We have been spending all the time since we arrived in Sweden at the same place here in the boonies. We've been having wonderful weather and super nice walks in the woods, and the very best part is freedom from any lead 

   

When we walked by this door I wanted to visit because it's very clear to me that the sign on the door meant an invitation for me. Mom said it's an empty old house no one lives there anymore. There are a lot of empty old timber homes around here..................not sure why?

Anyway, Mom liked the door a lot but I told her it's no way we'll get that on the plane going back home, so she left it there

 

Yesterday I was left watching Lucy while Mom with friends went out to eat and I wish I was there. It all looked yummy and the size of that plate with filet mignon was the same size as Mom's Turkey serving plate.

Mom was longing for a Swedish pizza and she said it was great.

   

the third dish was served on a piece of oak wood................

 

The water in the river is much higher than usual and it's all because of the snow melting from the mountains. Water is icy cold so no swimming yet

 

Today Mom has been sitting in the sun doodling pictures from where we are now.

   

I love this place and have many balls to chase as long as someone are willing to throw them for me

 

Tomorrow we're leaving for a not-so-long ride south to visit more people. I'm not sure who yet but Mom claims I met them before and that the lady of the house loves my kisses.................good to know

Wet kisses 

Henry

Good morning all, we have now moved into Lucy even if nights still are very cold. I stay under the cover to keep Mom warm and it's so cozy. 

Lucy had to go back to inspect that rear-end brake drum something, and now she's feeling good again. 

   

Unfortunately, she still has some issues with indoor light fixtures that don't work which is most likely a fuse somewhere.

We have to wait until we find a fixer-upper man who knows about this kind of stuff. I suggested we go to that man who fixed our door last year because I remember Mom being impressed by his knowledge.

We're still staying at the same place in the country where I'm free to roam and I have now made it my property and alert Mom as soon as anybody comes close ....................I was stopped from barking at these big guys though.

 

This is a guy I remembered from last year, he always has cookies in his pocket when he stops by. My kind of people for sure.

 

This time he left a few on the table for later he said ...................I say give it to me now

 

We're still having lazy days in the sun, I run around until I get sleepy and then I take a short nap with Mom hoping she'll get up and throw my ball again. 

I did get a taste of the ostrich and yes it was yummy, but so is everything else they're cooking and as long as I sit close to my friend I know I will get a taste.

 

I'm not getting any more cheese though, They claim it gives me smelly gas? I don't know what that's all about,I haven't noticed    

Today will be another sunny lazy day I hope 

I don't know when Mom plans to get on the road driving south, but I know it'll happen eventually 

until than I will enjoy every minute of this freedom

 

Wet kisses to ya'll

Henry

Yesterday was a great day for me because we arrived at my favorite place in Sweden. (Mom likes it too) It's a place where I'm allowed to roam around free without a collar or lead. I found my ball at the same exact place I left it last year, and I made Mom throw it until she had no more strength left. 

The nights are still freezing in the 30ies but I think that's fine and Mom loves the coziness of a fire in the stove.

 

The days are sunny and in order with the Swedish tradition, we placed the chairs against a wall away from the wind to take in every ray of sunshine.

 

The ladies were drinking wine and I got thirsty chasing the ball so I demanded a sip too

    

 

While still in town we went to a ostrich farm to buy meat for the BBQ.........I wasn't allowed near these birds. Their feet were almost as big as me and they didn't look all that friendly anyway.

Their meat is supposedly delicious and hopefully, I'll get a chance to taste it this time. Last year I only got a whiff of it.

     

After Mom, this is my favorite person in Sweden. Elvy is the nicest lady and she doesn't mind my wet kisses like my Mom does. She also shares all the goodies she has so I'm going to make sure I sit next to her when they'll be eating the Ostrich

 

Mom says her cooking is so good she wants it all to herself...................I think that's very selfish

 

In the evening they sit around playing poker while I'm napping. Mom had no Swedish money but managed to play anyway because at first she won some, but an hour later she had given it all back 

 

At the supermarket, they had horsemeat so Mom bought some since she had forgotten how it tastes but remembered she used to like it a lot. It's served as a Coldcut and tastes a little bit like a cross between prosciutto and corned beef.

I found it very salty and Mom said we're not getting it again.......................poor horse

 

It is only the beginning of spring so trees are still without leaves and there's snow in many places where the sun hasn't reached. The first spring flowers are showing off and before we know it everything will be green and gorgeous.

