July 30, 2016

A sunny day at the Queens Castle Fredensborg, Denmark


What elegance and what a place for the Queen of Denmark - and this is only one of many castles to the Queens disposal. Incredible this Kingdoms still living in countries like Denmark and Norway.
What a super class paid mainly by the peoples taxes....

But of course we Norwegians know very well our Danish friends after being ruled by them for some 400 years until our own handling of the land started in 1814. then in a form of coop with the Swedish before we first in 1905 was "free" from our Scandinavian friends
- but of course where to find our new king if not in Denmark where their Price Karl become our first king in modern times as King Haakon 7.

The photo is made of a 2 photo stitch.

More of the Fredensborg Castle from the net:
At the end of the Great Northern War King Frederick IV asked architect Johan Cornelius Krieger, royal gardener to the court at Rosenborg Castle, to build him a small pleasure palace on the site of a farmyard named Østrup. Krieger built the French-inspired baroque palace 1720–1726, and the King himself took an active part in the planning of the building and grounds, and followed construction closely. The man responsible for the actual construction was General Building Master Johan Conrad Ernst, who was also responsible for the construction of Frederiksberg Palace.

While the building was still under construction Denmark–Norway and Sweden negotiated a peace treaty, which was signed July 3, 1720 on the site of the unfinished palace The treaty determined the fate of Skåne, which since that time has been a part of Sweden, and ended Denmark’s eleven-year participation in the Great Northern War. To commemorate the signing of the peace accord the palace was named Fredens Borg (lit. "Peace's Castle").

A rainy day at Fredriksborg Castle in Hillerød, Denmark



Rain and thunder was very present under some days we just enjoyed in the old town Hillerød in Denmark. Above  details from the sculptures in front of the old Fredriksborg Castle.

The madam fit for traversing rain and thunder in the Baroque Garden at the Castle.

More of Fredriksborg Castle from the net:
It was built as a royal residence for King Christian IV of Denmark-Norway in the early 17th century, replacing an older castle acquired by Frederick II and becoming the largest Renaissance residence in Scandinavia. Frederiksborg Castle (Danish: Frederiksborg Slot) is a palatial complex in Hillerød, Denmark.

Situated on three islets in the Slotssøen (castle lake), it is adjoined by a large formal garden in the Baroque style.

Fredriksberg Castle in Hillerød, Denmark


You enter the palace through a narrow gate - and there you are with your normal lens - unable to catch the whole facade in just one photo.
The solution then is of course to make a stitch of 2 photos and have the whole façade included at a rainful day as it was under our visit in July.

A little more of this castle from the net:
Frederiksborg Palace is situated on three islets in the castle lake in Hillerød, north of Copenhagen. The palace, which is surrounded by the beautiful Frederiksborg Palace Garden, was built in the Dutch Renaissance style at the beginning of the 1600s by King Christian 4

To the left the Madam out in the Baroque Garden in the rain.

July 29, 2016

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Denmark



When on Northern Sjaelland - you better visit the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art.
Here some samples from their art installations.
From the net:
Art, architecture and nature
A visit to Louisiana is an experience where art, architecture and nature is manifested to one.
Get an impression of the 'spirit of the place' as Louisiana's founder Knud W. Jensen called the atmosphere of Louisiana in their exhibitions


Find outside and inside art installations and/or participate in a guided tour.


July 17, 2016

Byrkjelo in Norway: Birthplace of Vikings (Photo: iphone6+)


The village Byrkjelo is not directly by the sea but some kilometers inland. With the dramatic setting between some mountains and the grey sky this day it sure was easy to think some connections far back in time - 1200 years back to around 800 AC when the Vikings was in their prime time raiding over the North Sea to the British Isles. It must have been fantastic to break out of such places locked in by the mountains and enter a longship to explore the big world.

Some more viking stuff from the net:
Think of the Vikings and it's not poetry, woodcarving and storytelling that spring to mind, but colourful images of horned helmets, berserkers, longships, Valhalla, the one-eyed god Odin and men dying sword in hand or drinking out of skulls.

And it’s true, the Vikings were pirates who came to plunder and kill, and they spread terror along Europe's coasts. But their reputation is not entirely fair: They were not just ruthless warriors, but also skilled traders, administrators and craftsmen in metal and wood, producing beautiful jewellery and artefacts that survive to this day.

The Vikings were also some of Europe's best storytellers and the Norse sagas continue to fascinate modern audiences. And, by the way, they did not have horned helmets: No self-respecting Viking would want to look like a cow.

