Monday September 12

September 13, 2016

Monday September 12 – Andalsnes

The Atlantic Road - through the front window!

Two kiwis have big smiles on their faces….not a drop of rain today, the sun has shone all day and the temperatures have been close to 20 degrees. Summer has finally arrived in Norway, and it seems that it will continue…at least for a few days. And it couldn’t have been better weather for a great day’s drive.

First stop this morning was to the Co-op supermarket to get wifi and load the blog, as well as some grocery shopping. This is the first of the big Co-op stores we have been in and were most impressed with their selection and prices. They even had a huge hardware section, almost like a small Bunnings. Everyone was happy!

Then we headed west and no sooner were we out of town than we entered a 6.5km tunnel that dropped 250 metres below sea level to cross to the next island…still can’t comprehend this. There was a toll when we exited of 120 NOK, which was a lot cheaper than a ferry! Ian put Ruakiwi into second gear to drive up and she just cruised. The area is a mass of small rocky islands and on a perfect day like today, they just looked magic.

Had a slight detour when we saw a huge oil drilling rig sitting in a harbour presumably getting maintenance done. Couldn’t believe the size of it.

Jennifer W had alerted us to keep an eye out for the Norwegian Stave Churches and there was one about 10kms off the road at Kvernes, so a side trip was called for. Drove through some really pretty farm land with traditional houses and barns, all beside the ocean. The church was positioned on a high point surrounded by farm land overlooking the water, so had lunch in the church carpark, doors and windows open as it was so warm. Went for a walk to check out the church which dates from the 1200’s but sadly it was shut so could only admire from the outside. Parts of it had been rebuilt over the years, but there was still an original section which Ian was most interested in, checking out how it was put together using wooden pegs.

Back on the main road and soon we were on what is called the Atlantic Road, rated as a top drive. It crosses lots of little islands, with eight bridges. The work commenced in 1983, it took 6 years to build and the tolls paid it off 10 years later, it is now toll free. We walked around one of the islands on a new 550m floating path, so beautifully engineered and designed. We really enjoyed the time on the road, but surprised that it was all over in 8kms!

Continued on around the coast to Bud where the scenery was less inspiring and travelled through quite a lot of towns as we drove onto Molde.

After a 10-minute ferry crossing from Solsnes to Afarnes, we hit the magnificent fjords, huge towering mountains and deep narrow waterways. Such a contrast. Back into areas with snow still on the tops, somehow this is the fjords that we picture Norway is made of.

We continued on into the town of Andlasnes where I had read on another blog about a great motorhome camping area in town beside the railway lines and the fjords. Sure enough there were already four others there when we arrived just before 6pm. Perfect. Got chatting to a very friendly German couple who spoke great English, Conny and Gerhart. Really enjoy meeting fellow travellers and hearing what they have seen and done and where they are going.

..and tomorrow we are going to drive the Trollstigen road!!!