 

Monday Lucy will be ready to pick up and she'll have new breaks........................... then will go ???? somewhere

wet kisses

Henry

Hello everyone, finally Mom is starting to come alive after this long flight and a 6-hour time difference. As usual, I behaved exemplary and Mom is quite proud of me. My best cookie delivery guy gave us a ride to the airport at 8AM on Monday.

 

After a lot of discussions with the ticket agent about me, we finally got through security and are now waiting to board the plane.

 

We flew 3hours to the Kennedy Airport in New York, and I could tell Mom had a special feeling about this place since she sounded so excited looking out the window right before we landed.

That's the beach where I used to visit a lot when I lived here she said, and I hope I'll get to see it too one day. 

   

So we landed and we had a 3.5-hour layover before the next plane to Stockholm. Luckily our gate was very close so we had plenty of time to eat and look around.

 

Mom ordered some green stuff and a chicken cutlet for me, well, maybe it wasn't for me, but Mom didn't like it so I ate most of it.

 

Mom felt like having a glass of wine but regretted it later when she had to pay for it.       knowing she could have bought 2 bottles for that price at a different store............

I'm used to barstools and when I saw this one I was hoping I could order a beer but there was none here.

    

The flight to Stockholm took 8 hours and I slept all the way without making any noise. Again Mom is very proud of me.

Finally, at Arlanda airport, we had to wait for another 3 hours to catch the train to our friends and final destination.

I had to show my passport to customs and they welcomed me to Sweden.

Finally, we arrived at our friends at noon on Tuesday, and it was freezing at only 36F but it didn't bother me much.

Mom who doesn't have my fabulous coat was freezing.

We were both exhausted so we took a nap on the couch.

 

When we woke Mom's friend had baked cinnamon buns which she knew was her favorite. I have heard so much about them but Mom never shared any so this time I took a chance and helped myself in a way I later learned was a complete no no

 

Dinner was meatballs and spaghetti and I made sure to sit next to Elvy because I know how much she loves me and she'll share with me. They were YUMMY

   

We haven't seen Lucy yet because we got the news at the inspection that she needs new brake pads on her rear? whatever that means.

Mom said we will move into her on Monday. 

Friday we will be back to my favorite place in the entire world. It's a place where I left all my balls and I get to run free all day.

Mom is still tired but I know she'll soon be back to her normal self

Many wet kisses to you all

Henry

Just like I predicted yesterday, we're in Sweden now, and only a couple of hours away from our final destination for this year. Mom said she couldn't pass up on this gorgeous spot, but I think the truth is she's trying to stretch out the trip a little.

  

 

I don't mind stopping here, it's soothing to listen to the stream outside the window and this clip is taken at 7.30pm and the sun is making its descent down the horizon

 

We stayed two nights at the last place in Norway and this was our view from Lucy

I really liked it there because I was free, there were so many paths to walk and explore

and I made a friend willing to play with me

 

  

Driving towards Sweden the landscape changes, there are still mountains but not as steep and dramatic looking as in Norway.

Behind these mountains is Sweden Mom tells me.

Oh ok, roads are narrow and bumpy and that's when I leave my copilot seat and go lay down on a cushy blanket under the table. Much safer in my pinion

 

What a great-looking gas station we thought. we don't need gas but let's stop anyway to see if we can get something to eat .........Mom went in and came out with nothing. burgers hot dogs nooooooooope  I voted yes but I have no say

 

I have seen hundreds and hundreds of moose warning signs but not one live moose, we .haven't seen any wildlife at all which is very disappointing 

   

It's up the mountain, down the mountain, up the mountain and most of the time Mom doesn't have the guts to look down while driving so we stop often.

 

Here's a handyman special great location but a hazardous road to get there

 

At the bottom of the valley, we came to a town called Tolga. I needed to take a leak and Mom found something she thought interesting.

The 1.05-square-kilometer (260-acre) village has a population (2021) of 583 and a population density of 558 inhabitants per square kilometer (1,450/sq mi)

 

 

A beautiful stream with a very different-looking bridge for Norway we thought  

 

And what a nice story behind it

 

And the story continues ...........

The sculpture of the horse and sled represents the memory of the golden age of the melting copper industry the period 1640-1950. The 6m – long, 2m – high sculpture was carved in black granite by the skilled carvers of the Danang Sculpture Foundation in Vietnam. Again, the Norwegian people can witness and admire the talent of the sculpturing of Vietnamese carvers.

and an interesting story came with the statue

   

This tiny town had so many interesting buildings and was completely deserted, we didn't see one living thing except the tourist picnicking next to the horse.
You would think just one of the 558 people should be out and about?

