Haugersværlia - 7 July 2018

Geoff 

First task this morning was to empty the loo. There was no facility on our camperstop which was a bit surprising. Anyway, a couple of miles down the road, we entered a village and followed signs to an emptying point. It was on a small site and the owner's charge was 50NOK (about £4.50) which I wasn't willing to pay as, so far, we've either used disposals on sites where we've overnights or used free ones. The owner explained at great length about overheads and cost to him of disposal. I fully understood and told him so. I also told him he was bringing tears to my eyes and played my imaginary violin. We parted on good terms. Anyway, I started the engine and he came running over, saying he saw we were right hand drive and he loves the English, even though he would be supporting Sweden in the World Cup tonight, and we could empty our loo for no charge. We shook hands. 

Today was a day of delightful driving, much of which was beside fjords with forest clad mountain sides all around - typical Norway. We didn't need to cover a great distance. We stopped for a leisurely lunch close to an old stone bridge, the sort I'm sure might be home to a troll or two. 

Arriving in Lavik, we were just in time to board the ferry to Ytre Oppedal, continuing on the E39 and through a couple of longish tunnels until we reached Haugsværlia and our camperstop, next to a small Joker supermarket. It was shut but next to it are loos and a shower, all free to use. 

There is one other occupant. We chatted a lot about all sorts of things. He gave us a copy of his local newspaper from 2010 in which there was a double page spread feature on a round the world cycling trip he undertook. Of course, it's in Norwegian so translation will have to wait. His name is Anders Dale but a brief look online didn't throw up anything. 

I went for a walk down through part of the village. Lovely views across the valley. We are surrounded by mountains. 

Amanda

Beautiful weather today and, at last, feeling no pressure to get on with the journey, we lingered over a leisurely breakfast. Our overnight stop may have just been a rest area, but it was far nicer than a lot of campsites we have seen, with spotless facilities, hot water, and even a couple of tents pitched amongst the lakeside trees. I was almost tempted to have a morning swim. Almost.

A few miles further along the E39, a stop to empty the loo, about which I'm sure Geoff will have more to say, and another at the ever reliable Rema 1000 store for wifi and a bit of food shopping, and it was soon time for a leisurely lunch stop beside a pretty stream with a little stone bridge going across it which must surely have been a hiding place for trolls.

Onwards through endless stunning scenery - the road  almost always follows lakesides before diving through tunnels - and one ferry crossing, from Lavik to Oppendal, and we reached tonight's stopping point soon after 4pm. It is at a little service area with views down into the valley, where a shop, cafe, post office, petrol station and hairdresser all appear to be closed for the weekend. There is a nice outdoor sitting area with picnic benches, loos, hot water, and even a shower. And it is free. One or two cars have stopped briefly. We are now the only ones here  apart from a pick-up with motorbike onboard, with a caravan on tow. It belongs to Anders, who emerged soon after 6 to congratulate us on winning! He is very chatty and has lots to tell about his travels! It is a beautiful evening, and the sun has not yet disappeared behind the mountains at 9.30.