Hi Badrakumar, the mini meet is at Cannich campsite Friday 18 May. Informal do camping a few s and a few faces old and new getting together its been kindly arranged by Bruce and Angus.

Hi Jake
The mini meet is likely to clash with my other holiday plan. But will get in touch closer to the meet. Inverness is on the way to Cannich.
Regards
Badrakumar

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Chandrasekharan Badrakumar
Stainton, North Yorkshire, UK

Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry operate convenient hours. You wake up fresh to take the road. Let me sit on the desk and do some planning.
Thanks everybody for all the suggestions

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Chandrasekharan Badrakumar
Stainton, North Yorkshire, UK

Wife, dog and myself visited Norway with Motor home late August/early September last year. It was very wet in the western fjords. Apparently the Nordkapp had a nice dry summer! Supposedly the wettest summer in living memory.

I plan on returning this year with the bike.

Norway is pretty expensive and the Norwegian Kroner has increased in value against the Euro since we were there, plus fuel has universally increased in price. Last year, diesel was 23% more expensive than in Germany (but diesel in Germany is cheaper than petrol in Germany - unlike in the UK). Top up your fuel in Hirtshals before the Colorline Ferry crossing to Norway.

Food is 2-2.5 times more expensive than in Germany (but German food prices are probably cheaper than in the UK). Buy a mug of coffee at the Statoil station and get free coffee top ups for the year (or as long as your holiday lasts). Take as much of your food and booze with you. Buy fresh foods at the local supermarkets. Tap water is OK to drink. No need for bottled water.

We went Hirtshalls (Denmark) to Larvik (Norway) and would have preferred to return via Christiansand/Hirtshals, but it was fully booked for vehicles.

Don't speed as a speeding fine will seriously damage your wallet and enjoyment of Norway. Speed limit is generally 80km/h (50 mph) except on the motorway, which is usually 100km/h Larvik to Oslo.

Norwegian school holidays start mid June and many Norwegians head south. Road from Larvik to Oslo on Sunday evening was very slow due to the Norwegians returning from their weekend cottages and caravans in the summer.

Scenery is spectacular. Take your time. Many high level passes are closed until beginning June due to snow (especially the fun hairpin roads).

Norwegians all very friendly and most speak good enough English and are very helpful.

If on a bike, you won't pay road tolls or the environmental tolls at the entrance to large cities like Oslo, Stavanger, etc. But you will have to pay a toll for the tunnel to Mageroya (Nordkapp) plus an exhorbitant fee to visit the artificial structures at the 'official' Nordkapp itself for 48hours. The Mageroya toll is due to be removed once the construction costs have been repaid late 2012/2013.

I think there is one other toll for bikes around about Trondheim. You have to pay for ferries of course, but cheaper than cars, etc.

Wild camping is allowed 150m away from the nearest buildings, cropped fields, gardens, etc. for one night. Official camp sites usually have free WiFi included in the price. Showers may or may not be extra.

Great biking roads and scenery. Enjoy.

Grey Beard

Yep, it is popular in season with lots of folks travelling south from Scotland to take this route; I suggest you also check if anyone is running a ferry route between the Firth of Forth and the continent - this has been a "summer only" option in the past - never used it, but I think it has been offered by DFDS (could have been P&O?).

ps Greybeard provides a good summary; Stavanger comes across as even more expensive than the rest of Norway because of its use as a base for the oil industry - about 6 years ago, a steak and chips + 1/4 bottle of wine came in at £86 per head, purchased in a hotel near the harbour.

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Dave

It looks like I have chosen an expensive destination for my first European trip. But it is a safe country I understand from all of you. Of course plenty of natural beauty. I am also reading Lonely Planet as well.

Recently I changed my Transalph to BMW R1200GS not the adventure version though because of height issues. So to get used to the bike I am planning a trip to Brighton.

Please pour me with more info. Every bit of information I get from this forum is useful.

Thanks
Badrakumar

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Chandrasekharan Badrakumar
Stainton, North Yorkshire, UK

Give me a pm before you get to Brighton and we can meet for a chat, maybe also get some other HU sleepers in Brighton area to join in. I live 5km along the coast. Lindsay.

Yes Love to meet some friends.

I will be leaving Inverness on Saturday the 5th May. Will get in touch closer to the date. Thanks

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Chandrasekharan Badrakumar
Stainton, North Yorkshire, UK

I am likely to hit brighton on 6th or 7th depending on the weather. I can give you a shout when I am in Brighton. I will be staying in my friends place in shoreham. I have sent you a personal mail too

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Chandrasekharan Badrakumar
Stainton, North Yorkshire, UK

Met Lindsay at Brighton and just returned yesterday after meeting friends and their family along the way.

Loads of useful information from Lindsay. Thank you very much.

I was able to drive up to 375 miles in a day. But comfortable with 250 to 300 miles on motor-way. Non-motor-way should be less. Understood my physical capacity and bike well.

I am planning to give up doing all the way to Nordkapp as most of the attraction is in southern Norway. There is time constrain this year due to work commitments. So have to plan for next summer.

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Chandrasekharan Badrakumar
Stainton, North Yorkshire, UK