Help needed, but is it safe to come in here?
When I announced my intention in chat the other evening to post a request in here it was greeted with gasps of horror and mutterings about it being a dangerous place - all those fierce Vikings etc I decided to ignore these dire warnings as I am sure you are not like that at all and I hope you will be willing to help me.
My problem is this: I intend to bring my caravan (the sort with two wheels and a towbar, but no wings) to Norway during Spring next year. Unfortunately, even though I have wanted to visit for quite a few years, I do not have a great knowledge of the country. Can any of you suggest some places I should visit and also the best time? I would like to take my caravan to a more rural area but am quite happy to drive around to see places. A nice, quiet site near a fjord would suit me but with reasonable access to other parts of the country. I want to make a trip above the Arctic Circle and would dearly love to see the Aurora Borealis, although I do understand that this cannot be arranged to order, more's the pity. Any other useful suggestions would also be very welcome.

I went to Narvik a couple of years back. If you are willing to drag a big heavy caravan above the polar circle this is probably a good place to go. Situated at aprox 68 50 N 17 50 E. Narvik is located at the inner part of ofotfjorden and you can easyli take a daytrip to the north atlantic ocean - beautyfull sight, if you are lucky you might see some whales. From Narvik you can take the train to the swedish national park in Abisko, maybe stay overnight at the icehotel in Kiruna.
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/15463/

Good luck.

You better get up here while it's still dark at night! By mid april it's to late........and you will be hard pressed to find it after, let's say march. It was stunning on Saturday btw, green, blue and red....

Quick, lads, get him!!!

For how long are you staying? I think unless you have about unlimited amount of time, you should go to one area of the country and explore that area. If you decide to go to northern Norway, then make sure you take your time to travel all the way out to the end of Lofoten, for instance. The Narvik area and Senja island is fantastic too.

Actually the whole coastline from Trondheim to Bodø is super, but also there you should take your time to drive along the small winding roads off the main routes. Make sure to take some og the ferries out to the small islands off the Helgeland Coast.

Then there is the rest of the coastline from Trondheim via Bergen and Stavanger and all the way to Oslo...

Pick an area and stick to it. It is tragic to see all the german caravan tourists who push on for days and days to get to the North Cape, who have no time to stop and see the beautiful scenery off the main road.

DX Wombat,

I know this message can be , but if you check out www.cockpitforum.com you will find some serious local knowledge about the region you want to visit next year. Keep us updated. And who knows, may be the friendly vikings will receive you with a bash somewhere along the Norwegian coast. I wish you a fabulous trip to a very special area of Europe

Thank you everyone, well four out of five of you, who has replied so far. I'll deal with the odd one out later
POL.777 Narvik sounds just what I am looking for and I will definitely be taking time to explore the local area.
M609 Perhaps I should use a long weekend off to get to the North of Scotland to see the Aurora in March. You are a lucky person being able to see it.
Nick Figaretto Thank you for all those suggestions. I am hoping to have about 10 or 12 days but can't be sure at the moment. I don't intend doing the German Tourist bit, I want to see the local, off the beaten track areas too and having to pack up the caravan every day and drive off to another site is not my idea of fun. I did it once with my mum but that was because she could not manage long distances in the car so needed frequent overnight stops. I don't for one minute regret doing it as it was the last time she was able to visit me before she died and she had a wonderful time. I am thinking of staying at two sites in different areas for a few days at a time.
Harek den Hardbalne (sorry I don't know how to do the "o" over your name), thanks for your good wishes and that url, I will have a good look at it when I have a bit more time to really give it the attention it needs. I will keep you all posted about my progress, intended route, and dates and would be very happy to meet up with any of you who may be around. You four have proved my point that Vikings are not uncivilised, far from it There is, however, always one who blots the communal copy book, in this case Miserlou.
Miserlou you describe yourself as a "Pilut" hmmm, you need enlightening. I am NOT "him". I am well aware that ladies who tow their own caravans are few and far between and those who take them abroad are an even rarer species but you have just met one of them. Actually you can be forgiven for the mistake as my name doesn't really give a clue as to whether I am male or female and yes, I DID realise it was all a bit of fun as is this bit if my reply.
I'm looking forward to this trip and am off now to try to look up some ferry times and prices.

DX Wombat,

With such valuable information, the Vikings along the coast of Norway will dock their LongBoats to to greet you to their shores.

And do not worry about the "o" on top of the "a", you will have enough time to get used to æ, ø and å when you get to Norway

Just a quick update. I will be sailing from Newcastle on 14th May and arriving at Kristiansand on 15th, leaving almost two weeks later on 27th from Kristiansand. I haven't quite decided on my route yet but will let you know when I do so. North of the Arctic Circle is still a definite plan, the rest is more flexible.

I trust you have settled all your affairs and left a note at you solicitor of how your estate should be divided.

But of course I have Techman However I think it only fair to inform you that you are NOT one of the beneficiaries I have also passed on a copy of this thread to my brother who is a policeman
I'm looking forward to this trip and I have been informed by a reliable local source that I will be there for your national Holiday

I hope you made provisions in your estate affairs for the Daisy restoraton and avionics upgrade fund.

Well Wombat, just thought I'd warn ya about Norway. You know there are monkeys up in them mountains, so if you hear a banjo playing in the distance just keep on driving. Ya don't wanna end up like ol' Ned Beatty.

Don't worry Techman I'm not likely to actively seek out anyone or anything playing a banjo no matter how skillful the player. It is not one of my favourite instruments.
Wiz! How nice to see you What are you doing in here though? I would have thought it was much too chilly for you. To answer you question yes, Daisy will benefit but ONLY if there are no remotely suspicious circumstances surrounding my demise. By the way, I thought she had had all her avionics upgraded last year before the Outback Air Safari - they haven't been pinched have they?

I like to nip into the colder regions occasionally, just to see how the other half live.
Avionics upgrading is a constantly changing thing, I have my eye on an expensive GNS450. it will make the dash look a little bit more like Sebs.

I told you we should have kidnapped PIL whilst we had the chance at Broome I'm sure Seb would have been delighted to take on the challenge of Daisy

Defitenely.

It is fun in up north on spring time, but most of the fun comes with skies.(planes or downhill or somesort.) But if somone wants to make a tour (and specially Above artic circle) after mid summer (Aprox 27th of june) is very good time. Sun is still not setting, nature is blooming and life is easy.

I hope U have fun exploring northern hemisphere.

And Do not plan too long driving sessions around norweigian coast...It may take 4 hours to travel 100 meters journey along coast and make it aroun fjord.

Weather just coming ok now......... but price of a beer a damn long way to go !

I arrive at 0900 on Saturday at Kristiansand and am hoping to spend that night at least at Egenes Camping at Flekkefjord. I have no fixed itinerary after that but intend to head for Hardangerfjord and also Oslo (yes I do know they are in different directions ) So keep your eyes open for a bright red Vauxhall Zafira with GB plates and give me a wave if you see me. I won't have computer access during my trip. The reason for the fluid itinerary is because I sent several emails but didn't get replies in time to work out a route or make definite bookings. I'm looking forward to seeing your lovely country, you never know, I may even catch up with one or two of you.

Wombat, I am making the crazy assumption you would be a fellow crocodile hunter.... if you need any advice on places to visit North of the Arctic Circle, don't hesitate to send a message, I think you'll probably do as many foreigners here and end up forgetting you have to leave!!!
The only scary thing about these Vikings is they are damn good pilots !!!