POLAND Pomerania

Poland Pomerania

30/07/07

Driving off the ferry boat and out into Poland, a stark contrast from across the Baltic in Sweden. I had not driven 2 Km when i found the traffic was being held up by a horse and cart heading home from a hard days toil in the forest. The quality of the roads had also dropped several grades , Broken concrete and large potholes where trucks had slipped off into the gutters . Mind you this was the port area and heavy traffic on soft under lying sand and mud will always give rise to humps and bumps .

I drove 20 minutes to get away from all the action and found my self on the perimeter of one of Poland's smallest National Parks, Wolin. I located a parking Zone and was ushered into a tight spot beside a Semi. I was expecting much more business later in the night as the Parking space was a sealed disused factory forecourt, able to accommodate several hundred trucks. I slept soundly and in the am,found that i was the only vehicle still in the parking space 0600hrs,

Wolin NP is well presented, tidy with signage in Polish,German and English, It is one of the best beach holiday destination for ramblers from all over Poland. The landscape is of small rolling hills which came about from the melting of the ice sheet years ago. Bison have been reintroduce to part of the park in an effort to bring them back from the brink of extinction. I have seen another relocated Bison herd in Kent, England at the Howlett Zoo.

The vegetation is so luxuriant at present there was little hope of spotting them . The forest is pristine, very limited undergrowth with tall straight Oak's, Pines and Beech. I stopped and listened to an array of bird I haven't heard before. Large black and white Storks are nesting on top of power poles . There dirty white coats and long red beaks and legs straddling chicks. A family of 8 Cranes had landed for a spell on a recently tilled paddock. These birds stood nearly a meter tall, dull Grey and black in color with crimson head feathers , no tail feathers similar to an emu. Two of them were constantly on alert while the other fed.

The main roads are narrow and single lane giving rise to the potential for road rage. I have seen some lunatics today , passing with only seconds to get back on to the correct side of the road. I was telling myself to be vigilant when something out the drivers window caught my attention. In the time I took my eyes of the oncoming to have look . An idiot swerved out and was coming straight at me on my side . I took the correct evasive action and headed for the verge . He kept coming, overtaking the car on his side and missing my front left by half a meter. Bastard.

I thought the secondary roads may be safer. Well they are like riding a bucking bronco . Pothole and Narrow broken verges and still the locals want to pass and do so when there is signs indicating dips bridges or ridges. The big 100 year old Oakes ine the roads, Where there is a root structure there is a Hum and between the trees at interals of 20 meters is the hollow. Hawkers and touts surrounded me in a town called Slupsz ( Sloop Che ) wanting to sell post cards and trips round the town. They soon went to the next victim when i proceeded to making a cuppa .

I camped beside a disused factory complex last night . Woke at daylight and thought Id get on the road before Poland woke up. The morning mist , lakes and farm-scapes where wonderful this morning , i pulled over several times take photos . I soon had to be driving at full speed as all he Poles where rushing to get to work and continuing to put their lives and others in jeopardy doing so.

I was soon rushed in to GDANSK in the rush hour traffic . Its near impossible to navigate and drive

I wonder What will happen next

Alvin

SWEDEN Oland

29th July 2007
Log Number 14

500 kms south of Stockholm was my next destination. My Great Great Grandfather was born on Oland in 1847. He had a brother Peter and that is the basis of my information to try to find some ancestry. They travelled buy Boat out to Australia and New Zealand.

The weather had turned for the worst, cold and blustery, rocking the van round on the highway and making driving more difficult. I generally drive for about 2 hrs before having a break . It surprising who you can meet buring breaks, on the road . Swedes are very helpful and want to tell you about their country and some nice spotsto check out .

The laptop has been a good investment , helped me keep track of my outgoings and I have logged where have been camping, according to latitude and longitude. The spreads sheet also encompasses the mileage , temperature and fuel use . All to be analyzed in the future . Wi Fi connection to the outside world is also becoming very prevalent. It is genealy possible to get a connection by pulling up in the centrum or in a densely populated area .

After an evening meal I generally rest for a while then pull out the laptop and link with friends and family. Thanks to those who are keeping me updated with events in their lives. You can imagine the radio stations are in a language incomprehensible to me and I'm tired of listening to the music on the Ipod. The music i downloaded has now repeated itself several times.