   

Anyway, it is a sweet little town so I bet the people will be as sweet

The next stop at the border was this monument.

 

And it read "In memory of when King Hakon, Prinz Olav, and part of the government hid from the nazis at the toll masters and his wife's home. The picture shows the toll master's wife Aminda holding out the apron behind King Hakon.

12 April 1940

Sweden

sign underneath says there are snowmobile restrictions and to read up on the laws

 

There used to be only a rock to mark the border and If that is the toll master house I would like the job  ..........Temporarly

 

Oh hello there!!! That must be the head boss in reindeer land, look at his antlers, hurry up into the woods before you get hit...

  

 

  Stopping at a supermarket we met these two girls selling Ukrainian cookies so, of course, we thought it was for a cause, but got no answer to that. so we bought no cookies they didn't look good said Mom, sure wish I could be the judge........$7 for 2 cookies to a dog that eats bird poop?   nope,  but the girls were pretty 

Tomorrow we will be at the place where we picked up Lucy and started our trip. Now it's time to put Lucy away for her winter rest in this huge place with other RVs and boats. We will be back and hopefully, it is not going to take three years this time.

Here's a map of  places we have visited on this trip  

 

I'm so happy you wanted to share my trip with me 

and so is Mom 

Henry

  

Our trip is coming to an end, later today I think we may be back in Sweden and soon Mom will be working on getting Lucy ready for a winter rest. After some initial issues (due to being locked up for three years) Lucy has been good to us, taking us on a great adventure and keeping us dry through some rainstorms. She's now keeping us warm and cozy since it has cooled down considerably now. Sure wish she could have kept us cool in the horrific heat we encountered in France which made us turn around skipping the plan about visiting Barcelona. (still bugging Mom)

Norway always delivers when it comes to the beauty of nature, and when we woke up at the bridge Mom decided to drive back to get better pictures since the sun was now shining.

 

  

Under the bridge is where these loudmouths live 

   

 

we were watching these guys fishing and wow did they catch a lot of fish. Mom said it's most likely a school of mackerel 

under the boat.

 

We made a quick stop in Kristiansund The 87-square-kilometer (34 sq mi) municipality  and the 51st most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 24,179.

 

Archeological evidence exists of settlement in the area which is now Kristiansund from as early as 8000 BC when at the end of the last ice age some areas on the western coast of Norway were ice-free. Finds have also been discovered from the bronze age and early iron age.

 

Klippfiskkjerringa is a tribute to the many women who worked at the klipfish cliffs in the city. For 300 years, klipfish was the most important industry in Kristiansund, until the 1950s

. Clipfish is salted cod (and some other species) originally sun-dried on the smooth rocks

 

"stolen" from the web shows how woman spread the cod on the cliffs

 

Not much else besides the harbor was of interest here except maybe this store that sold traditionally costumes. Just like in Sweden, every county has its own variety of dress.

 

This pillar with a mine on top has the names of the men from this town that died in wars

 

Driving along we came to this floating bridge. ...............floating ???

this bridge is built in 1992 and is 933 meters (3054feet)

Floating bridge/pontoon bridge construction has a long history in military and civilian applications on every continent except  Antarctica. According to the engineers who designed this bridge, it was designed using recent American technology for floating bridges, combined with Norwegian technology for offshore platforms. The bridge designers researched other bridges in the world and traveled to the state of Washington in the USA to visit the Homer M Hadley Memorial Bridge and the Hood Canal Bridge —two floating bridges. The continuous floating concrete structure used in the Washington bridges was ultimately ruled out in favor of the discrete floating concrete pier design. This design afforded: 1) an elevated roadway that reduced traffic hazards in storms, 2) a reduction in corrosion of the bridge deck, and 3) improved passage of water beneath the bridge thereby supporting native species.

 

There was a beautiful rest stop at one end of the bridge, a place we could have stayed overnight, but Mom said we needed to drive a little further.

   

 

Bridges and tunnels and bridges and tunnels, the longest tunnel yesterday was the 5,727-metre long tunnel that runs beneath the Bremsnesfjorden, reaching a depth of 250 meters, making it one of the deepest undersea tunnels in the world. Construction began in 2006, and the tunnel opened on 19 December 2009, later than initially estimated. The breakthrough was in March 2009. Problems with water leaks caused delays and cost overruns.

WATER LEAKS ??? ....................yikes... made Mom check the walls of the tunnel as her heart was beating faster than normal.

   

Norway is a gorgeous country with amazing nature so we'll be back for sure.

