• Loek Scheepers
  • UtLieske OnTour
  • Oscar Scheepers

Lieske goes North

A little roadtrip through Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Read more
  • Trip start
    April 29, 2022

    Leaving home. Part I

    April 29, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    In a few minutes I will pack the last things, and try to wake up Lieske, as it is time to go.
    A last coffee, check the route to my son in Bilthoven ...and off we go!!

  • Waiting for some strangers. (Part II)

    April 29, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    As we wait for the "ketelbrug" were some strangers want to sail from the ketelmeer to the ijselmeer, I do a quick post. Lieske did her best. Getting together again. She still is stubborn girl. It will take some time to get used to each other...again.
    I picked up my son in Bilthoven. Again a goodbye. ...
    And now on our way to Oldemarkt.
    Wait for the surprise!
    Read more

  • Fallen for Lieske's charm.. part III

    April 29, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    As a surprise I arranged a meeting with the owner of a private Ambulance collection in Oldemarkt. Its owned by the son of the Dutch coachbuilder Visser, Leeuwarden.
    In my past I drove a lot of Visser Ambulances.
    I hoped to spark a fire.. ;)
    Now we arrived at a farmer in Aduard, who had no place for travelers like us..
    But one glance at Lieske.... and all doors opend, and we were allowed to park in front of his shed and stay for the night.
    Groningen city is 7 km away, the ferry less than 60km.
    And maybe.. maybe we go and visit a "longtimenoseen" friend.
    But for now... mission completed.
    Good night!
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  • Thoughts and silence..

    April 30, 2022, North Sea ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Although it was not a real task for Lieske to bring us safely to Eemshaven. It was nonetheless not as easy as many of you might think. But we made it safely on board of the MS Romantika.
    Enjoying the view over the sea, the turning turbines and the clouds slowly colouring, as the sun sets.
    This might be the time to say a few words about our concerns for the almost escalating war in the Oekraïne. Hopefully the people in power will understand that the path of war is never the path humanity should walk.
    Fear, death and destruction is not on our wishlist.
    It's almost a bit strange to be on holiday in these times.
    In 16 hours we hope to arrive in Kristiansand.
    Hopefully nothing irreversible will happen to this world as we are "off grid" in a few moments.
    Love you all.
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  • Hahaha....

    May 1, 2022 in Norway ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Today we arrived at Kristiansand. And we made it our mission to reach the Preikestole. Or at least the startpoint for our hike early tomorrow morning.
    The plan is to get there 04.00h. We will see.
    Anyway. It was a fantastic tour getting here.
    We wanted to be safe and take the E39 all the way to stavanger. But an accident on the route, forced us to take a detour.
    Met some bikers who convinced us to take a different route as Google advised.
    And yes. However difficult driving conditions, it was great!!
    Lieske did well, sometimes second gear and crawling uphill with 30km/h but what a views.
    First of May. Seems to be a festive day in Norway too. Many people are having fun and we hope they will be sleeping in tomorrow. So we will have the Preikestole for ourselves.
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  • Small steps!!

    May 2, 2022 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 0 °C

    04.00h. Its was still pitch black outside. So we decided that it might be too dangerous to climb a "mountain " during darkness.
    Around 05.00 we got in front of Lieske and started the engine.
    We arrived at the downhill parking of the Preikestole 15min later. Had a quick breakfast and started the 4km, 2hours hike to the famous rock.
    And to be honest. This was the right time to do it. Not only in hours but also in age.
    It was not, and I repeat, it was not a "walk in the park"..
    As we set of, the first climb already got me. And there were a lot more to come. Some nicely prepared with boulders which created a stairway, sometimes a steep path through snow and ice.
    And every time you managed to conquer a steep hill, I got "disappointed" as it was for sure not the last one. Luckily we could enjoy the fantastic views and landscape. And.. we were all by ourselves.
    And finally...we made it.
    Pulpit rock, or Preikestole. Here we are.
    Father and son. We made it!!
    As we both are afraid of heights, I, as a father had no fear that Oscar would go too close to the edge. (That would have been different with Nika.)
    Anyway. We enjoyed the view. However misty and it starts snowing, it was worthwhile.
    Now... two hours back. .. and the worst fear waiting. Getting Lieske out of the steep valley we drove into. As she is very weak in climbing when the engine is cold, we decided to heat her up first, than pay the parking and hit the mountain. And... all went well. Back to the camping, had a quick shower and of we went. Into the direction of the upper main road to Oslo.
    This meant back to Stavanger, Haugesund and back. Or... taking the alternative.
    Oh yes. We did the alternative. Very, very steep climbs, unpaved roads! and of course a surprise around every corner.
    (Proud on our Lieske that she, however we hurt her,.. first gear, hauling engine.. she did it!
    It's not easy, as driver, owner and lover of this precious car. Is this what you want? Sometimes in fear - are we going to make it?- sometimes in doubt - is this what I want?-
    But every time as we arrived on our destination, and hide in her warm belly to get to sleep.. this is our, old lady. )
    Anyway. We made it to Røldal, we camped for the night, minus 5 degrees, but our bed was warm and comfy. Had a Viking Honour 12 years whisky to celebrate the achievements of the day and went to bed.
    Now....
    It's the morning of the 3th of May, had breakfast and getting ready for the jump to Oslo.
    Wish us luck!!
    Read more

  • Leaving the snow behind.