It has taken a couple of weeks of traveling to get a routine with my camping and cleaning , Bev was so pedantic about hygiene in the kitchen area, i can now see why as the mess can get away in a short time.

OLAND is a long narrow island on the Baltic coast of Sweden down from Stockholm about 500 k . This is where we think my Great grandfather originated from. I had called to Borgholm three years ago on a flying three day break from London .

We have a photo which we utilized for the family reunion document, depicting the family home in Borgholm. My cousin Jon Olson found this house when he was in Sweden about 15 years ago. The house has been demolished an council flats ate now gracing the site. At the library i was able to identify the particular house and talk with the locals about it . Apparently it was an old stone house used as a 'Poor House' also used for people with 'Venerial Disease', back in the 1860 when famine and political changes took place .

My research on the emigration data base indicted the 46,000 people with derivations of the name OLSON left Sweden for north America alone . As my Great Great was not on this list then he could well have left as a sailor and worked his passage to seek his fortune. I have to try to find the Parish he was born in which will help the researchers find the old links .

I lingered to long with my research and forgot about my parking meter . Shit I received an polite request to pay a 850sk fine . To compound this it took an other hour to find the place to pay the bloody fine before i left town . I was tempted to bugger off and not pay but now all these traffic infringement and parking fines get processed and sent to the owner at your expense, new UE rules. I want to avoid any bad debt scenario.

Even though the weather was poor with high winds and occasional showers i wanted to have a look at the landscape of Oland . The southern tip of Oland is designated a world heritage site. There are a multitude of pre history sites , ancient tombs, fortifications from the iron age and an area called Alveret . This is like parkahi soils on the West Coast of New Zealand , poor soils with limestone underneath with an array of wild flowers and unique plants .

Farming, dairy and mix cropping, surrounds the central plain and animals graze the Alveret. Windmills new and old dot the landscape . I had struck it lucky, the birds where migrating south with their young. The weather , blowing hard , had held them up at the tipof the island . They were in their thousands, geese, swans, shag and array sea birds. the conservation Department have a capture program at the tip of the island trying to mark and measure the birds of all description. There is a strong smell of rotten seaweed which pervades the air, i couldn't get used to it in the time i was a on the island. I went back to Kelmar on the mainland for the night as i knew i could get an Internet link form there .

I was now at the south of Sweden, in the province of Scane. Most of Sweden's population live in the south in this geographical area. The country side is in full flush. Wheat and barley crops look a picture blowing in the wind . Farmsteads are generally well painted in Red and White trim or Yellow and White which gives a distinctive rural scene. No rubbish or old implements are laying about and most of the tractors are modern with all the mod cons.

I noticed five badgers killed on the road today . It could be silly season for them as well as this does seem a high number of road kill in one day. Badgers harbor TB in the UK and farmers want to eradicate them as vermin. These animals where all fully grown but could have been this years juviniles, learning the rules of the road.

There is a several ways to leave Sweden down south , Ferries cross to Denmark, Germany and Poland the massive bridge structure linking Malmo Sweden and Copenhagen is about 40 KM long . My choice was to take the 8 hr ferry across to Poland's Swimoujscle. The cost of a campervan and one person was supposed to be 1800 Swedish Krone one way, The ticketing girl was obviously new on the job and only heard me say "Small Camping Car". I therefore cross the Baltic for only 800 skr . I feel as though I have retrieved my parking fine.

So I write this Mid Baltic following my ancient Viking ancestors on there way to plunder and pillage mainland Europe

I wonder what will happen next

Alvin

SWEDEN

Thursday 20^th June

Central Sweden

I crossed over to Sweden last night and found a spot down a side road beside a Mountain lake. I can hear the main road above me but to all extents I'm isolated . I decided to have a 'no drive day'. I needed to wash some clothes and tidy the van. The insect impact on the bonnet of the van is summit to behold. I was feeling tired from my travels and felt like a days rest. My log indicates i have covered 4100km not counting the distance traveled in ferry's

This lake is about 10 km long ans 1 to 2 km across , glacial formed with large boulders on the shore line the surrounding hills are low and rolling covered with coniferous forest. There is a man made earth works across the other side and an outlet construction but that is the only evidence that the landscape has been changed. On closer examination, the scotch pine trees about 30 feet tall interspersed with Silver Beech. The under growth is low and soft and spongy to walk on . I'm sure it is covered in snow most of the year. I came through a mountain pass at the border, melting snow either side of the road no snow around here.