Time to pack up and continue on to Sweden which is also gorgeous, but in a different way.

Wet kisses to ya,all 

Henry 

 

 

 

The beauty of Norway keeps delivering as we awakened to this gorgeous view 

 

It seems like every day it'll rain for a few hours, then sunshine, heavy wind, and rain again. 

Sunday we needed propane and Mom forgot that everything except gas stations is closed in Norway, but it's no problem because a lot of things in Scandinavia are self-serve and we found this automat.

Pop in the empty can pay with a card and get a new full canister out. Very convenient

 

Before we left our spot we took a walk along the shore it was getting windy and dark, but Mom decided to keep driving north

 

 

More tunnels the longest today was 3 km (almost 2 miles)and more ferries.

Ferries here are part of the roads and you have to pay tolls 

 

the ferry is opening its jaws to let us drive off

 

The goal for today was the Atlantic Ocean Road  (Norwegian: Atlanterhavsvegen ) is an 8.3-kilometer (5.2 mi) long section 

     

Although the plans were officially shelved, locals continued to work with the idea of a road connecting Averøy with the mainland. The toll company Atlanterhavsveien AS was established in 1970. In the early 1980s, it was proposed that job creation funds could be allocated to road projects. The proposal was approved in 1983 after it had been supported by the municipalities of Averøy, Eide, and Fræna. Construction started as a municipal road project on 1 August 1983 but progressed slowly. From 1 July 1986, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration took over the project, speeding up construction and allowing it to open on 7 July 1989 During construction, the area was hit by 12 hurricanes. The opening of the road allowed the Tøvik–Ørjavik Ferry to be terminated.

This picture Mom "stole" from the web. 

It shows from above how the bridges are built over several small islands

 

we parked and stayed the night somewhere in the middle and enjoyed a gorgeous sunset around 9.15 pm

     

Construction cost NOK 122 million and was financed 25 percent by debt to be recollected through tolls, 25 percent by job creation funds, and 50 percent by ordinary state road grants. There was significant local opposition against toll financing, as few people believed it would be possible to pay off the road in the stipulated 15 years. However, by June 1999 the road was paid off and tolls removed. The accelerated amortization was caused both by greater than predicted local traffic and by large amounts of tourist traffic.

Waking up to a gorgeous sunny day, Mom is actually contemplating staying another night here but I'm objecting, there are no open spaces for me to run here and it's too close to traffic, and this a$$ have been screeching for hours

 

Mom is looking at the map to see where else we should stop before we go back to Sweden to tuck Lucy in for the winter.

As gorgeous as Norway is the thought of being here in the winter makes Mom shudder and looking at the chains truckers have to put on their tires I tend to agree.

 

Mom says she wants to look for a spot where she can go fishing................................hahahaha

I remember how that went last time she tried.........................but she bought new stuff that should work really good for mackerel ...........yes, and what will happen if you catch any I said??

besides, there's one already smoked in the fridge......................(I know everything she puts in there)

 

well see Mom said and off we go
 

We're having a great time despite it's getting a little cold now like this morning it was 42F and that's ok as long as you're under the covers, but getting out of bed is brutal says, Mom.

Good thing we got new propane so we turned the heater on for a little while.

I don't know what is next but I'll  keep you updated 

 

Wet kisses to YaAll

Henry

.

Good morning, It's Sunday morning and we just woke up at a marina surrounded by mountains and looking over a fjord.

We went for an evening walk to catch the gorgeous sunset 9.20 pm

     

We are now hooked up to power so I can tell you about Bergen an interesting fact is  It rained every day from 29 October 2006 to 21 January 2007: 85 consecutive days, so I guess we were very lucky to spend a little time with the sunshine there.

Whenever you see pictures from Bergen it is The Bryggen area - one of Bergen's main attractions - consists of a series of commercial buildings that line the eastern side of the fjord in Bergen. Its architecture is unique and since 1979, it has been listed by UNESCO as one of the world's most significant examples of the history and culture of a medieval settlement. The administrative buildings of Bryggen housed clerks from many areas, especially Germany. The warehouses were filled with goods, particularly fish from Northern Norway, and cereal from Europe.

  

We walked along the harbor and Mom was itching to ask how this boat got its name, but the captain seemed busy so we still can only guess. Mom thinks it must have been a very bloodthirsty viking.

 

Some boats are very colorful and this ship has the colors of the hockey team in Moms hometown

made her smile

 

Graffiti can also be very colorful and artistic

 

At the dock there was a market, and what did they sell? fish ofcourse 

Bergen has been a centrum for trading in fish since its foundation in 1070. Today all major seafood companies have headquarters here.

