Sunday July 24, Kyrping

A Viking cruise ship in the Eidfjord

 Today we have really experienced the fjords of Norway, such stunning scenery but some difficult driving conditions. We set off at 8.30 this morning to travel hopefully some of the way with less traffic and it was great. We tootled along and before long we were in the first of 25 tunnels we went through today. This one really surprised us when we saw the GPS version of it, doing a complete circle, popping out for a few hundred metres, then another circle all the while descending quite a lot. The Norwegians do know how to build tunnels, corkscrewing inside a mountain. Down to Eidfjord and surprised to see a cruise ship anchored up. The day was very dark and moody with rain threatening, but so still creating great reflections in the fjord.

Then another tunnel which actually had an underground roundabout, with a road leading off in three directions. It felt so weird. We continued south on HW13 and followed along the edge of the Sørfjorden. Breathtaking scenery with waterfalls pounding down from the mountains and the deep dark colour of the water. Even a 7.5km tunnel along the way. Lots of cherry and apple orchards and they had some roadside stalls but I have no actual Norwegian cash, everywhere you pay be card…except at a stall!

By now the traffic was building and the road in many places was extremely narrow, my feet kept going on the “brakes” as Ian managed to cling just inches from the guard rail as campervans passed within inches of us. It was a tough drive then the rain started but the driver did an admirable job.

Finally at Skare we turned of on the E134 and the road was much wider, had the centre line marked and the traffic eased…whew.  With the weather forecast not looking good, and had been driving for well over 4 hours, we decided to stop for the day at “proper” campground. A real beauty at a small fishing port on the Akrafjorden, well off the main road. What a gem and very relaxing as we sit overlooking the boats and the mountains on the other side of fjord.

We walked out to the end of the jetty and came across a couple filleting some fish and stopped to have a chat. Turns out he was French, she was German and they both were biologists. They had been fishing here last year and enjoyed it so much they returned. They had caught 3 fish, not sure what variety but it was a white flesh.

Lots of photos today…just such amazing scenery. 

Photo of the GPS going into the first tunnel.

 

The roads were very narrow in places!

Roundabout in the middle of a tunnel!

We could not see any road into this cleared land.

A very friendly couple, rather happy with their catch.

Rather nice view tonight!