The lake is cold and clear. I washed myself this morning and attended to the bit of clothes washing, the temp soon moved up to the 20s by 0900hrs. In the bush beside the van I can hear small animals in the trees and scrub. It took a while to identify a family of red squirrels which are bigger than the London Grays. They have a very bushy tails and ears with extended hair giving them a comical look.

Ants are in abundance in the undergrowth and all round the van, larger than normal and have quite a nip when they get on to your bear skin. Small migges 's and mosquitoes are present. I have had to kept the van closed to get any respite. The occasional bee, wasp and hornet comes a visiting. They are escorted out smartly.

Bird life seems scarce. This morning I could see a few ducks and geese and can hear then chattering away somewhere. About two hundred yards of shore a family / flock of 8 'Black necked divers' cruised by fishing. They attracted several Arctic Terns who were opportunist and swooping down attempting to snatch the catch as the Divers surfaced. I suppose they are rearing chicks nearby also. Across the lake i can see an Eagle's nest high up in a half dead pine tree. It a substantial construction which sticks out against the skyline. No sign of inhabitants, I think the nesting activity has happened. Ill keep and eye out this evening. Its location is ideal as the eagle can come down at speed to the lake.

Spring growth gives a vibrancy to the landscape, I have been watching out for Elk, Reindeer, Moose but have only seen a badger sized unidentified animal scurry across the road in the distance. There is so much grass and pasture about at present that it is unlikely that any animal will appear on the lake shore today.

Have been reading the book my brother in law Bill, gave me when we were in Florida . 'Undaunted Courage', about the early exploration of the American West, following the big rivers the Missouri and Columbia. I read with interest about the tenacity of Grizzly Bears. They hate being shot and will charge even though they have been hit mortally several times. A zoo in the next town ORSA has a collection of Brown Bears. Apparently I'm in the heart of Sweden's brown bear country. Ill ensure the windows and doors are firm tonight. It will one more thing to watch out for over my shoulder, when im having my wash by the lake in the morning.

Sweden alone is twice as big as Britain and it will take a lot of driving to get north.

I'm still tempted to go up beyond the polar circle, and will probably leave the van at a place called SVEG .... I will check out the price of the train north tomorrow and make my plans from there. The 23^rd June will be a big day in Scandinavia as they celebrate Mid Summers Day

I wonder what will happen next

Friday 23rd Sweden

Log Number 14

Have you ever had that sinking feeling when you switch on the Key to the van or car and hear a low grind to the starter motor. Bugger I had run my main battery down . Looking around it was the Cassette Player , Passenger Seat warmer and excessive pull down to power the bloody laptop.

Options without jump leads where slim. Hitched back to the next town to organize assistance. Sven my new friend and savior was knowledgeable about the environment, wildlife, history and future of his Kommune. He chatted, I pumped as we drove back to the van. He was amazed at where i had chosen to park because two weeks earlier he had been instrumental in helping the Police apprehend 'Eagle Nest Robbers' who had utilized the same spot.

He had seen a car , with foreign plates, parked in the spot for three days. No tent or sign of activity. He thought those buggers are up to something and suspected egg thieves as it was Bird nesting time. He informed the police who called to the spot . No arrests where made but the info passed on to central and Boarder Police. Just last week he heard back from the police that two Germans where arrested , they had climbing gear and incubators with two eagle eggs.

He told me, with great enthusiasm, of the Bear Park down in ORCA which i made my destination having a late start to my day. It closed at 1700hrs but the drive up to the hills was relaxing as i seemed to be the only traffic on the road. A female Moose was grazing by the side of the road . Initially she moved away but soon settled and began snatching at new growth on shrubs and bushes. I kept the motor running while i grabbed the video camera from the back . She posed for me for 5 minutes or so before loosing interest.

The bear park is unique in Scandinavia, The carnivorous are having a rough time of it right across Europe and numbers have reduced drastically. This venture is to help conserve and better understand the bear and its needs. The European Brown bear and the Massive Kamchatka Bears where on display in well set out compounds . Viewing platforms high up give a clear view into the hectare sized enclosures . Mothers with Cubs, last year young browns along with several breeding adult browns . They are very active and alert . Feed time was still four hours away.