Alexandra Hotel in Loen. Norway. An iphone6plus photo.


Morning in Loen with the big Alexandra Hotel over at the other side of the fjord.

Some more of this Hotel and this place from the net:
Set near fjords and an 8-minute walk from Loen’s church, this upscale resort hotel is set 28 km from the glaciers at Jostedalsbreen National Park.

A breakfast buffet is complimentary. Amenities include 2 sophisticated restaurants, 2 cafes, a trendy nightclub and a rustic wine cellar. Warmly decorated rooms feature flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and minibars, in addition to desks and mountain or valley views.

July 16, 2016

Entrance to the famous Geirangerfjord, Norway. iphone6plus


Just where the famous Geirangerfjord is starting. The fjord in the foreground is Synnulfsfjorden coming from Stranda to the left and going to the right to Hellesylt (photo below).

Some more from the net:
Geiranger is a small tourist village in Sunnmøre region of Møre og Romsdal county in the western part of Norwa
It lies in Stranda at the head of the Geirangerfjorden, which is a branch of the large Storfjorden.

Geiranger is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, and has been named the best travel destination in Scandinavia by Lonely Planet. Since 2005, the Geirangerfjord area has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

July 15, 2016

The Spectacular Atlantic Road at the WestCoast of Norway


The Atlantic road. A few kilometers of road along the Atlantic coast that have become a "must" for many visiting this part of our country. Maybe it is close to be a "tourist trap" as only a few kilometer is of real interest - as here with a spectacular bridge as shown.  But of course it starts in the north with a tunnel of app. 6 km and reaching a depth of 250m crossing under a fjord between Kristiansund and Averøya.

Some more from the net:
A unique stretch of road which takes you right out to the ocean’s edge. In 2005, the road was voted Norway’s «Engineering Feat of the Century», and is also known to be the world's most beautiful drive. It connects Averøy with the mainland via a series of small islands and islets spanned by a total of eight bridges over 8274 meters. The road was opened in 1989 and is toll free. The Atlantic Road has National Tourist Route status and the entire stretch between Bud and Kristiansund is one continuous experience packed with coastal scenery, culture and history.

July 14, 2016

Sunset by the Atlantic Road. Norway


In a summer with so many rainy days one appreciates the few sunsets you can have. Not least here by the Atlantic Coast where you face the big ocean to the West.

Stitch of 2 photos

Some more from the net about the Atlantic Road: A unique stretch of road which takes you right out to the ocean’s edge. In 2005, the road was voted Norway’s «Engineering Feat of the Century», and is also known to be the world's most beautiful drive. It connects Averøy with the mainland via a series of small islands and islets spanned by a total of eight bridges over 8274 meters. The road was opened in 1989 and is toll free. The Atlantic Road has National Tourist Route status and the entire stretch between Bud and Kristiansund is one continuous experience packed with coastal scenery, culture and history.

July 13, 2016

Mountain riders. Dovrefjell. Norway.


Popular event up at the mountain Dovrefjell app. 350km North of Oslo.
Riding along the old Pilgrims road to the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim to honor St. Olav.
Even this summer where the rain is more common than sunny summer days.
2 photos stitched.

July 10, 2016

Waterfall in Valdres, Norway 3 photos stitched


Even a small waterfall can give a good expression when, as here, stitched with 3 photos.

A fine trout river up in the low mountains of Valdres with he name: Flya.

Mountain tranquiity in Valdres Norway (Photo iphone6plus)


Passing this little lake up in the valley Tisleidalen in Valdres often invites for a short stop for a photo of the idyllic lake where this old boat have done its last trip for fishing wild trout.

July 8, 2016

The fantastic stave church in Heddal, Norway


From ancient times - build in wood and still standing there - the old stave churches in Norway.

This is how VisitNorway describes this fine almost 800 years old Stave church:

Heddal stave church, a masterwork of wood, it is the largest of the 28 stave churches in Norway today. The church lies along the E-134 west of Notodden, on the way to Seljord-Haugesund.

Norway's largest stave church built in the 1200s and still in use. Rose paintings from 1600's, "bishop's chair" and incense vessels from medieval times. Heddal Stavkirke - the largest stave church in Norway.

Around the year 1250 the expanded with a larger apse as we see it today. Ore-pine from the woods in Heddal, beautiful carved portals and inventory indicates of a blossoming age in Heddal at the time. The church is used for ordinary events in the summer.  Next to the church lies a vicarage barn with a summer and church exhibition.