    May 3, 2022 in Norway ⋅ ☀️ 5 °C

    Yes. We left Røldal. And we discovered soon why this is a place of snowfun. We climbed up the mountains and it looked as if winter was still around us. Nice slopes and steep hills covered with a thick white blanket of snow.
    Slowly but surely we are leaving the mountains and fjords to enter the more "Limburg" like part of the country.
    We want to reach the suburbs of Oslo today, so we have tomorrow all day in the capital of Norway.
    Found some great treasures on our way, like the famous old church of Heddal in Dutch called "staafkerk".
    Naturally we arrived safely.
    Thanks to Lieske and her driver ... ofcourse.
    ;)
    We even had some time left to spent the early evening in the city center of Oslo!
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  • OsloCityQuicky

    May 4, 2022 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    Traveling along Scandinavia in less than 14days, and your main goal is Gamla Uppsala in Sweden, and not Oslo in Norway, you might understand that everything we encounter so far, is all a bonus.
    So visiting Oslo is one of them.
    As my travel companion is a Viking fan, we can't miss on the historic museum.
    And as I am a selective artlover, I wanted to see the "scream" in all its versions by Munch.
    Naturally in its own museum. The Munch museum.
    What I did not known, was that the three versions were not displayed continuously, due to the fragility. Once an hour, they rotate.
    As you can expect. We have seen them all. ;)
    Had a stroll around, lit a candle for the ones we dearly miss and those in need.
    And took the bus back to the parking were we left our patient Lieske.
    ..
    This afternoon we leave the city, nice struggle through rush-hour and a campsite at a farmer in Bästad.
    As a surprise for us he got his old Hillman out of the stable and took us on a moose hunt.
    Pffff how could we leave Norway without seeing a moose!!
    Now we can sleep. And tomorrow, (yeah yeah.. today.. as I am late posting) we leave for -as far as we can get- to Glam Uppsala..

    ..
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  • Only pinetrees

    May 5, 2022 in Sweden ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    As I always predicted. Sweden is pinetrees and rocks. And ... yes. I think that's the way it is.
    Pinetree forests, hills and wooden houses.
    Good for hiking. Lieske likes the roads. Fine tarmac and good maintained.
    We crossed the border. Had a coffee at Karlstad, wanted a forest sleep, but the God's decided we should go to Örebro and go glamping.
    Good we did. We otherwise would have missed out this city. And it's worthwhile a visit.
    Now sleep. And tomorrow Gamla Uppsala!
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  • The graves of Viking kings

    May 6, 2022 in Sweden ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Today, I think, it's the most important day of our journey for my son. He always wanted to see the graves of the Viking Kings in Gamla Uppsala. And it turned out to be a fantastic day, also for me. The weather was great , it was a nice drive and the site was quite impressive! We enjoyed the museum, a walk along the burial hills, and the old church, were -oh surprise- mister C° had his last resting place.
    As we were at it, we took the long way home and drove to Uppsala, a city worthwhile visiting. Had a quick look around, a coffee and headed for Stockholm!
    As always, perfectly timed, so we took the metro into the city center and had a nice evening at Gamla Stan.
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  • Stockholm tastes like more

    May 7, 2022 in Sweden ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    As we discovered late night, Stockholm is much more than just Gamla Stan, the old town. To be honest, that part, how beautiful it may be, does remind us to Amsterdam or even Valkenburg a/d Geul.
    It's a tourist trap, but a trap you like to walk into.
    So we decided to certainly visit a few highlights, and some neighbourhoods of the old city.
    The Historiska Museet, is not only free of charge but a must see, if you ever go to visit.
    We also thought that we could hop into the VasaMuseet, were the only intact, 17th century sailingship of the world is being exposed. But sadly we were not the only ones. So we skiped that one.
    We enjoyed the day in the streets of Stockholm and hunted for souvenirs. ;)
    Our conclusion Stockholm is a wonderful city, were you can spent at least a week without getting bored.
    Wasn't there a guy from Austria who said... " I'll be back..."..
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  • Lieske, i love you!

