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Europe - Part 1
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Europe - Part 1

A 150-day adventure by Blue Brute Adventures Read more
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    🇳🇴 Skjolden, Norway
    Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler

    Heading North

    June 24 in Norway ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    After our couple of days in Oslo, we're full of enthusiasm to hit the road and explore Norway.... but the Troopy doesn't share our excitement. A flat battery! It's about 7 years old and worked hard, so we get a jump start and hunt down a new one. Not an easy task, but after a couple of hours we have a new battery and we restart our trip north. Up the E6 highway, initially to Lillehammer (of winter Olympics fame), then on to Lom, before heading West down into fjord country. Some old Stave churches on the way, plus Norway's highest road, before dropping down to sea level and our first fjord. Point for fellow travellers - if you think the price of fuel is high in Norway, wait until you experience their tolls. The E6 highway north of Oslo to Otta is 290kms long, with 10 tolls costing over $70.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler
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    At Last!

    June 20 in Norway ⋅ 🌧 23 °C

    We've finally got to Norway, and we're starting with a couple of days in Oslo. It's been over 10 years since we were last here, and this is the start point for one of the key objectives of this trip. The aim is to get to Nordkapp (North Cape), the most northerly point in Norway and Western Europe. We've got a month to do it . But, first a couple of days in the capital. Oslo is a very structured and organised city. Only a few "great" sites, but certainly worthy of a visit. We're treated to a great storm (and rainbow), and we get another flag. That's 7 new flags for the Troopy in only 2 weeks. In the past, it's taken 2 years to get that many. But, that will be all for the next month.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler
    1

    Sweden's Second City

    June 18 in Sweden ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    It's an early morning start to catch the ferry across to Sweden, where we get breath-tested upon arrival (0.02% limit in Sweden). From there, it's a few hour's drive to Gothenburg. It feels like a working city (which it is). The waterfront and inner suburbs are being redeveloped, but there is a long way to go. There are some canals, but it's far from Amsterdam. But, it's a pleasant city, and we find time for some long overdue repairs. On the top of the list is replacing the driver's door lock on the Troopy (we brought a new one back with us). Taking our time, and with the assistance of the repair manual and youtube, we get the job done. We can now unlock the door from the outside!!!! And, we get another flag.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler
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    Wonderful, Wonderful.....

    June 16 in Denmark ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Copenhagen - an accurate description by Danny Kaye (you have to be old to get it). It's been quite a few years since we were here, and the development has been remarkable. I can't think of another city with such amazing architecture - whether it's 500 years old, or 5 years old, it's simply visually captivating. Unfortunately, it hasn't been captured well by my photographs (too busy looking). Our campground was little more than a concrete carpark, but walking through the streets and taking the ferry taxi was a feast for the eyes. And, we got another flag!Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler

    Not to Plan

    June 14 in Germany ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

    The aim is still to get to Norway quickly, with only a few stops along the way. We're cutting through the North West corner of Germany and originally planned to have a couple of nights in Hamburg. But finding somewhere to stay became a challenge, so we looked for other options. We settled on Bremen, and it turned out to be a good choice. We got some admin done (washing etc), found a nice campground within walking distance of downtown, and enjoyed our walk around the city centre. Lisa had the world's second largest pork knuckle for dinner, and we got another flag for the Troopy.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler
    11

    Canals and Bikes

    June 12 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    After Belgium, it's a quick few hours drive to Amsterdam. It's a stunning city, and the busiest we've been to for some time. We spend a few days exploring the city centre. Plenty of canals, which look fantastic (although I wouldn't recommend swimming in the water). Bikes rule, but push the bounds of being problematic. All in all, we enjoy our time. And, we get another flag.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler
    1

    Back on the Continent

    June 10 in Belgium ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    After leaving Cameron's place, our next key objective was to get the Troopy serviced. We'd organised this in advance to be done in Portsmouth, with Steve, the great mechanic who identified our handbrake problem last year. With that sorted, it was a few hours drive across Southern England to catch the train under the English Channel. It seemed like a good idea - it only took 27 minutes, as opposed to the 90 minute ferry crossing. Pity it was delayed by 90 minutes! When we were off-loaded, it was a quick trip across Northern France and into Belgium, where we spent the night in Bruges. It's a great little medieval city with pretty canals and city square. Of course, it also has the clock tower that is a central feature in the Colin Farrell movie "In Bruges". Put it on your list if you haven't already watched it. But most importantly, two new flags for the Troopy.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler

    Catching up with an Old Friend

    June 7 in England ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    The remainder of our time in England is more focused on covering distance than sightseeing. We have a booking to cross the English Channel in a few days, and that is our primary focus.... with two exceptions. The first is to stop over in Winsley, just outside of Bath, to see our dear friend, Cameron (a classmate from Portsea who strayed to the British Army). We have a fantastic time catching up. The sights of Bath are a very pleasant backdrop, but most of our time is spent eating great food, telling tall tales and drinking far too much. Lisa was particularly unwell the next day.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler
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    A Pleasant Surprise

    June 5 in England ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    With Scotland behind us, we spend our first couple of nights back in England in the northern city of Newcastle (upon Tyne). We hadn't put much thought into this stopover, but we really enjoyed our time in the city. It's got a great history, feels lively, and there is plenty to see. On the outskirts of town are remnants of Hadrian's Wall and the impressive "Angel of the North" statue.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler
    1

    The Capital

    June 2 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    We finish our time in Scotland in the capital, Edinburgh. It has a great reputation, and it didn't disappoint. A truly wonderful city. Amazing history, great architecture, and lively. Certainly the busiest location we have visited to date. But a place we would return to.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler

