A workout day for Bessie.
After our 2nd night near Ovre Ardal it was time to try and see a little more of the Jutenheim area. The Tindevegen is a road that runs between Ovre Ardal and Turtagrø to the north. It would be our biggest climb to date, the road was open and it was our chosen route as hopefully we would see some of the Jutemheims higher peaks. Norways highest mountain called Galdhøpiggen at 2469 meters lies close by but we would not see that that today. We left the campsite at 09:50 but had to nip into Ovre Ardal for a few supplies, so by the time we left the shop it was after 10:30.
We found the start of the road and soon Bessie was in 2nd gear plugging her way up round the multitude of hairpin bends, the road was narrow and fortunately not busy. when we were driving around in Ovre Ardal the fuel gauge reckoned we had enough for 350 miles, once we had been going for a bit, if this kept up, it said we had enough for 85 miles, lol. We knew that would change again on the decent, but she was definitely working hard. Soon we were out the tress and it was a very barren landscape, and unfortunately also cloudy on the mountain tops but we could see enough to know that these peaks would be well worth a future visit-I will be asking a mate to get his thinking cap on soon and see what could be planned.
Nearing the top of the pass we caught up with a cyclist who was DEFINITELY on the granny ring and was DEFINITELY toiling, but he was still pedalling and he gave us a wee wave as we passed him at a passing place. We had passed a sign saying Credit Cards Only as this was a toll road, and soon we were at the barrier at the top at 1305meters........Now I think on the HebWay we had a sea level to around 350 meter climb on one of the days, so the guy struggling on his bike was DEFINITELY doing OK. When we stopped at the barrier I got out to take a photo and there were his 3 mates waiting on him, they were English so we had a wee blether. They asked if I had seen their pal and I said yes and soon he rolled in. They were all cold and donning extra layers. The next part of their route would DEFINITLY be better for them!! After paying our 90NOK for the pleasure we crossed the plateau area and got some glimpses of the peaks and then started on the long decent, it wasn't as steep as some we had been on, but was enough to get the brakes a bit too hot again. A couple of stops were allowed to let them cool a bit.
Route wise we had a few option today, ultimately soon we hope to visit Alesund for a day or two, but it's how to get there and not miss too much, but not take too long. We had toyed with the idea of visiting another Stave church, this time the oldest, but it was 30km along a road, and then a ferry so we deemed it too far. so we headed south west on the 55 through Sogndalfjora then west following some of the Sognefjorden, as it would be a shame not to see at least a bit of the King of Fjords. Its sometimes difficult to know which fjord arm you are actually looking down along this route, there are branches leading off in all directions, however, we kept our eyes on the road signs and took no wrong turn today, a couple more big Foss were passed and soon we were at the ferry from Hella to Dragsvik. A bit of a squall came through as we waited for this, but the views to the other side were superb with big mountains rising straight out of the water. They're in the region of 1200 to 1500 meters high, so not massively bigger than Ben Nevis but they do rise sheer out the water and so look bigger.
Once over at Dragsvik we rejoined the 13 road, which we had been on days ago, and started along and up the the Gaularfjellet National Scenic Route, first around the coast with some of the steepest and rockiest slopes we have seen rising above the water, with huge runnels from top to bottom that avalanches and stone fall must thunder down during the winter, there's not much habitation near the bottom of a lot of it. Soon we turned away from the water and started to climb in earnest again this time very steeply but only up to about 750 meters where there is a very futuristic viewing platform looking across at the mountains and the winding road below. Logan the Brave and I went out for a few pics while Callum had was having a sleep. I think this is the first time he has slept while we have been driving, perhaps a bit tired after yesterday. We though about stopping here for the night but it was bit manky weather wise and I had hoped to be further up the road a bit. After another false stop and another decision to push on we finally came across a lovely old rustic campsite in the trees by the side of a lake. It wasn't on our App or the map but it was too nice to pass by. This was far enough, still not where I had hoped to be, but not far short. The Gaular is another area well worth another visit, big hills all around us and not dissimilar to the Cairngorms (on steroids).
A few stats.......today we passed the 2000 mile mark on our trip...... Bessie has averaged 30.2mpg...... today she climbed more 2000 metres during 2 climbs, not including all the smaller ups and downs also..........In total we have spent in excess of 73 hours driving!!......And if you have a look at a map we are only about a quarter of the way up Norway😳😳.
