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Friday 22 July 2011
Nearly home
Frank is going to get on a ferry to bring him home in the next few hours. There will be a bearded picture to come.
Germany
I heard last night that tank is now out of Denmark and enjoying germany. I'm sure he'll have a joke or two to tell on his return.
Thursday 21 July 2011
A small though
http://eynshamchiro.co.uk/cp1.php
Alan Craft D.C M.M.C.A
Eynsham Chiropractic Clinic
7 Witney Road
Eynsham
Tel: 01865 882992
www.eynshamchiro.co.uk
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Tuesday 19 July 2011
A word from Frank
Hi. Well Sweden. Yesterday 200 miles in the rain. Campsite near Ostersund. Today sun dryed out and 500 miles later just outside Goteborg. Camping by Honda dealer on grass. Tomorrow Denmark. Have a beer for me. See you soon.:-)
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No news is good news
Or so it is said.
I've heard. Nothing from frNk since he camped at Jokkmokk, probably a sign that he's having fun if I know him.
News here is that I lightly trimmed my beard this morning, the grey bits seemed to be growing quicker than the rest.
I've heard. Nothing from frNk since he camped at Jokkmokk, probably a sign that he's having fun if I know him.
News here is that I lightly trimmed my beard this morning, the grey bits seemed to be growing quicker than the rest.
Sunday 17 July 2011
Latest news
A quick update.
I didn't ride a motorcycle today. I suspect Frazer didn't either
Frank, however, is back on his and has started down through Sweden and is currently in a tent somewhere near Jokkmokk. Yes that really is a place!
I didn't ride a motorcycle today. I suspect Frazer didn't either
Frank, however, is back on his and has started down through Sweden and is currently in a tent somewhere near Jokkmokk. Yes that really is a place!
Saturday 16 July 2011
There's more to come
I just got home from a truly fantastic trip.
At the moment I'm buzzing with the excitement of it all and I'm not sure I can put it all into words.
Frazer is going to write a postscript in a few days. I'll be doing the same. I'll coerce Frank to do the same on his return.
So far it seems the beard I've grown has had good responses so I'm going to leave it in place untouched until Frank gets back at least.
It's been fun talking to you all, speak soon.
Best wishes
Alan
At the moment I'm buzzing with the excitement of it all and I'm not sure I can put it all into words.
Frazer is going to write a postscript in a few days. I'll be doing the same. I'll coerce Frank to do the same on his return.
So far it seems the beard I've grown has had good responses so I'm going to leave it in place untouched until Frank gets back at least.
It's been fun talking to you all, speak soon.
Best wishes
Alan
Friday 15 July 2011
A brief viewing of Denmark
You know, beds are great for sleeping in, especially after not using one for 9 nights without.
We left our hotel in Brondersley at 9.30 having breakfasted well and headed to Hanstholm, sight of the largest fortress built in the second world war by the nazi's. There is an interesting museum there where it's possible to look around the bunkers built for the guns that were built to fire 470kg or 810kg shells out to sea. The 470kg shells could travel up to 55km apparently, that's 33miles for the over 40's.
We then headed steadily towards Esbjerg to get on the ferry which is where I now sit. Not much of a view of Denmark but enough to think it's worth another look. Especially Copenhagen. Also, it mostly seems quite flat. Oh, and we had ice cream.
We left our hotel in Brondersley at 9.30 having breakfasted well and headed to Hanstholm, sight of the largest fortress built in the second world war by the nazi's. There is an interesting museum there where it's possible to look around the bunkers built for the guns that were built to fire 470kg or 810kg shells out to sea. The 470kg shells could travel up to 55km apparently, that's 33miles for the over 40's.
We then headed steadily towards Esbjerg to get on the ferry which is where I now sit. Not much of a view of Denmark but enough to think it's worth another look. Especially Copenhagen. Also, it mostly seems quite flat. Oh, and we had ice cream.
Thursday 14 July 2011
A wet evening in Denmark.
Gothenburg seems a nice city. If Stockholm is better I may find myself there for a weekend break sometime.
We caught the ferry to frederikshavn at 4, by which time the rain had eased in. Just a bit as we got on, more as we came across. We passed the time with live coverage of the tour d'france, result!
On riding out of frederikshavn we found the rain and wind had picked up further so I've twisted Frazer's arm to stay in a hotel. With a beer too.