    May 8, 2022 in Sweden ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    On mother's day, we left Stockholm. As Sweden only consists of pinetrees and rocks, we decided to get us as far as possible into the direction of Malmö. So we might be able to catch up some time. Emergency time if something unpredictable would happen, or quality time if we fall in love with Malmö or Copenhagen. We took a lot on our shoulders to do Scandinavia in les than 14 days. But until now, it goes quite well.
    We drove more than 600km today. 400 highway, and the last 200 main roads through villages, forests and fields. It took us 9 hours to get to Svalöv, Hanksville farm. Lieske did well. And we are tucked in for the night.
    Tomorrow Malmö.
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  • Øresundsbron

    May 9, 2022 in Denmark ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    As planned we left the Hanksville Farm in the morning to visit Malmö. Parked at the beach, and walked into the city center. Enjoyed the parks we passed, and the shopping centre. Took a look at the Gamla Staden, drank coffee with a kanabulle. However it was a nice city, after 4 hours walking around we were not impressed. So... we took the jump to Copenhagen. That means ... The Bridge!!!
    Also financial.. THE BRIDGE.. 55euro!
    But hey, there is only one bridge. And a flipping truck driver who did not like my 85km/h.
    But... we made it. We are in Copenhagen, the planned campsite was closed, so we headed for another one, far out of the city. Tomorrow we take the train to the center, a 40min. drive.
    I don't want to drive Lieske into town, pay parking costs and leave her all alone 😢.
    So. That's the way it is.
    Hopefully Copenhagen will be a big surprise!
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  • The little mermaid...

    May 10, 2022 in Denmark ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    As our campsite is outside of Copenhagen, we took the train to the city center. Always an adventure.
    We got of at the østerport station to visit ...
    .. drums.... The little mermaid.
    I know. Its as cheesy as it can get, but it was a must see.
    After that we walked back to the National Museum of Denmark. And i must admit it really has a fantastic collection. From bronze age to modern times and specifically Viking art, and Danish history. Too much for one day, and certainly for a few hours. So we raced through the exhibitions and started the walk to the "Freetown Christiania". An Anarchistic community. Nice to see, but for these Dutch, not very impressive.. ;)
    So we walked back into town. Had a.... sorry McD. And sadly had to choose meat, as the veggie option was sold out. And I was really in need of food!.
    Walked back to the trainstation and now... Happy and tired at a table, writing this footprint.
    Tomorrow another Viking tour. Roskilde.
    Read more

  • Ships who go nowhere

    May 11, 2022 in Denmark ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    Naturally we had to leave the Copenhagen campsite, and hit the road.
    The daily Lieske check and of we go.
    Roskilde here we come.
    What is there to be seen ..
    A long time ago Roskilde was a famous city, who was afraid of being attacked. So they thought that building a defensive wall in their waters, with a controllable entrance.
    And in this entry there has been the find of the century.
    As an attack was eminent, the old chaps, sank a few old viking ships into this entry, so enemy ships could not enter the harbour of Roskilde.
    These sunken ships has been found in the late 50th. And the excavation has been finished in 1962. Than the real puzzle starts. The reconstruction. In the end. Five different vikingships. That leaded to the creation of the Vikingeskips Museet. And not only that. It leaded to building replicas to test and proof the fact that the vikingships really were of essence for the vikings to "conquer the world"..
    We had to conquer some more miles, so we set of to cross Denmark. And we took a rest, near the German border, to have a last snif of the fjords and cook our own diner.
    It started to rain.
    The God's new we were on the end of our journey.
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  • Daß Reinheitsgebot.

    May 12, 2022 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    We left Denmark and crossed the German border. The plan was to go as far as we could into the direction of Bielefeld, to visit some old friends on friday, have a nice chat and a quiet evening and good food.
    But not without having a visit at Hamburg and.. ofcourse.. have a hamburger.

    ..

    We had a nice German beer, in a forest, at a typical German farm.

    Later that evening, fate has decided differently.
    Was it because it would be Friday the 13th?
    .
    Read more

  • What we do for love.

    May 13, 2022 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    A restless night.
    Oscar's girlfriend has her graduation today at the HKU in Utrecht, Netherlands. And we were 450km away...
    We discussed this before, and had made decisions. But on this trip, nothing was planned. So got up early, had a shower and cancelled our dates for the day and took it as a contest.
    Will Lieske, will we, be able to make it to the "party" and surprise Sara??
    ..
    You sure know the answer to this question.
    We did!! We even had time to drop Lieske at Oscar's, buy a bunch of flowers, and take the bus into the city. Had a quick ice-cream, which we naturally deserved.
    And.. go to the event!!
    A big surprise. Some tears, a few kisses. That part was a success.
    After this, we, Oscar and I took of for a short but cosy "end of journey dinner" and headed for the bus home.
    As I had to finish this trip by driving the last 160km by myself.
    As this was how this trip has started.
    Lieske was great.
    We did a wooping 3531 km drive, in 14 days along steep hills, snowy mountains, green plains and gray autobahn.
    Saw a lot of history, city's and landscapes passing. But most of all.. we were together. Father and son.
    We did it. And it was certainly too short.
    I made it home.
    On a Friday! 🤗
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    Trip end
    May 14, 2022