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Bergen High Street
Old wooden shop fronts. Hi everyone.
Thought I would take some time out of my travelling (as the temperature outside is scorching... it was 34 degrees C in the van this morning at 8.00am!) and write you all an update. Hopefully I can get some photos uploaded also.
From Tromso I headed further North on the way to Nordkapp. The first stop was Hammerfest where the van required a little bit more TLC. After picking up my new water temperature sensor I noticed that the front wheels were virtually bear! It looked like the tracking was out. After taking it to a new tire stockist and replacing the 2 front tyres (another 180 quid!) they recommended a visit back to the VW garage for re-alignment. Oooops... they inspected the front alignment and showed me a calapsed joint on the RHS upper bearing. As the only one in stock was in Oslo and was 170 quid, I asked for a scrap yard location. They had one about 40km down the road (probably the most northern scrap yard in the world!). They did not have the part and said they would phone me if they could source one. So I headed off to the
Bergen Panorama
Look out over Bergen. Had to catch a train to the top. North Cape on a dodgey bearing to see the midnight sun.
The North Cape is like any other piece of land looking out to sea. Only it costs 40 quid to get to the last 100 yards and stand next to the metal globe marking the spot. Well worth it!
On the way back, fortune took a hand and I got a phone call from the scrappers who had found the part. What are the chances of that! A 1987 VW Transporter RH Front upper wheel bearing. As it was so late in the day, we agreed to meet the next morning at 9.00am when I changed the part in 2 hours.
I then headed for Finland and lake Inari. The scenery change is quite dramatic. Instead of the snow capped mountains, fjords and winding roads, Finland is quite flat, full of fir trees and lakes. I have had such a relaxing drive down through Finland. After another fair few km I crossed the artic circle once again going south. It was here that Santa Clause (the real one!) lives. He is a thoroughly nice bloke. He apologised for not returning my letters (as he needs a
Geiranger Fjord
Some of Fjords are just breathtaking clear address written on the letter). I think I will type my next one this year. The Santa Clause post office is really good to see. There a so many letters from around the world.
Currently I am in a place called Rauma. This is an old 18th century town and is still intacked as it has not been destroyed by fire or war. The old cobbled streets and closely built wooden houses really are a tourist treat.
Over the next few days I am planning to head out to the Aland islands and then back round to Turku and Helsinki. I will then cross the Baltic to Estonia - Tallin before leaving the camper van for 2 months and embarking on the Trans Siberian Railway across Russia to Beijing. More travel Bloggs to follow.
Don't work too hard,
Dave.
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Dom
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Sweet memories
Hi Dave, your pictures really bring back some great memories of my charity drive nearly 10 years ago. Nordkap was described to me as "a lot of fuss about less than you might think" but it has to be done!! I even got a picture of Santa driving my Freelander! keep on trucking. All the best, Dom.