Other enclosures had Wolverines , I think the one I seen was balmy , it wold run and stop turn and twist sniff and snort in a repeated fashion. I assumed its behavior has arisen from incarceration in a small area for too long. A wolf pack of about 10 wolves in total held my interest . I watched them through the binoculars . Easy to follow when they are on the move but as soon as the stop the blend in with the surroundings and disappear . They were being stimulated by the zoo keeper driving through their enclosure on a 4X4 Motorbike

The biggest Bears I have ever seen where in a separate enclosure. These breeding pair where from northern Russia originally and had recently arrived from a zoo in Hungry. When the big male stood up i couldn't believe my eyes . He was as tall as me in the saddle . An interpretation panel nearby demonstrated that when he stood on his hind legs he was over 3meters tall.

Back in the town of Lakesund, I found a nice spot to park the van for my afternoons rest following my exertion in the morning . Pointing down hill of course . I awoke from my nap to see three women gathering wild flowers around the van . This was in preparedness for the midsummer festival to be held latter in the day

On the river nearby, three longboat were being prepared to bring a party down the river to the main town harbor . The occupants bought with them wreathes in the form of hearts and circles to attach to a may pole in the city gardens . The procession was accompanied by a band playing violins and flutes . All participants where dressed in period costume from the turn if the century. The raising of the May Pole requires about thirty men with cross sticks of varying lengths . As the pole is raised the lifting teams move their supporting poles towards the base thus moving the May Pole to an erect position . All of this process takes time and the band continues to play while dancing and speech making continues

When finally the May Pole is vertical the whole town of about 5,000 people join hands and dance in a circle around the central Pole. Even though there had been a light sprinkling of rain the dust was soon raised and the tempo of the dancing increased along with a variety of different dance moves .

I had set precedence for parking where i planned to stop for the night, when i got back to the van the whole area around me of approximately an acre, was filled with camper vans intent on not paying at the camping Sites .

Next day , down to Stockholm a five hour drive .

I wonder what will happen Next

Sweden Oland

29^th July 2007

Log Number 14

500 kms south of Stockholm was my next destination. My Great Great Grandfather was born on Oland in 1847. He had a brother Peter and that is the basis of my information to try to find some ancestry.

The weather had turned for the worst, cold and blustery rocking the van round on the highway and making driving more difficult. I generally drive for about 2 hrs before i have a break . It surprising who you can meet buring breaks, on the road . Swedes are very helpful and want to tell you about their country and some nice spots to call into for the breaks .

The laptop has been a good investment , helped me keep track of my outgoings and I have logged where have been camping, according to latitude and longitude. The spreads sheet also encompasses the mileage , temperature and fuel use . All to be analyzed in the future . Wi Fi connection to the outside world is also becoming very prevalent. It is not often that i cant get a connection by pulling up in the centrum or in a densely populated area .

After an evening meal I generally rest for a while then pull out the laptop and link with friends and family. Thanks to those who are keeping me updated with events in their lives. You can imagine the radio stations are in a language incomprehensible to me and I'm tired of listening to the music on the Ipod. The music i downloaded has now repeated itself several times.

It has taken a couple of weeks of traveling to get a routine with my camping and cleaning , Bev was so pedantic about hygiene in the kitchen area, i can now see why as the mess can get away in a short time. I try not to use the toilet facilities in the van because even with infrequent use, it still requires an effort to attend to dumping.

OLAND is a long narrow island on the Baltic coast of Sweden down from Stockholm about 500 k . This is where we think my Great grandfather originated from. I had called to Borgholm three years ago on a flying three day break from London . We have a photo which we utilized for the family reunion document, depicting the family home in Borgholm. My cousin Jon Olson found this house when he was in Sweden about 15 years ago. The house has been demolished an council flats ate now gracing the site.

At the library i was able to identify the particular house and talk with the locals about it . Apparently it was an old stone house used as a 'Poor House' also used for people with 'Venerial Disease', back in the 1860 when famine and political changes took place . My research on the emigration data base indicted the 46,000 people with derivations of the name OLSON left Sweden for north America alone . As my Great Great was not on this list then he could well have left as a sailor and worked his passage to seek his fortune. I have to try to find the Parish he was born in which will help the researchers find the old links .

