[Home] [Norway Index] [Mail me on the road!]
The day started well. After breakfast I set out, hoping to go to Ålesund via the famous Trollstigen road. The road followed the edge of the fjord for some way, and there were many trees and green fields. The scenery can change very quickly in Norway, and suddenly things became rocky and brown again. But the sun was shining and the rock formations were spectacular. I turned onto route 63 which was to become Trollstigen, and already things were getting interesting. At one point I stopped and looked over a precipice and could see the road twisting away below all over the place.
As I approached the small town of Geiranger the landscape started to turn green again. There was another long zigzag down the mountain with fantastic views over the town. I stopped in Geiranger for some lunch and a look around the small tourist town.
It was after leaving Geiranger that things went wrong. I came out of a tunnel and was faced with a marvellous view across a valley, with the road running completely straight down into it and up the other side. I was driving, and happy, the sun was shining and everything seemed right with the world. I drove a bit faster, because there was no traffic. The only thing in sight was a camper van on the side of the road and some people standing about. As I slowed down to pass them one of the people came out into the road. He was wearing a police uniform and he was telling me to stop.
My world turned upside down. Half an hour later I was sitting in the police station in Geiranger and filling in forms. They took away my driving license and said I couldn't have it back until I went back to the UK. I was gutted.
Thankfully I have some very good friends in Oslo who have said they will come out and meet me and drive my car back. I spent the rest of the day in Geiranger and have booked into a hotel. We have now decided that I will continue my trip by bus and train, and meet in Geiranger next weekend.
I feel bad, but I don't want to miss out on my tour around Norway. I should still be able to see many of the places I wanted to see.