We found the start of the road and soon Bessie was in 2nd gear plugging her way up round the multitude of hairpin bends, the road was narrow and fortunately not busy. when we were driving around in Ovre Ardal the fuel gauge reckoned we had enough for 350 miles, once we had been going for a bit, if this kept up, it said we had enough for 85 miles, lol. We knew that would change again on the decent, but she was definitely working hard. Soon we were out the tress and it was a very barren landscape, and unfortunately also cloudy on the mountain tops but we could see enough to know that these peaks would be well worth a future visit-I will be asking a mate to get his thinking cap on soon and see what could be planned.
Nearing the top of the pass we caught up with a cyclist who was DEFINITELY on the granny ring and was DEFINITELY toiling, but he was still pedalling and he gave us a wee wave as we passed him at a passing place. We had passed a sign saying Credit Cards Only as this was a toll road, and soon we were at the barrier at the top at 1305meters........Now I think on the HebWay we had a sea level to around 350 meter climb on one of the days, so the guy struggling on his bike was DEFINITELY doing OK. When we stopped at the barrier I got out to take a photo and there were his 3 mates waiting on him, they were English so we had a wee blether. They asked if I had seen their pal and I said yes and soon he rolled in. They were all cold and donning extra layers. The next part of their route would DEFINITLY be better for them!! After paying our 90NOK for the pleasure we crossed the plateau area and got some glimpses of the peaks and then started on the long decent, it wasn't as steep as some we had been on, but was enough to get the brakes a bit too hot again. A couple of stops were allowed to let them cool a bit.
Route wise we had a few option today, ultimately soon we hope to visit Alesund for a day or two, but it's how to get there and not miss too much, but not take too long. We had toyed with the idea of visiting another Stave church, this time the oldest, but it was 30km along a road, and then a ferry so we deemed it too far. so we headed south west on the 55 through Sogndalfjora then west following some of the Sognefjorden, as it would be a shame not to see at least a bit of the King of Fjords. Its sometimes difficult to know which fjord arm you are actually looking down along this route, there are branches leading off in all directions, however, we kept our eyes on the road signs and took no wrong turn today, a couple more big Foss were passed and soon we were at the ferry from Hella to Dragsvik. A bit of a squall came through as we waited for this, but the views to the other side were superb with big mountains rising straight out of the water. They're in the region of 1200 to 1500 meters high, so not massively bigger than Ben Nevis but they do rise sheer out the water and so look bigger.
Once over at Dragsvik we rejoined the 13 road, which we had been on days ago, and started along and up the the Gaularfjellet National Scenic Route, first around the coast with some of the steepest and rockiest slopes we have seen rising above the water, with huge runnels from top to bottom that avalanches and stone fall must thunder down during the winter, there's not much habitation near the bottom of a lot of it. Soon we turned away from the water and started to climb in earnest again this time very steeply but only up to about 750 meters where there is a very futuristic viewing platform looking across at the mountains and the winding road below. Logan the Brave and I went out for a few pics while Callum had was having a sleep. I think this is the first time he has slept while we have been driving, perhaps a bit tired after yesterday. We though about stopping here for the night but it was bit manky weather wise and I had hoped to be further up the road a bit. After another false stop and another decision to push on we finally came across a lovely old rustic campsite in the trees by the side of a lake. It wasn't on our App or the map but it was too nice to pass by. This was far enough, still not where I had hoped to be, but not far short. The Gaular is another area well worth another visit, big hills all around us and not dissimilar to the Cairngorms (on steroids).
A few stats.......today we passed the 2000 mile mark on our trip...... Bessie has averaged 30.2mpg...... today she climbed more 2000 metres during 2 climbs, not including all the smaller ups and downs also..........In total we have spent in excess of 73 hours driving!!......And if you have a look at a map we are only about a quarter of the way up Norway😳😳.
Bessie is doing a grand job buddy, you have now done more than twice the length of Britains mainland, I had a look on the map this does show you as still very much in the south of Norway 😊 But the destination is unimportant it's the fantastic journey you are on that's the main thing 👍 And I am enjoying the journey via my iPad now as I am home from Shetland yesterday
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