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

Bergen National Flower Norway ABBA
SWEDEN PAGE 3 OCTOBER 2007

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

1. Luxembourg $87,955.00

2. Norway $72,306.00

3. Qatar $62,914.00

4. Iceland $54,858.00

5. Ireland $52,440.00

6. Switzerland $51,771.00

7.Denmark $50,965.00

8. United States $44,190.00

9. Sweden $42,383.00

10. Netherlands $40,571.00

(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)

Still with the “Super Rich” but hoping to survive financially, amongst them :-) Who can forget ABBA.. We know so little about the Swedes and have come here to learn. Will they be as warm and inviting as the Norwegians were? Will corporate Sweden let them down just like “Corporate Norway” does? I will report as always what I see and describe as fairly as I can, our experiences... As always “Warts 'n All”. Thank you Sweden for allowing us amongst your tribe.

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Monies in Aussie Dollars

Thursday October 11th 2007 Unda.
Approx. 18.95k's Average Speed 8.73kph Cycling time 2Hr(s) 10Min. Max speed. 36kph Max temp we recorded 10°C (Shade)
Terrain: Hilly. Road Conditions: Very Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00

Rest Day with our Swedish Hosts



Well that's about it for now – Catchya Later...

Friday October 12
th 2007 Unda to Fagerhult.
Approx.
18.95k's Average Speed 8.73kph Cycling time 2Hr(s) 10Min. Max speed. 36kph Max temp we recorded 10°C (Shade)
Terrain:
Hilly. Road Conditions: Very Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00
Really late start about 1:30pm Our hosts were happy for us to stay another night, but we felt we had better move on as the cold weather is really on us now. At 5:30 pm when we found this bush camp, it was only 6C and falling rapidly. We are expecting up to -8C tonight. We had a great time with the family and will share two or three pic's of them here.



And another :-)



We thank you very much for your hospitality.
On a dirt road now keeping away from traffic as much as pos.. It is enjoyable as the road is well maintained and the countryside stunning.. Chores beckon so must start cooking.. Catchya Later
Saturday October 13th 2007 Bush camp 20k's South of Fagerhult to Bush camp 58k's South of Fagerhult
Approx. 38.11k's Average Speed 10.93kph Cycling time 3Hr(s) 29Min. Max speed. 47kph Max temp we recorded 10°C (Shade)
Terrain:
Hilly. Road Conditions: Very Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00
Really cold day today with a 2C start after a very cold night... Not 100% sure of the low last night but it felt very cold... Most of today it has been up and down between 2C and 8C with the very short 10C peak at 4pm. Eyes water a lot in the cold wind and extremities – hands/feet – suffer most if not protected. We are coping well with the cold but do welcome the warmth of the tent at night. The mileage is creeping up a bit and my knee only complained the last 3-4 k's, so it is healing – better not push too much yet though.



Light traffic and a pleasant rolling countryside made for a good ride.. some hills, though not super steep, were very long and meant a slow crawl.



With our bikes tucked into the bushes we set up another bush camp before our assault on Gothenburg tomorrow. Catchya Later
Sunday October 14th 2007 Bush camp 20k's South of Fagerhult to Gottenberg.
Approx. 53.03k's Average Speed 9.22kph Cycling time 5Hr(s) 45Min. Max speed. 36kph Max temp we recorded 14°C (Shade)
Terrain:
Very Hilly. Road Conditions: Very Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00
Relatively warm night – did not need our balaclava's on – Lee frightened me to death the first night with hers on after I woke – half asleep – and saw her :-) Great ride but I have pushed my knee back to square one – thought I could do a mileage I have done very often. We booked our ferry to Denmark at SEK500 inc bikes – for two ($87.00).. Ships, no departure taxes and the hell at Airports.. Check in 30 minutes prior and cycle on board – slower than the air time but faster overall and soooo much cheaper. Cycling to the recommended hotel we passed a Thai restaurant, Lee darted inside to say “Sawatdee” (Hello)



We were offered what turned out to be the best Thai food in years and on the house!!!! “Kop Khun Marg Krup” (Thank you very much).
Cycling on we could not find the first Guest House so went to one that had been recommended at SEK500 – it turned out to be nearly double this... At 9pm we were out of options. The guy on reception turned out to be particularly helpful. He is from Belarus – an old Soviet Satellite -



He helped us tuck our bikes in the foyer under the CCTV cameras.... We had a good chat and wish him well..



And here are the bikes



Well that's about it for Sweden – all too short a stay.... VERY sad to leave.
Monday October 15th 2007 Gottenberg (Sweden) to Frederikshavn (Denmark)
Approx. 14.52k's Average Speed 8.33kph Cycling time 1Hr(s) 44Min. Max speed. 26kph Max temp we recorded 12°C (Shade)
Terrain:
Very Hilly. Road Conditions: Very Good, O/night Accom.: $0.00
A 4pm sailing was in order and we left our hotel at 11am. Lee wanted to visit the Thai people we met yesterday so off we went. After that we looked a little around Gottenberg... It is a cycling Mecca, cycle paths everywhere with small traffic lights to control the bikes... It is fantastic...



Everywhere we went today we were stopped and questioned. Help was freely offered when we needed it, with translations etc.. We bought or ticket from this lady yesterday.



Here she was checking us on board today... Elizabeth and her husband have visited Melbourne and surrounds, she said they enjoyed the experience.



Crossing borders is a hassle free exercise, by ferry.

SUMMARY SWEDEN

So far unsurpassed for it accommodating warmth and hospitality. Definitely, the universal forces willing, we will return to explore more fully in the future. Both Norway and Sweden are similar with their peoples. Corporate Norway, for us, was totally unforgiving, but it's people wonderful. Corporate Sweden is markedly different and considerably cheaper.. Bear in mind these observations have no basis in any formal sense, they are simply “ empirical perceptions”. Bottom line is that the people in Sweden were simply wonderful. We will never forget you Sweden.

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