Flatdal ~75 miles
Rested with the wander around Langesund which was the perfect sized place to arrive we are headed inland to our Norwegian base for the next few nights, the plan to be central within the Telemark region - cities are no attraction to us on this trip (or any trip for me).
I checked beforehand: Fladal just up the road from Selfjord which has a couple of Petrol garages so starting the day with a full tank is going to be no issue.
Norway orientation
- Light - infact this has been the case since the north of Denmark, sunset is around 10:30/10:40pm and sunrise as early as 04:30 this time of year. Its just never really dark!
- Drivers are really polite/timid - not just the tourists, but the whole feel of driving is nothing like the UK.
- Roads are generally slow, what I'd expect to be a 60mph A road is more 40/50mph tops in Norway with lots of no-overtaking roads that did initially make the going slow. 50mph on the right sort of winding mountain road is no real restriction anyway.
- Unless on a city break you need a car - Norway's tourist offerings are mainly outside - walking/hiking/exploring - and very spaced out.
Masses of relatively empty roads and still great weather for our drive north,
Pictures never really capture the scale of scenery,
The road around Selfjord,
Nutheim Gjestgiveri
We arrived at the hotel around 17:30, still a clear warm day.
The hotel is located in Flatdal at the top of the Seljord valley on a hairpin absolutely stunning location. Theres nothing here but the hotel - perfect!
Historically a coaching Inn and before the road moved slightly in the 1980s there was a garage next door. Now they focus on being an arts centre with gallery downstairs. Inside the place has a cosy family run small/hotel guesthouse feeling. Plenty of painted timber as is the way in Norway!
First task, pictures in front of the establishment - and a little to the concern some customers trying to have a quiet coffee as I tried to position the car in exactly the right spot.
Checking in - we lucked out with our room - room #3 is the one to go for at the front of the building with fantastic views down the valley. No sign of the daft UK hotel ranking systems here - so no TV in the room, no kettle - just peace and a comfortable place to relax.
We sat outside with a cold beer, these pictures taken at 18:00 - still 4+ hours of daylight remaining.
A local art club were meeting and dining at the hotel. We are just visible in the first picture, I am trying to work out what they were painting from the back of the canvas as they took turns to pain't - turned out it was truly freestyle no particular subject. As much the club meeting as producing the artwork. (Hope they don't mind me re-posting their picture here)
The food here is excellent (important to keep the crew happy!) - 3 course fixed menu and preceded with, in Norwegian on our first night, the history of the hotel. Norwegian has an interesting sound - its calm, an unhurried rhythm with definite pauses between certain key sounds - very relaxing even though I don't understand a word of it!
We shared a table for the evening meal with a couple from Oslo & Scotland. He had seen RL13 in the carpark so ended up talking cars - he was restoring a Lotus Esprit, very into the outdoors lifestyle, and gave us some excellent local knowledge on places to visit. I found out the banners/streamer flags are flown because a standard Norwegian nation flag can only be flown in daylight hours so would only normally come out for special occasions - however one of those official occasions is your own birthday.
Location check - I think we're actually further north than the Scottish mainland now, furthest north for RL13, and amazing weather considering. Three nights booked here to explore the local area before meandering home.
The target of the road trip accomplished Wales to Norway - car running fine, driver and passenger in good spirits.
No comments :
Post a Comment