Greetings.........Touring Scandinavia in April

[Western Front Syncro]

G'day chaps.
On my way up North in April in my Swedish 91' T3 Syncro Doka & 81' caravan.
Arriving Denmark by ferry on 5th April & then just heading as far North as I can (Love to see Northern Lights) before getting down to Hanover, Germany for the Syncro 25th meeting on the 28th of April.
Is there a convoy of scandinavian Syncro's heading South?
What sights do you recommend?
Any laws I need to be aware of? (I know about lights on at all times) Tyres?
Never been. So all advice welcome.

[ThorAlex.]

There is talk of a convoy but I don't know the details.
At that time of year regular summer tyres will do, you might meet some snow but the roads will be clear. As for laws you know the lights, and blood alcohol level is max 0.2, other than that I can't think of anything special.

Some roads and attractions:
http://www.atlanterhavsveien.no/e_index.html
http://www.visitnorway.com/

Give me a call when passing Steinkjer, coffee is on me and I might have some tips about stuff to see in the area...

Where are you from, UK?

Edit: Welkome BTW!

[Indian]

The speeding laws here are ugly and forgetting for a few moments might strip you of your holiday budjett! The speed traps turn up when you least expect them and beware of the Dutch invention......speed cameras. Some of them measure your average speed, so beware.
Otherwise if you are driving over the border from Sweden, just give me a yell.
Check your PM.

[Andrew]

If you come into Norway from Denmark via the port in Kristiansand (much nicer way to arrive than via Oslo), then the Kristiansand International Bus Club will be there to meet you, look over your bus and invite you either home or to the workshop for coffee or a meal
The advantage with Kristiansand is the drive north up Setesdal, one of Norway's most interesting and scenic routes. And from there you get easy access to the west coast and further north via inland fjord ferries. Costs a bit more but a darn sight more interesting than the E6!
Hope to see you in April. There's a meeting in Kristiansand 24-25th April, and the weekend after that (probably leaving Thursday evening) all the syncros will be heading for Mammut Park in Germany for the 25 years of Syncro-meeting. Good luck, look forward to seeing you!

[Indian]

If you come into Norway from Denmark via the port in Kristiansand (much nicer way to arrive than via Oslo), then the Kristiansand International Bus Club will be there to meet you, look over your bus and invite you either home or to the workshop for coffee or a meal
The advantage with Kristiansand is the drive north up Setesdal, one of Norway's most interesting and scenic routes. And from there you get easy access to the west coast and further north via inland fjord ferries. Costs a bit more but a darn sight more interesting than the E6!
Hope to see you in April. There's a meeting in Kristiansand 24-25th April, and the weekend after that (probably leaving Thursday evening) all the syncros will be heading for Mammut Park in Germany for the 25 years of Syncro-meeting. Good luck, look forward to seeing you!

And no club met me in Kristiansand when I was there last year!

[Andrew]

We enjoy showing our hospitality to all members of the forum, especially newcomers, and even more to folk from other countries on an adventurous tour with a really tasty car (preferably T3, but as the saying goes: ' with vw on the block, you're welcome in the flock!). Usually we receive a phone call or read an interesting thread on the forum. We can only apologize for the fact that your thread 'tur-retur Fredrikstad-Kristiansand 12.12' didn't manage to attract our attention.

[Western Front Syncro]

Hey this is great. I will have to get busy planning a trip. I've got no real route worked out yet, just the ferry dates & wanting to get north, do you think we will be able to see the 'Northern Lights'? How far up will we need to go?
Alittle about us, (just to warn you!!) we are......... Karl, Helen, Jasmine (7) & Amber (5). We have only owned this syncro for about 2 months (although I love 'em & a serial collector) & only slept in the caravan for 3 nights.....mad I know! But we've done other crazy things in the past................
Like when we joined the Taliban for the day.......

[TaigAGreEn]

Hi. To see properly enjoy the northern lights you'll have to find a nice, unlit and cloudfree spot and the right moment at least a few hours north of Trondheim.

Seems like you are a wee bit short on facial hair to pull off the AK47

[Andrew]

If you visit us here in Kristiansand you can leave the Taliban costume at home. Some of us here have a reputation to look after!

By the way, where do you live when you're not travelling? Imagine you must be coming from the UK as you're arriving by ferry into Denmark..........and if you're thinking of bringing gifts, then you can't do better than plenty of well-insulated frozen british sausages!

[Indian]

Puttgarden-Rødbyhavn......is Germany to Denmark

[Stein]

This might come as a disappointment, but; I'm not so sure that you will be able to see northern lights in april. It's going to be to warm, to much daylight and you will most likely have to drive to the artic circle.

However: In Norway there's a lot of people to visit. A lot of them are found on this forum. And there's a lot to see besides the northern lights.

The best time to se the lights is January. And from Tromsø and the parts north of Tromsø. So quite a long drive from Kristiansand.

I'm choosing the oposit. I'm going to Dublin, Belfast and Coleraine in april. The Uni of Ulster is waiting.