I lingered to long with my research and forgot about my parking meter . Shit I received an polite request to pay a 850sk fine . To compound this it took an other hour to find the place to pay the bloody fine before i left town . I was tempted to bugger off and not pay but now all these traffic infringement and parking fines get processed and sent to the owner at your expense, new UE rules. I want to avoid any bad debt scenario.

Even though the weather was poor with high winds and occasional showers i wanted to have a look at the landscape of Oland . The southern tip of Oland is designated a world heritage site. There are a multitude of pre history sites , ancient tombs, fortifications from the iron age and an area called Alveret . This is like parkahi soils on the West Coast of New Zealand , poor soils with limestone underneath with an array of wild flowers and unique plants .

Farming, dairy and mix cropping, surrounds the central plain and animals graze the Alveret. Windmills new and old dot the landscape and i had struck it lucky the birds where migrating south with their young. The weather , blowing hard , had held them up at the tip. They were in their thousands, geese, swans, shag and array sea birds. the conservation Department have a capture program at the tip of the island trying to mark and measure the birds of all description. There is a strong smell of rotten seaweed which pervades the air, i couldn't get used to it in the time i was a on the island. I went back to Kelmar on the mainland for the night as i knew i could get an Internet link form there

I was now at the south of Sweden, in the province of Scane. Most of Sweden's population live in the south in this geographical area. The country side is in full flush. Wheat and barley crops look a picture blowing in the wind . Farmsteads are generally well painted in Red and White trim or Yellow and White which gives a distinctive rural scene. No rubbish or old implements are laying about and most of the tractors are modern with all the mod cons.

( Bit like you Bernie )

I noticed five badgers killed on the road today . It could be silly season for them as well as this does seem a high number of road kill in one day. Badgers harbor TB in the UK and farmers want to eradicate them as vermin. These animals where all fully grown but could have been this years juviniles, learning the rules of the road.

There is a several ways to leave Sweden down south , Ferries cross to Denmark, Germany and Poland the massive bridge structure linking Malmo Sweden and Copenhagen is about 40 KM long . My choice was to take the 8 hr ferry across to Poland's Swimoujscle. The cost of a campervan and one person was supposed to be 1800 Swedish Krone one way, The ticketing girl was obviously new on the job and only heard me say "Small Camping Car". I therefore cross the Baltic for only 800 skr . I feel as though I have retrieved my parking fine.

So I write this Mid Baltic following my ancient Viking ancestors on there way to plunder, rape and pillage mainland Europe

I wonder what will happen next

Alvin

SWEDEN Broen Bears

Central Sweden

I crossed over to Sweden last night and found a spot down a side road beside a Mountain lake. I can hear the main road above me but to all extents I'm isolated . I decided to have a 'no drive day'. I needed to wash some clothes and tidy the van. The insect impact on the bonnet of the van is something to behold. I was feeling tired from my travels and felt like a days rest. My log indicates I have travelled 4100km not counting the distance traveled in ferry's

This lake is about 10 km long and 1 to 2 km across , glacial formed, with large boulders on the shore line the surrounding hills are low and rolling covered with coniferous forest. There is a man made earth works across the other side and an outlet construction but that is the only evidence that the landscape has been changed. On closer examination, the scotch pine trees about 30 feet tall interspersed with Silver Beech. The under growth is low and soft and spongy to walk on . I'm sure it is covered in snow most of the year. I came through a mountain pass at the border, melting snow either side of the road no snow around here.

The lake is cold and clear. I washed myself this morning and attended to the bit of clothes washing, the temp soon moved up to the 20s by 0900hrs. In the bush beside the van I can hear small animals in the trees and scrub. It took a while to identify a family of red squirrels which are bigger than the London Grays. They have a very bushy tails and ears with extended hair giving them a comical look.

Ants are in abundance in the undergrowth and all round the van, larger than normal and have quite a nip when they get on to your bear skin. Small migges 's and mosquitoes are present. I have had to kept the van closed to get any respite. The occasional bee, wasp and hornet comes a visiting. They are escorted out smartly.