Two mishaps today. Firstly, I noticed after following Frazer for about 20 miles that there was something black on the back of his pack on the BMW. A closer look revealed that it was his Blackberry mobile phone. Luckily I flagged him down before it bounced off.
My own faux par came on the ferry where I managed to withdraw some Swedish money at from the cashpoint, which of course is pretty useless here in Denmark.
Tonight we'll sleep well in warm beds, and the hot shower was wonderful.
We caught the ferry to frederikshavn at 4, by which time the rain had eased in. Just a bit as we got on, more as we came across. We passed the time with live coverage of the tour d'france, result!
On riding out of frederikshavn we found the rain and wind had picked up further so I've twisted Frazer's arm to stay in a hotel. With a beer too.
Two mishaps today. Firstly, I noticed after following Frazer for about 20 miles that there was something black on the back of his pack on the BMW. A closer look revealed that it was his Blackberry mobile phone. Luckily I flagged him down before it bounced off.
My own faux par came on the ferry where I managed to withdraw some Swedish money at from the cashpoint, which of course is pretty useless here in Denmark.
Tonight we'll sleep well in warm beds, and the hot shower was wonderful.
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Last night and this morning
Last nights sleeping spot was an interesting experience and ended being a quiet night tucked away from the traffic. We did notice the same van came round more than once before dark though.
We're in Gothenburg as I write. Booked our tickets to Frederikshavn for 4 this afternoon.
The harbour is full of historical ships, there a couple of pictures included here somewhere.
Frazer fancies a little shopping now, but sandwiches and coffee first!
We're in Gothenburg as I write. Booked our tickets to Frederikshavn for 4 this afternoon.
The harbour is full of historical ships, there a couple of pictures included here somewhere.
Frazer fancies a little shopping now, but sandwiches and coffee first!
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Wednesday 13 July 2011
Line dancing
We continued to ride south after lunch, only stopping for a line dancing lesson at an obscure roadside cafe next to the E45. Followed by coffee and ice cream of course.
The sun kept shining as the number of houses and towns grew more numerous. We've struggled with easy camping so currently we're sitting in a picnic area tucked behind a rest area and may sleep on a picnic table each if it stays dry. Fingers crossed for dryness.
We're also looking forward to a bit of darkness tonight for the first time since we got to Norway. Judging by the map we're about level with Aberdeen so much closer to home.
We plan to have a look around Gothenburg tomorrow then get a ferry to frederikshavn in the evening ready to camp there somewhere.
The sun kept shining as the number of houses and towns grew more numerous. We've struggled with easy camping so currently we're sitting in a picnic area tucked behind a rest area and may sleep on a picnic table each if it stays dry. Fingers crossed for dryness.
We're also looking forward to a bit of darkness tonight for the first time since we got to Norway. Judging by the map we're about level with Aberdeen so much closer to home.
We plan to have a look around Gothenburg tomorrow then get a ferry to frederikshavn in the evening ready to camp there somewhere.
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Warming a treat
Wednesday day lunch time in Mora. A nice town in middle to south Sweden. The sun is on my back as I'm eating a cheese and ham sandwich, both of which are most welcome. It got a butt cool last night and I had to break out the sleeping bag liner to get some more warmth.
We're thinking of doing a little fishing in a lake later, maybe at a campsite where we might stay.
I'm finding sweden rather nice to ride through. Good roads, more reasonable speed limits and plenty of space.
On a more important note, do we have coffee and cake now?
We're thinking of doing a little fishing in a lake later, maybe at a campsite where we might stay.
I'm finding sweden rather nice to ride through. Good roads, more reasonable speed limits and plenty of space.
On a more important note, do we have coffee and cake now?
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Tuesday 12 July 2011
It's warmer in the arctic circle
A big mileage day today. We've ridden nearly 450 miles south and the temperature has dropped to 55f along with a brisk breeze picking up. Happily the Mosquitos aren't keen on it so at least we're not walking around with nets on our heads this evening.
We must gave seen about 30 or 40 reindeer today, not an elk in sight though. We also went past an ostrich farm which I didn't expect up here.
We must gave seen about 30 or 40 reindeer today, not an elk in sight though. We also went past an ostrich farm which I didn't expect up here.
