Tuesday 4 July 2023 - Nesttun to Mandel

225 miles

 

An early start this morning, not only because we wanted to see how far we could get but we thought this carpark was likely to fill up pretty quickly with commuters going into Bergen - it's right across the road from the tram terminus. No problems and we were away around 9.00am with a plan to get as far as, if not past, Stavanger. Our Rough Guide tells us that there are two ferries on this route and of course lots of tunnels and bridges as the road crosses from one islet to the next. It was half an hour to the first ferry and, once again, one had just arrived so only a very short wait. This crossing was about 45m but although there was a saloon together with the self-service cafe, we stayed in the van, Terry just popping up to take a photo or two.

As we hadn't done a domestic service for a couple of days we checked out P4N which showed us several service points and we programmed one with good write-ups into TomTom. Waste dumped and water tank refilled we carried on after a brief chat with another motorhomer doing the same. It's very good how the local communities provide these facilities, you don't see them often enough in other countries and as for the UK..........! Back on the road and of course the scenery was yet again different with fewer mountains, plenty of trees, lakes and smaller fjords (a fjord is defined as being open to the sea, no matter how long it is, some of the more well known are very many miles) but also a lot of open farmland too. Obviously there is a higher percentage of population and so there's also plenty of light industry around as well.

In and out of tunnels, the first was 8km long and went under an island and the sea - we noticed a sign saying it was 323m below the surface - and several longer ones popped out of the side of a cliff, across a bridge and back into the cliff on the other side. Being the main E39 from Bergen to Stavangar then Kristiansand and eventually Oslo, it was a good if only generally a two-lane road so speeds were often limited by slower traffic. It must be said, however, that often we were the slower traffic, Norwegians hereabouts not seeming too bothered about posted speed limits. There are regular speed cameras but all are signposted in advance and easy to spot. Another 10 minute ferry with no waiting and it was time for a lunch stop at one of the regular picnic/rest areas, usually located in a nice position with good views and almost all with toilets, beautifully kept.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were making excellent time so we decided to see just how far we could get. Stavangar itself was relatively easy to negotiate as it had a 4km tunnel right under the city, but extensive roadworks slowed everything down. However it became obvious that it was quite possible to reach Kristiansand so we had a short stop and a rethink, then decided to find a campsite within easy distance of the port, book for 2 nights and have a day off. With a likely candidate programmed into TomTom we continued with the late afternoon sunshine at our backs and found Sandnes Camping at Mandel, about half an hour from Kristiansand. There was a queue to get into this obviously popular place but there were a few pitches left so we paid for 2 nights and found something suitable, not the best on the site but perfectly adequate for us. Whilst enjoying our evening meal we espied a Brit, only the third we have seen since Calais, and after tea Bren went for a wander with the dog and had a chat.

A long day today with higher than average mileage but we feel it was worth it.