Bird life seems scarce. This morning I could see a few ducks and geese and can hear then chattering away somewhere. About two hundred yards of shore a family / flock of 8 'Black necked divers' cruised by fishing. They attracted several Arctic Terns who were opportunist and swooping down attempting to snatch the catch as the Divers surfaced. I suppose they are rearing chicks nearby also. Across the lake I can see an Eagle's nest high up in a half dead pine tree. It a substantial construction which sticks out against the skyline. No sign of inhabitants, I think the nesting activity has happened. Ill keep and eye out this evening. Its location is ideal as the eagle can come down at speed to the lake.

Spring growth gives a vibrancy to the landscape, I have been watching out for Elk, Reindeer, Moose but have only seen a badger sized unidentified animal scurry across the road in the distance. There is so much grass and pasture about at present that it is unlikely that any animal will appear on the lake shore today.

Have been reading the book my brother in law Bill, gave me when we were in Florida . 'Undaunted Courage', about the early exploration of the American West, following the big rivers the Missouri and Columbia. I read with interest about the tenacity of Grizzly Bears. They hate being shot and will charge even though they have been hit mortally several times. A zoo in the next town ORSA has a collection of Brown Bears. Apparently I'm in the heart of Sweden's brown bear country. Ill ensure the windows and doors are firm tonight. It will one more thing to watch out for over my shoulder, when im having my wash by the lake in the morning.

Sweden alone is twice as big as Britain and it will take a lot of driving to get north.

I'm still tempted to go up beyond the polar circle, and will probably leave the van at a place called SVEG .... I will check out the price of the train north tomorrow and make my plans from there. The 23^rd June will be a big day in Scandinavia as they celebrate Mid Summers Day

I wonder what will happen next

Alvin

NORWAY June 2007

I have been going too hard so far .

Im knackered doing this trip on my own , under estimate the effort required to navigate in a strange country with incomprehensible road signs , drive on the wrong side of the road , clean myself , ADLs, cook, clean, planning , reviewing , photograph, video, write account of trip and to top it all of to relate to people who cant understand a word you are trying to say.

Tonight i have lowered my expectations, had a greasy Burger King meal and chilling out outside some Norwegians house who has an unsecured internet line.

Had the last few days driving through spectacular scenery . Too much , too big and too many corners. Your instinct are to learch to the left when a car appears out of know where . WRONG ! There is so much to take in and the roads are narrow with passing bays along the way.

The birds are nesting at present so they are depleted by 40%. Have seen a range that i have seen in Scotland and a couple i have not seen at all . A book we have on Scottish Birds relates to this area as well . I parked under a large gull rookery today . Set up my bed in the van and watched them fight and squabble as they tried to keep their eggs from getting cold.

Im currently north of the Shetland Islands and about a days drive from the Polar Circle . The highway is called the Atlantic Highway.
Last night the sun was still on the high mountains at midnight. The day never goes to dark just a Gloomy Grey, you can see for miles. I have been surprised at the quantity and quality of the farm land in the valleys .It haymaking season right now so every farmer is busy making hay while the sun shine. I was under the impression that there was bugger all arable land . it is not unlike Marlborough Sounds in NZ, only much bigger

I utilised a ferry to come down a massive Fjord called, Gairanger . Tight walled , high sided with multitude of waterfalls all with fancy names .( the seven sister ) In years gone by, adventurist farmers had sheep ,cows and goats up high below the snow line . Must have been a bitch even getting the animal up there let alone getting any produce out again. I suppose they just threw the bale of wool down to the waiting boats . Probably carried lambs and calves up and let them grow to adulthood up there. All farming in the alpine regions was finished in the 1960s, Uneconomic

The weather has been kind to me so far, It looks a bit rough for tomorrow I want to fishing on the high seas so need to go and find some Norwegian Mates . Well enough of my ramblings

Keep in touch

I WONDER WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT

Alvin

SCANDANAVIA TRIP

DEPARTURE 080607

Moving house is always stressful. Bev and I rented a small key worker flat in Woolwich london, for the last two years . Furniture and clothing has accumulated along with an array of electrical gadgets and paraphernalia

Bev has moved back to NZ . Rachel and her will be revamping our flats in readiness for providing Traveler accommodation next summer . Art has always been a desire for Bev, she is in the process of setting up her art Gallery in Hokitika . I have packed tea chest full of the remaining and sent this home . To think we came here with a couple of suitcases and always had restrain when buying goods and clothing.