We are near Skucku at the moment. I haven't tried to pronounce it. The cafe smelt good as we rode past it, I fancy a plate of chips.
Music while riding today started with Beathoven followed by Aphex Twin Thr Jethro Tull. Frazer has been mainly enjoying the Goldie Lookin Chain.
We might go to Stockholm tomorrow, we're measuring distances as I write.
Only one mishap today. Somewhere halfway through today's ride my bike ejected the plastic bottle of milk I had strapped on the back. Another litre was bought, so I can lose that tomorrow.
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Second time round the rim and back out again
At about 9 am this morning Frazer and I left the arctic circle. We didn't take pictures as there was nothing on the E45 to mark it. A loss of income for someone wanting to sell cheap expensive tat I'd say.
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Monday 11 July 2011
Sunshine and showers
We've moved into Sweden and found there are some cracking roads here. Mainly the E45. The smell of citrus and pine wafting over us in the sun was wonderful. I'm not sure what the citrus smell is, one of the tree types I guess.
We rode through some brief rain bursts with lightning, one also threw hailstones at us which were the size of marbles. Good job we have good jackets. Each burst of rain was followed by an hour or more of strong sun so as we've stopped now we're only slightly damp around the rears.
We rode through some brief rain bursts with lightning, one also threw hailstones at us which were the size of marbles. Good job we have good jackets. Each burst of rain was followed by an hour or more of strong sun so as we've stopped now we're only slightly damp around the rears.
We both had music for some of today's journey. I started with Enter Shikari, check out the version of 'Insomnia' on YouTube, followed by Beathoven's 9th. Frazer was listening to the Beatles.
We've found a secluded spot to camp at the edge of a national park. Only down side is the Mosquitos. So we're wearing nets over our heads.
We're not sure where to head for tomorrow so you'll have to be surprised, as we may be too.
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A quick stop
Well, briefly we're in Finland in 75f of sunshine.
We rode through a lively storm coming south of Alta, having had to avoid some rather large rocks in the road that the storm had brought down.
Sweden in half an hour.
We rode through a lively storm coming south of Alta, having had to avoid some rather large rocks in the road that the storm had brought down.
Sweden in half an hour.
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Sunday 10 July 2011
A pleasant Sunday
Frazer awoke this morning in his tent surrounded by water, in the tent. A certain dampness had permeated his bag of clothes too. It seems his tent was where a small stream runs when there's some rain.
Thankfully it's warmer and drier than expected today and all is dry again.
We've been for a walk up to a lake and popped in to see Arne today for coffee on the way back.
Yesterdays fish catch has been consumed apart from the wolf fish which we'll enjoy later. Maybe followed by another specialist pudding from Annie and Rosie maybe.
Tomorrow Frazer and I will say good bye to Frank and the others to start our journey down through Finland and Sweden. There's some rain forecast so a dry stop is hoped for.
Thankfully it's warmer and drier than expected today and all is dry again.
We've been for a walk up to a lake and popped in to see Arne today for coffee on the way back.
Yesterdays fish catch has been consumed apart from the wolf fish which we'll enjoy later. Maybe followed by another specialist pudding from Annie and Rosie maybe.
Tomorrow Frazer and I will say good bye to Frank and the others to start our journey down through Finland and Sweden. There's some rain forecast so a dry stop is hoped for.
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Saturday 9 July 2011
A hot hot Saturday
So Saturday arrived for me lying in a tent with an I side temperature of about 80f at 8am.
I crawled out having slept about 4 or so hours to feel sone very intense sunshine on my shoulders.
I was revived by a pint of cool water then a cappuccino made and delivered by Jon.
I joined Frank and Frazer on Jon's newly built decking to generally laze about for a couple of hours despising options for our day. We decided on some fishing on the fjord below the house.
We all walked down apart from Annie and Pam and started casting from the beach or, in Frank and Jon's case, from Jon's canoe.
I got the first bite again and pulled in a cod of about 2 pounds. Over the rest of the day Frazer caught his first cod, one all Jack, followed by everyone catching fish from cod to haddock to pollock. The pick of the day though went to Frazer who, late in the afternoon pulled in a 10 pound Wolf fish while out in the canoe. You'll see the fish in another upload shortly. It looks like something from Jurassic park. Weill be eating it tomorrow for dinner.