Heddal stave church doesn't just look like it comes from a fairytale. It is a fairytale.

Mountain pass in Solitude. Smaaroi, Buskerud, Norway


I was as good as alone as I crossed over the mountain pass from Rjukan in Telemark and to the mountain village Geilo in Buskerud in July.

Under the threating clouds hoovering above it was a mighty and impressive landscape in the summer - with only some small dots of snow up in the hillsides.

A long drive that took an unpleasant amount of time with my little travel caravan due to the bad road.

To the left a view to Sonstevatn (Sønstevatn) before we go down to the valley Numedalen and Dagali.
standard on a big part of this little used route.

July 7, 2016

Showboat along the Telemark Canal. Norway


I was biking along the Telemark Canal in July and was catching up with the MB Henrik Ibsen on her way to Skien. Already from a far distance I could hear the disco and shouting from the party people onboard - just in the middle of the day - what a life - what a way to travel.  To the idyllic setting in this photo there is not much of the idyllic scene left with pop music blaring out over the canal....

Some info from the canal admin:
Telemark Canal was carved into the rock over 100 years ago. When the canal was completed in 1892, it was called the "eighth wonder".
The Telemark Canal - one of the most beautiful waterways in the world.
It consists of two waterways; Skien- Dalen and Skien-Notodden. The canal connects the coast of Telemark with the interior through eight locks at a distance of 105 km from Skien to Dalen.

In addition, you can also experience the canal by car, bicycle or on foot. Therefore, it is now possible to experience the Telemark Canal by ferry, charter boats, your own boat, canoes and kayaks.

Safe harbour along the Telemark Canal in Norway. iphone6+


Sailing along the Telemark Canal must be a safe way of travel vs. sailing in open sea. Here by the Canal locks at Lunde where some boats will stay overnight in the fair weather this summer day in July.

Canoes ready for use the next morning
Some info from the canal admin:
The Telemark Canal - one of the most beautiful waterways in the world.

The Telemark Canal was carved into the rock over 100 years ago. When the canal was completed in 1892, it was called the "eighth wonder" The Telemark Canal - one of the most beautiful waterways in the world.

 In addition, you can also experience the canal by car, bicycle or on foot. Therefore, it is now possible to experience the Telemark Canal by ferry, charter boats, your own boat, canoes and kayaks.It consists of two waterways; Skien- Dalen and Skien-Notodden.  The canal connects the coast of Telemark with the interior through eight locks at a distance of 105 km from Skien to Dalen. .

July 6, 2016

Red spots along the Telemark Canal, Lunde, Norway. Photos: iphone6plus


The Telemark Canal right at the locks near Lunde. A super place for taking your canoe out.


Telemark Kanal Caping offer super spots to park your camping car, caravan or tent.

Henrik Ibsen in the Telemark Canal, Norway.


What a place a canal going form the coast of Oslofjord and inland to some fine valleys in Telemark.
Here the tourship Henrik Ibsen is just coming out of the lock at Lunde. Below find a photo of the ship in the canal lock.

Some info from the canal admin:
The Telemark Canal - one of the most beautiful waterways in the world.
The Telemark Canal was carved into the rock over 100 years ago. When the canal was completed in 1892, it was called the "eighth wonder".
The canal connects the coast of Telemark with the interior through eight locks at a distance of 105 km from Skien to Dalen. It consists of two waterways; Skien- Dalen and Skien-Notodden. Therefore, it is now possible to experience the Telemark Canal by ferry, charter boats, your own boat, canoes and kayaks.
In addition, you can also experience the canal by car, bicycle or on foot.

As we wait for the afternoon rain. Telemark, Norway


What a summer with all those days with rain - even after one fine sunny day the rain is there in the afternoon. This photo is from my camp right by the very popular Telemark Canal bringing you from the coast of Oslofjord and to the inland mountains in Setesdal.

The red campercar at the Telemark Canal Camping in Norway


A very idyllic camping right by the Telemark Canal in the Southern part of Norway. A super stay on a fine summerday as here.


To the left our own little caravan placed next to the shores of the Telemark Canal.  A good choice for traveling around with its small size and easy to tow around.
Even so later in the season we decided to sell our small caravan.


July 3, 2016

Norway sometimes a land without wifi. Photo iphone6 plus


Presently I travel around in the Southern part of Norway in my little travel caravan. Often to small camping sites where wifi is not at work at all.
But I'll be back when possible.

This photo from a grey Sunday up in Valdres in Norway.