My last day in the flat was hectic . People coming to collect goods and furniture I had sold on the net. I was putting out the last few bags of rubbish when i heard the click of disaster behind me . Luckily i had put trousers on as i was now standing in the passage way with no way to get back into the flat. I had retrieved me spare keys from my friend in readiness to hand the keys in on Monday . They were neatly arranged on the sink bench inside along with my Mobile and keys to the camper van. .

I utilized the neighbors phone to arrange a Locksmith . £150.00 for an emergency weekend call out. Bugger that what other options. I called my friend to buy me a Tee shirt on her way over and i was bereft of clothing from the waist up.

Monday morning, a bloke form the shop below my flat had blocked me with his car in my usual parking spot . I told him of my dilemma "I used to be a locksmith, Ill open it for you" gratitude bubbled from my lips.

Last year when Bev and I traveled down to Turkey in the Camper van we met an older German couple . They had worn out two Mercedes Camper vans and had covered 400,000 km around the continent . I asked which was their favorite countries . They both answered in unison, Turkey and Norway. We both agreed with there assessment of Turkey. A must do for travelers . Their suggestion that Scandinavia was a top spot remained with me. My ancestors are vikings, hailing from southern Sweden . I have been to the family home in Borgholm and will go back this time with a chance to dig deeper and see if i can find any remaining links from the past .

I have had the van for sale over the last three months . One taker pulled out a month ago and left me with the opportunity to travel north . My work at Oxleas Trust was a temporary nature . I chose when it finished and now I'm ready to venture north .

The usual checks on the van's wellbeing have been carried out, Breaks, Oil, MOT, Insurance, Tyres. Ill try to get another 6000miles out of the back tyre . Probable expose me to more punctures, Ill test my luck.

I have a GPS which covers Scandinavia. New roads and alterations may not be right up to date but hears hoping . The usual safety equipment is aboard . First aid Gear, torches, replenished gas bottles,drinking water. My cupboards are chocker with the food supply from our flat.

I'm a bit addicted to the Internet and had withdrawal symptoms when i parted with the PC in our flat. A quick search of the internet and i had a new Laptop with WI-FI capabilities . It has been a surprise to me how many places have unsecured Internet access. All to my benefit. A site on http://www.multimap.com/ will indicate where the Cafe's and Hotels are that offer this service to guests and Camper van drivers who park temporary in the yard to search and send .

its early June and working towards the shortest day of the year soon. 21^st June I think. I plan to be up beyond the arctic circle by the end of the month. The northern lights, Aurora Borealis is said to be spectacular sight . Parkie has been in the southern Fjords of Norway which by all accounts will be awe inspiring. I plan to be away from England for about two months. Summer has been erratic weather wise so far . We have had some hot days but only into the low 30s . London seems to generate it own heat on hot days, which has the locals panting.

I looked at the Speedo as i pulled out of Woolwich 80880 miles on the clock. My trip planning tells me a further 6000 miles will be added over the next couple of months .

I'm now writing this update sitting above Dover's White cliffs watching Sea France, Norfolk Line and P& O ferries come and go into the harbor. The wind is blowing enough to rock the van. I cant quite see across to France 20 miles away as there is a low haze and sea mist. Grey overcast sky, its early summer in Kent . The wheat crops a full grown and the seed heads have formed . The country side is lush with new growth and abundant wild flowers.

My ferry booking is for an early sailing tomorrow morning. I had hope to be able to bring it forward but the buggers want extra money, I would sooner put it into the fuel tank than into their pockets.

I have scanned my anxieties about the future couple of months. Bev and i have learn to keep our documents and ourselves safe traveling over the last few years. I'm confident in the camper van the mechanics are good, ford transits are great work horses, its facilities are all i need. I will have to do a bit extra to keep it to the standard of tidiness that Bev set on previous trips.

Theft will be a constant risk. I'll try to carry my valuables with me in the back pack. I have a back up British passport now in case I do get rumbled.

I want to get to meet the people in their own environment, The back roads are best in the van. I will visit the museums in the cities but will mainly be in the rural s utilizing back roads

I have trepidation about coming down through the Baltic states from Tallinn in Estonia down to Poland. I have some contacts to link with in Helsinki and will get there advise and guidance before I take that route.

My evening meal tonight is Buckwheat , Red Salmon with a touch of olive oil and parsley. I can eat it out of the pot to save the washing up.