That's it up to date now. We've just moved indoors as it's raining and there's thunder and lightning in the distance. Rain is forecast for a few days so Frazer and I may have an interesting day or so riding down through Finland and Sweden.
I've also uploaded a picture of the states of our beards. They're coming on nicely.
I crawled out having slept about 4 or so hours to feel sone very intense sunshine on my shoulders.
I was revived by a pint of cool water then a cappuccino made and delivered by Jon.
I joined Frank and Frazer on Jon's newly built decking to generally laze about for a couple of hours despising options for our day. We decided on some fishing on the fjord below the house.
We all walked down apart from Annie and Pam and started casting from the beach or, in Frank and Jon's case, from Jon's canoe.
I got the first bite again and pulled in a cod of about 2 pounds. Over the rest of the day Frazer caught his first cod, one all Jack, followed by everyone catching fish from cod to haddock to pollock. The pick of the day though went to Frazer who, late in the afternoon pulled in a 10 pound Wolf fish while out in the canoe. You'll see the fish in another upload shortly. It looks like something from Jurassic park. Weill be eating it tomorrow for dinner.
That's it up to date now. We've just moved indoors as it's raining and there's thunder and lightning in the distance. Rain is forecast for a few days so Frazer and I may have an interesting day or so riding down through Finland and Sweden.
I've also uploaded a picture of the states of our beards. They're coming on nicely.
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Fridays ride, a little late
Friday was a gear day, aren't they nearly always?
We woke in our clamping spot having, heard a bit of rain overnight,to see 2 porpoises about 20 meters away from us. In the sea of course.
A light breakfast of porridge with nuts and dried fruit, again, washed down with tea and we got on the bikes once again. I think we were all starting to feel some part of our bodies from the many hours on a bike so far. Frank had an achey rear, Frazer an achey shoulder and I was a bit achey between my shoulder blades.
The sun was out and some feisty roads again loosened us up a treat. As did a coffee as we entered the northern area of Norway.
The weather got warmer and warmer again, though we didn't see over 80f, as we travelled further north at a good speed.
High point of the ride was entering the arctic circle at 3.20pm local time, there's a picture already uploaded. Obviously we had to celebrate with an ice cream as it was 78f there.
An equally great moment was arriving in Langfjord at Jon and Pam's to say hello and stay for the weekend. Or the week in Frank's case. It was fantastic to see the family up here and to see there place with no snow and ice as I'd seen it before in winter.
The hot tub was awaiting us as were a number of cool beers so straight after dinner we hopped in the tub with beers in hand.
Further treats were the arrival of Arne Karlstrom who owns a farm up the road and is also a husky musher who has up to 50 dogs in his yard. And later Frank's wife Helen and son Christisn arrived having flown over. Again there's pictures already uploaded.
We eventually got to get having been thoroughly broiled in the tub at about 3am, it still being fully light.
Saturdays stuff is to follow.
We woke in our clamping spot having, heard a bit of rain overnight,to see 2 porpoises about 20 meters away from us. In the sea of course.
A light breakfast of porridge with nuts and dried fruit, again, washed down with tea and we got on the bikes once again. I think we were all starting to feel some part of our bodies from the many hours on a bike so far. Frank had an achey rear, Frazer an achey shoulder and I was a bit achey between my shoulder blades.
The sun was out and some feisty roads again loosened us up a treat. As did a coffee as we entered the northern area of Norway.
The weather got warmer and warmer again, though we didn't see over 80f, as we travelled further north at a good speed.
High point of the ride was entering the arctic circle at 3.20pm local time, there's a picture already uploaded. Obviously we had to celebrate with an ice cream as it was 78f there.
An equally great moment was arriving in Langfjord at Jon and Pam's to say hello and stay for the weekend. Or the week in Frank's case. It was fantastic to see the family up here and to see there place with no snow and ice as I'd seen it before in winter.
The hot tub was awaiting us as were a number of cool beers so straight after dinner we hopped in the tub with beers in hand.
Further treats were the arrival of Arne Karlstrom who owns a farm up the road and is also a husky musher who has up to 50 dogs in his yard. And later Frank's wife Helen and son Christisn arrived having flown over. Again there's pictures already uploaded.
We eventually got to get having been thoroughly broiled in the tub at about 3am, it still being fully light.
Saturdays stuff is to follow.
Friday 8 July 2011
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