In 2018, Norway’s aquaculture industry reached an all-time high, as seafood export reached 99 billion NOK. This was equal to a total of 37 million seafood meals for the world’s growing population.

Monster crabs and monster claws 

       

This dried stuff is not very tasty according to Mom

 

Moose and reindeer meat is also on the market, and I would have loved a taste of that, but Mom didn't buy any.

She says we cook our own food in Lucy because Norway is very expensive.

 

During its history, Bergen has experienced many fires and around a quarter of the buildings now date back to the time after 1702, when the older wharf-side warehouses and administrative buildings burned down. The rest predominantly consists of younger buildings, although there are some stone cellars that date back to the 15th century.

Notice the facade of one building under reconstruction? The tarp covering was painted to look like the others.

Guess they don't want to spoil the tourists pictures 

     

The tourist brochure says

"Bryggen is a fascinating honeycomb of workshops – where painters, weavers, and craftsmen produce fine-quality, original items".....................We only saw lots of the usual souvenir shops with trolls that have become super expensive to fleece the tourists of course.   Bryggen also has a wide selection of places to eat and museums telling the story of Bryggen and Bergen. ( all with no dogs allowed signs)

   

This looks like a mine we thought, no sign telling about it so we guessed it's a war thing

Even the manhole covers were artfully decorated 

 

 

After a few hours, we had enough of this and continued north still following the coastline where it was possible.

We went through many tunnels again and now Mom found out many aren't free and there are cameras that take pictures of Lucy's plates so I suppose Mom will get a nice bill after all this 

The landscape is getting more beautiful with every mile so we make many stops. We again spent the night surrounded by mountains and a brook bubbling next to us.

Mom wanted to bring this boulder home, she said it'll make a gorgeous table..............hahaha 

   

The water coming off the mountains are crystal clear but do not drink it

Fjord water is brackish, salt water from the ocean mixes with the water melting from glaciers.

The light blue colors in the fjords come from glacier water and have nothing to do with algae. The water in the glaciers has a high mineral content, and you can sometimes see the sediment particles with your own eyes if you fill a water bottle with it.

All this sediment gives the water a light blue color, and sometimes the glacier water can color a big part of the fjord to be light blue. This is not actually the case, because, in reality, only the top layer is glacial water, but it looks light blue nonetheless.

     

The Norweigan roads are good but extremely narrow in places and unfortunately, Lucy got to feel it. Coming around a curve we met a small car that did not want to yield and we were on the outside so Mom directed Lucy a tad too far to the right so she got scratched a little on the barrier. (good thing there WAS a barrier there)

It's ok, no human or dog got hurt

 

Another obstacle on the roads is sheep. Mom said she has never seen sheep "galloping" but this bus driver showed no mercy just pushing them ahead.

   

A third obstacle is cows on the road and this boy loved the scratching pole a lot.

 

 We thought this was super cool and had no problem waiting until they walked off the road on their own, but cars behind us weren't amused at all and started to blow their horns................how rude 

 

This area has many waterfalls and the biggest is Huldefossen which is situated in a beautiful sight set in an unspoiled cultural landscape. Now I got an opportunity to run loose for a while.................yippeeee

   

The path to get there was gorgeous and many gates to keep the cows in but I suppose they were not awake yet, or I'm pretty sure I would have been on a lead

 

 

     

We walked right up to the fall but since I hate to get wet I stayed back.

Mom didn't think this bridge was safe because there was a sign "Not safe to cross for horses"  hahaha 

I told her she's not as heavy as a horse...............yet ................there goes the treat 

   

Continuing on we had to get on several ferries 

     

 

The yellow houses here in Norway are as common as the red houses in Sweden

 

 

This little one had a for sale sign but the location wasn't great since there was crossroads for main roads

 

 

 

We like the colorful houses a lot this is a storage house for grain

For some strange reason, Mom has been sleeping later than usual this past few mornings. At 5am (the usual waking hour) it was heavy rain, so Mom rolled over and said

"we're not driving over the mountain until the rain stops"

and it's now 9am and it has stopped and there's a ray of sunshine, sure hope it lasts.

         

The supermarket sells shrimp by kilo, and these shrimps have a lot more flavor than the kind we're used to.

These are boiled on the boat coming back to shore

really????

   

This boat is in the harbor where we're staying now.

 

We have to get more propane for Lucy and soon the store will open and after that's taken care of we'll continue on north to the next gorgeous sight.

All is well 

Henry