090607

Saturday

Slept soundly , Several other vans parked nearby , I heard one head away for an earlier sailing. I woke at 0430 ,daylight was poking through the sky light as my eyes focused in the gloom

Tomatoes on toast and tea with condensed milk. I had sorted the van last night and was prepared if my internal alarm fail me . I had set the mobile to let out a scream at 0445.

It always surprises me the range of activity at the Port of Dover, one of the busiest ports in Europe. Being midsummer there were hundreds of campers and caravans , Freight truck and Motorcyclist all cued to get on the Ferries comprising the P & O Line, Sea France and My favorite Norfolk Line. My sailing took me north to Dunkirk a two hour crossing . Wi Fi connection for passengers must have played a part in the Norfolk Line company receiving a ferry operators award this year

The motorway north through Belgium was flowing freely. The the right and left is industrial complexes distribution warehouses and manufacturing factories . Hay making is in full swing the farmers will be cursing the enclement weather . Towards the Netherland border the canal become more prevalent. I was tempted to turn off the main drag for a while but the occasional down pore help me decide to remain o the fast route north.

A variety of smells reached my nostrils . The dominant smell in norther netherland is of dairy effluent . It sprayed on the paddock with high pressure pumps leaving the smelly part airborne.

Other smells at of recently milled or treated timber, freshly cut grass , and on occasion, the fragrance of flowers, emitted from massive tunnel houses .

The new three bladed super wind Harvesting generators perched on 100 meter towers are scattered through out Belgium , Netherlands and northern Germany . To help these monsters to blend in the base is painted green shading up to white at usual tree level , It does help to blend the tower into the surrounding environment

Occasionally the traffic comes to a crawl . On one occasion a caravan had flipped on to its side . An elderly German , pale and shaking stood by, looking in disbelief at his smashed up Mercedes Benz and near new caravan.

I had driven most of the day with several stops for s cup pa and chat with fellow travelers . I had covered 460 miles since starting off this morning so called it a day in North east Germany at Oldenburg. Found a quiet truck stop and pulled the curtains

The food tonight is Tomato's on butter fruit bread

100607

Sunday WWW. HOSPITALITY-CLUB.ORG

The night was accompanied by a huge thunderstorm, very heavy rain lightening flashed throught the skylights . I slept well.

I woke at 0530 , toast and a cuppa before hitting the road again . I revered to driving on the left as i pulled out of the truck stop , gave way to a car who intended to turn where i was waiting. He shook his head and drove round me. "stupid Pomms".

The north eastern corner of Germany is rural. Main crops seemed to be Wheat, barley, Rape seed, Corn,as i moved fiurther east towards Hamburg. Forestry and specialist plantations of Ammenity trees broke the natural landscape of pine and willows.

Hamburg Highways where full to overflow . I crept along in second gear for 20 miles . Road works and the shear volume of traffic. The workmen were at home but had left all the barriers and deviations in situ. Overall the roads and road conditions are excellent. They need to be as the highways have an open speedlimit . I can travel at 105 km / Hour. And get passed as if im standing still by modern BMW, Audi's, Merceded Benz, and array of fast Japanese cars.

Due north from hamburg , two hours is the Denmark border, i pulled my Documents in readiness only to find the staff were having the weekend off. No checks or stamps here. I was staring to wilt , and needed to get off the highway . My map indicated scenic routs across to ESBJERG. The fifth largest town in Denmark, Fishing haven for the north sea fleet . A relaxing brew on the wharf watching the ferry depart for UK Harwick, the off shore wind farm boats with their sea legs to spub into the bottom while erecting new towers for wind turbines , and array of support vessels , and thousands of fishing boats . If this many where in port how many where there at sea. I drove through a Fish processing factory . Seemed to be in recess as there was no action or sign of recent activity. The smell was still atrocious with fish oil and old industry. Notable was the lack of bird life, no Gulls of Turns scavenging or waiting for opportunities for food.

Monday 10^th June

Camped it Vardie Town car park . Met Germans

To get a bettr undestanding of the danish country side i took to the B Roads. These are slower and pass through villages and hamlets , The speed limit is 50 KM in the towns . Im sure i had my picture taken for exceeding the limit on one occasion .

Drove back roads to Ferry across to Zealand