traveled in 13 countries Read more Koewacht, Nederland
  • Day 5

    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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  • Day 4

    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!!
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  • Day 3

    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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  • Day 2

    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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  • Day 1

    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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  • Day 1

    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!
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  • Day 1

    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!!

  • Day 368

    Memento mori

    January 26, 2021 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌧 1 °C

    Post No.100.
    I was always waiting for a good moment to end our trip and have a good use for number hundred. This might be the moment.
    Today, the 26th of January 2020, we left my village of birth in the south of The Netherlands, Simpelveld.
    We did not go there just to say goodbye yo my family, but we went there for a special reason.
    As many of you know, we went there to say goodbye to my brother Jos, who was terminal ill and fighting for his life. The prognosis were very bad. So our goodbye would probably be a final one.
    Jos was my brother, best friend and back-up for almost all my life. Leaving on our trip was a difficult decision. We went with his blessing.

    How our trip went, you might have read this in our post here or on Facebook.

    On the 26th of 2021, my brother died.
    He had to give in and lost this battle. 64 years old.

    Today, Monday the first of February 2021 we had our final goodbye.
    Shed our tears, holded on to our loved ones for comfort.
    All comes to an end. A life. A journey.
    ..
    Salute!

    I want to end with the words of a friend from Algeria, who posted, unknowing of our loss, the following:

    "on te levant le matin, rappelle-toi combien précieux est le privilège de vivre, de respirer, d'être heureux"*

    Marc-Aurèle

    (*When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege  it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.)
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  • Day 208

    Home stretch

    August 19, 2020 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Today we will cover the last km to a place called home.
    We will travel slow, as we will avoid the motorway. Again.
    This will be the final part of this roadtrip.
    A bit sad about what we might have missed, but verry happy for the time we had.
    We will leave here around 13.00h and hope to arrive home around 17.00.
    Hopefully Renata is waiting for us!
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  • Day 208

    How slow can you go..

    August 19, 2020 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Slow is trending!
    So we join the flow.
    Visited my family and showed Lieske around.
    We drove up to Roermond and visited my oldest brother and his girlfriend.
    Enjoyed a real nice evening with a good meal and even better company.
    We will have a sleep on his couch.
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