Hello to fellow 'californians' from 2 new members

[docbob1]

We picked up a new California ocean 2 months ago after being caravanners for many years. Now the children are less dependant aged 25-39! (never truly get shot of them) and we have retired, thought we would do some travelling. We have towed/toured across Europe as far as Poland and Spain/Italy. For shake down trips in van we have been to the Yorkshire Dales and Holland for 8 days. Van is 150DSG, great to drive and have fallen in love with her (wife doesn't know yet). Got 48MPG from Yorkshire to Hereforshire even though only 1000mls on clock so far, so looking forward to travelling extensively without serious fuel penalties of a motorhome.
I agree with the opinion not to buy extras until using the van to see what is needed but one thing we bought was a 'Rainbow Screens' wraparound topper. Brilliant piece of kit, keeps van very toasty upstairs even in very cold weather, keeps light out to help with sleep and also noise reduction, no flapping in strong winds unlike other toppers. There is a youtube video on them.

We are off to Norway for a month at the end of May and would value any help from members who have been there re routes, things not to miss etc. We will be using Hull Rotterdam ferry and probably enter country from Oslo then head south and west before going North (not sure how far north we will get in the month) Itinery totally fluid so opinions please from experienced members will be most welcome particularly with regards to paying road tolls.

Incidently Cali is called 'Eva' after Eva Braun, Hitlers lady friend. As he founded VW in the 1930's we considered 'Adolf' but as the wrong sex and it it didn't seem to sound right for her we settled on Eva!!!!!!

Bob and Caroline

 

[Hotel California]

Welcome allong , we been to south Norway in june a few years ago

Three weeks south- and mid- Norway

So , off to Norway in the Cali ! We leave home this weekend heading thru Germany planning a overnight stop here, little below Hamburg : http://www.campercontact.com/nl/duitsland/niedersachsen-no/sittensen/11600/camperplaats-wassermuhle.aspx Around 400 km from home hoping to arrive there sunday...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

be prepared for all kinds of weather in one day.

 

[Perfectos]

Docbob, kids 25&39 nearly ready to go to the shops on their own Under today’s expectations!

Good luck with the trip at the end of the month, don’t forget to post some pics of the new family member and the next trip!

 

[docbob1]

Welcome allong , we been to south Norway in june a few years ago

Three weeks south- and mid- Norway

So , off to Norway in the Cali ! We leave home this weekend heading thru Germany planning a overnight stop here, little below Hamburg : http://www.campercontact.com/nl/duitsland/niedersachsen-no/sittensen/11600/camperplaats-wassermuhle.aspx Around 400 km from home hoping to arrive there sunday...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

be prepared for all kinds of weather in one day.

Many thanks for your input, after looking at bridge tolls to sweden then at ferries we will take the Hirtsals to Larvik ferry as aiming initially towards Bergen region, saves miles and tolls even taking into account ferry costs.
Weather I suspect will be variable hence the wrap around topper!!!

 

[docbob1]

Many thanks for your input, after looking at bridge tolls to sweden then at ferries we will take the Hirtsals to Larvik ferry as aiming initially towards Bergen region, saves miles and tolls even taking into account ferry costs.
Weather I suspect will be variable hence the wrap around topper!!!






Reply

Report

 

[docbob1]

Docbob, kids 25&39 nearly ready to go to the shops on their own Under today’s expectations!

Good luck with the trip at the end of the month, don’t forget to post some pics of the new family member and the next trip!

 

[docbob1]

Thanks very much (the kids are 25, 34 and 39) just sold the walking reins in a bootfair for the oldest, the others are still in cots!! Will post some photos of the new 'wife' when in an interesting position!!

 

[Amarillo]

We spent about six weeks in Norway in the summer of 2017 as part of a ten week period circling the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Bothnia with two toddlers and two border collies.

Try to get to the Lofoten Islands. It was probably the highlight of our journey in Norway. Take the Bodø to Å ferry, then enjoy the full length of the archipelago. Flåm is worth a few days. Avoid the E6 wherever possible and have snacks ready for the queues for ferries.

No need to book campsites.

If the weather is miserable (as it will undoubtably will be on occasion) hiring a cabin for the night will give you more space, though the facilities and comfort will be little better than the Cali.

Reindeer meat tastes like doner kebab meat - but maybe that was just the (comparatively) cheap stuff from a Sámi tent - so not worth trying, but you’ll probably want to try in now to confirm if what I say is correct!

 

[docbob1]

Thanks Amarillo for your advice, will look up Lofoten islands to see if a 'goer'. I Don't eat Doners so will give rheindeer meat a swerve, keep to the raw fish ,dried cod and other delicacies. Incidently we are thinking of Hirtshals to Larvik ferry crossing do you know if it is cheaper to book in advance or just turn up?

 

[Amarillo]

Thanks Amarillo for your advice, will look up Lofoten islands to see if a 'goer'. I Don't eat Doners so will give rheindeer meat a swerve, keep to the raw fish ,dried cod and other delicacies. Incidently we are thinking of Hirtshals to Larvik ferry crossing do you know if it is cheaper to book in advance or just turn up?

We drove through Denmark and Sweden to get to Norway, so cannot help you with the ferry. In general on longer passages in Scandinavia half of car places are pre book and half are turn up and go; so if you do turn up and go, arrive in good time. I think pre booking carries a small premium, but I suggest ignoring that and do whatever suits you best: the flexibility of turn up and go or the certainty of pre booking.

 

[docbob1]

Thanks for the advice, what were the bridge costs and did you use a 'Tag' to reduce them? as we are considering returning via sweden to see the wife's relative in Stockholm.

 

[docbob1]

Docbob, kids 25&39 nearly ready to go to the shops on their own Under today’s expectations!

Good luck with the trip at the end of the month, don’t forget to post some pics of the new family member and the next trip!

Will post some pics of trip, hopefully get as far north as Lofoten islands
regards

 

[Amarillo]

Thanks for the advice, what were the bridge costs and did you use a 'Tag' to reduce them? as we are considering returning via sweden to see the wife's relative in Stockholm.

Storbaelt bridge is 245 DKK.
We took the Helsingør - Helsingborg ferry to Sweden which is 325 DKK one way.