    The Royal and Ancient

    May 31 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

    No trip to Scotland would be complete without a visit to St Andrews, the home of golf. We had a short walk on the Old Course, taking in the 1st and 18th. But the town has much more than golf courses - one of the UK's oldest universities and a couple of decent castles. On the way, we also have a quick visit to Falkland (and its great castle) and the town of Dunfermline, birthplace of Carnegie and burial place of Robert the BruceRead more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler

    Cairngorms National park

    May 30 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    South of Inverness is the Cairngorms National Park. Home to the UK's highest road pass (a modest 2,200 feet), ski resorts, the Cairngorms mountain range, Balmoral Castle and a bunch of pretty little "getaway" towns. The drive through it was great.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler

    Ness Country

    May 28 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Loch Ness, River Ness, Inverness - the Ness valley is a beautiful part of Scotland. Loch Ness is the UK's largest lake (no Nessy encountered), and the river and city are quite lovely. Sights aside, much to our delight - we have a day of sunshine. It hits 22C and for the first day since we arrived in Scotland we haven't needed a puffer jacket.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler
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    The North East

    May 26 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 12 °C

    After we return to mainland Scotland from the Orkneys, we spend a night at quirky John o'Groats before heading down the East coast. Rare blue ski breaks through, but the wind is still bitterly cold. We encounter great coastline, castle ruins, plenty of farmland and some impressive castles that are still occupied (and with interesting histories).Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler
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    Orkney Islands - Part 2

    May 25 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    More of the lovely Orkney islands. It's not hard to cover the main islands - distances are short. In addition to its Viking and Scottish history, the islands have significant Neolithic monuments (Stonehenge-like) and some great coastal vistas. We were told how wonderful the weather was - it reached 13C!!!Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler
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    Orkney Islands - Part 1

    May 23 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 13 °C

    The Orkney Islands are visible off the coast of Northern Scotland, so we get ourselves a reservation on the ferry. They have a great history, dominated by centuries of Viking occupation. Fishing and farming are the primary industries, and the towns are small and friendly. The coastline is 90% steep cliffs, with just the odd bay and beach. There are plenty of light houses and an interesting maritime history with the famed Scapa Flow natural harbour.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler

    North West Scotland

    May 22 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Our path continues northwards through the Scottish Highlands, along the famous NC500 route. As we get closer to the north coast, the mountains finally retreat and the steep coastline becomes dotted with a few beaches. The sand is white, and the water is clear.....but very cold. 8C is our estimate, about the same temperature as the air. Not swimming weather! To get some warmth into our bodies we call into one of the many distilleries. Wolfburn, a small affair, but with quality whiskies and they provide a generous tasting of nine of their bestRead more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler

    The Isle of Skye

    May 18 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    The Isle of Skye is our next destination to spend a few days, and the Westerly-most point we will visit in Scotland. There are not many trees, but the coastline, mountains and streams are stunning. It's a very rugged beauty, and the weather continues to play a supporting role. We fit in a few short hikes, a couple of distilleries, and spend plenty of time getting used to Scotland's notorious one-lane roads.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler
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    Glencoe and Ben Nevis

    May 16 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    We back-tracked a little so we could explore Ben Nevis and the striking Glencoe region, with sights such as the Skyfall Valley (of James Bond fame). It is a truely beautiful drive, and while the cold winds and rain (with snow on the higher peaks) would normally detract from a road trip, it sort of added to the ambiance of this drive. After the valley, we had a short stop over in the town of Fort William before setting up camp at the base of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak. It was never our intent to hike to the top, which is a good thing because the top was covered in a thick layer of snow. We were happy with our trek to the mid way point, and made it back just before another cold front hit.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler
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    The West Coast

    May 14 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C

    After our time in Glasgow we head West, past Loch Lomond and through some of the “high country” to the West coast town of Oban. Famous for its distillery (we taste a few of their finest) and as a holiday stepping off point to the islands and coast of the Inner Hebrides. It’s a pretty town, but the weather is foul. Indeed, since our arrival in Scotland we’ve been “rugged up”. Even the locals have been complaining about how cold it is. The daytime temps have barely got out of single digits and the mornings have been just above zero. But it’s the bitter wind that makes it really unpleasant.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler
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    Glasgow

    May 12 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    We have a couple of nights in Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow. It’s a vibrant city with an interesting mixture of old and new - 70s office towers beside 17th and 18th century grand buildings. The city is busy with reconstruction - preparing to put on its best face for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. It’s a working city. A bit gritty, and very lively.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler

    Sunny Scotland

    May 10 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    On the road again! After a few days in an AirBnB in Belfast, it’s time to get back into Troopy living, and Scotland is the first destination. It’s only a short drive on Mother’s Day morning to Larne, where we catch the first of what will be many ferry crossings on this trip. The crossing is smooth, and we dock at Cairnryan mid afternoon. It’s a pretty coastal drive along the Irish Sea (with the Mull of Kintyre in the distance), and we stop at the impressive Dunure Castle before arriving at the coastal town of Ayr where we’re able to “free camp” on the esplanade for the night.Read more

  • Blue Brute AdventuresEurope - Part 1Traveler
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    Belfast

    May 8 in Northern Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    After a long, long four-leg journey to Dublin, it was a one hour taxi trip to where the Troopy was stored. With batteries reconnected and systems, tyres etc checked, we headed to Belfast. We had a number of aims to achieve in Northern Ireland’s capital - recover, resupply, check out the city, and get some work done on the Troopy, The last task was well handled by Corey and his great team at McKay Motor Works. We now have a hand brake that works and the reassurance that the truck has been looked over by experienced mechanics. We visited the Titanic exhibition and clocked up many kms checking out the city centre, dropped in to a pub (or two, or three) and tried to wrap our heads around “The Troubles” period that consumed the city for over three decades.Read more

    Trip start
    May 4, 2026