[Western Front Syncro]

Frozen?.....our 30 year old fridge, isn't up to frozen! More slightly chilled!
Taliban suit will be staying in cupboard, just waiting for the right 'fancy-dress' party!
Sorry, Yes, we are from the UK.
Have been looking at some of the highlights of Norway/Sweden, and thinking maybe be good to spend alittle time skiing/boarding. Haven't been boarding for many a year & the girls have never tried it. But we would need to do it on the cheap.
Can anyone think of a place where we could camp (proper site/power) and/or drive to local ski resort & just buy (cheap?) day lift passes? April time. Don't need anything advanced, just messing around with the kids on the kiddy slopes.
Are things like boards/ski's, boots cheaper in Norway than UK? Secondhand gear available in shops?

[oddvarr]

In april there are some places for skiing.

Galdhøpiggen sommerskisenter On the highest mountain in Norway
Stryn sommerskisenter Western part of Norway
Theese links are in english

Sognefjellet sommerskisenter Western part of Norway. Only cross country skiing.
Folgefonn sommerskisenter Midpart of Norway.
Theese links are only in norwegian. Could not find english pages.

There could be more places to ski this time of year.

Dont know about price for buying second hand equipment. Maybe some others do.

[ThorAlex.]

If you come to my area (Steinkjer, two hours north of Trondheim) I can provide a parking spot, common room with TV, kitchen and toilet, washing machines (for a small fee) and power hookups. There is a real proper campsite too, but I have no idea of prices, facilities or if they are open at all. If you are planning a stop in the area I'll be happy to do some research for you (in exchange for getting to have a look at your syncro ) . Don't think there is any skiing here, but there are a lot of other stuff to do, some good places to fish, lots of viking area stuff (old grave sites, a battlefield (the battle marked the end of the viking area in 1066), museums), the geographical center of Norway, if you want to go paddle on a lake I can provide canoes, just ask!

[Indian]

Dont know about price for buying second hand equipment. Maybe some others do.

Fretex do sell used goods and you find skiing equipment there.

[Stein]

If you come to my area (Steinkjer, two hours north of Trondheim) I can provide a parking spot, common room with TV, kitchen and toilet, washing machines (for a small fee) and power hookups. There is a real proper campsite too, but I have no idea of prices, facilities or if they are open at all. If you are planning a stop in the area I'll be happy to do some research for you (in exchange for getting to have a look at your syncro ) . Don't think there is any skiing here, but there are a lot of other stuff to do, some good places to fish, lots of viking area stuff (old grave sites, a battlefield (the battle marked the end of the viking area in 1066), museums), the geographical center of Norway, if you want to go paddle on a lake I can provide canoes, just ask!

And I'll support Thor Alex with even more things to do in this area. I live 30 km from Steinkjer. To bad I'm going to be away at that time.

[Western Front Syncro]

Thanks very much for the offer ThorAlex. Might well take you up on that. Can i contact you nearer the time. 1066 was a busy year for big battles then!! Who beat them? May be good to learn abit about the place. My only knowledge of the vikings is founding Iceland, raiding Newcastle & Thor's hammer! (oh & a Kurt Douglas film! )

[Western Front Syncro]

Hi people.
Well I'm on my way next week. Still haven't really got a plan but don't know how far north we will get (time, distance & exchange-rate is against us!) Be good to call in & see some of you, if offers still open. And maybe join convoy down to Germany. See you soon. Karl.

[Rudeboy]

If near Elverum (not far off from Hamar) next week give notice and I shall bring a termos of coffee !

all the best,
Yngve S

[Andrew]

Arriving via Kristiansand? Let us know, all facilities available!

[Western Front Syncro]

Hi.
I didn't see a ferry to Kristiansand?
Arriving in Esbjerg, Denmark & then bridge over to Sweden, then turn left!
Could people pm mobiles so easier to arrange.
Cheers Karl.

[Andrew]

What? Drive due north from Esbjerg in Denmark and you get to Hirtshals, three and a quarter hours later you're in Kristiansand having saved all that mileage. Esbjerg to Hirtshals can be done in 3-4 hours.

[Andrew]

As you can see, my mobile is +47 90198654. Ferry from Hirtshals to Kristiansand runs twice a day every day, costs between 30 - 100 quid depending on which sailing, weekend or weekday, height of car, number of passengers etc. Prices generally a bit higher on public holidays. Food on board excellent, very pleasant trip, to be recommended. Which day are you travelling? Hirtshals-Kristiansand: www.colorline.no

[Western Front Syncro]

Ahhhhhhh! I see Denmark to Norway! That's why I didn't it on my England to Scandinavia searches. Cheers for that, Sounds like a plan.
We arrive Denmark on the Monday (5th) so probably Tuesday, maybe Wednesday (depending on break-downs!! )

[Western Front Syncro]

Wow...VW & caravan = 303 euros!
Can it be cheaper just to turn up?