two or three weeks pay in your pocket :-) ($AUD1600.00 per week for our Train Conductor). There has to be a reason... I just don't know what it is.

The Govt. makes so much money here they are unable to spend it all, so (Like Australia) they have a “future fund”. If I am to believe what I am told it is over NOK 1,400,000,000,000.00 ( 1 Trillion 400 Billion NOK). (About $AUD 290,532,060,027 almost 300 Billion dollars) for their 4.6 million people. Australia, Norway and the rest of our planet need to continue to ask why “our” children , throughout “our” world are starving to death in their tens of thousands... it is obscene. There is no honesty amongst Governments, Churches and Corporations as, at the expense of it's people, they plunder the planet in their quest for money.

I am presented with a dichotomy when I assess the people of Norway. The ordinary everyday working man and woman. We have been shown so much kindness that it is humbling to recall. There is a genuine willingness to assist whether we are studying a map or looking bewildered in front of a sign. We have, in the two weeks here, been taken into two homes and been shown complete trust and unrivalled hospitality. This is from TOTAL strangers. I have been to over 70 countries and this is at the high end for it's hospitality.

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