Member Since: 16 Dec 2010
Location: county durham
Posts: 39
Norway-Northern Lights
Hello All,
We are thinking of doing something a little bit different next Christmas and considering getting the ferry from Newcastle-handy for us as we live in Durham- across to Bergen and then driving north in Norway up to Tromso to see the Northern Lights-wondered if anybody else has made this trip in Dec/January and has any advice or info to share? We are planning to make this in our-yet to be aquired- D3. All input much appreciated?
If only the ferry is no longer on unless you know different Home of RLD Hidden winch mounts Spare wheel Locks Trailer Body Fabrication ray@rld-tech.co.uk D3/4 sump plates MY 14 sump plates and the Discovery Sport wheel protectors Discovery 5 wheel locks
more Helsport tents and other things for camping Law of Mechanical Repair:
"After your hands are coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee!"
5th Jan 2011 8:33 am
lurk
Member Since: 01 Jun 2010
Location: Underneath my D3 usually
Posts: 130
I took a flight into trondiem via schipol, then 4 hours drive north to flathanger (don't quote me on the spelling!), last Jan to photograph sea eagles and golden eagles with the Eagle Man of Norway - had a spectacular night watching the lights and some great images to boot. But it was serious cold, minus 35 most nights and day time upto to minus 20 in the sun. Not great if your sitting in a small hide for 9 hrs.
If you do drive - and I looked at it for the options - you nead a tyre set up with studs when you get there - IMHO. Seeing moose amble along the roads in pitch darkness tends to make you stop and think....
Google maps sugguested 34hrs drive time with a few ferries.... fuel costs then were into £1000. so it just didn't seam justified.
My advise, fly, and enjoy - car rental there is always an option.
If the ferry was back on, I would go next month !
Lurk Why do I have 2 big hands when my D3 maintenance requires small hands and at least three of them ?
5th Jan 2011 8:42 am
PGW97
Member Since: 16 Dec 2010
Location: county durham
Posts: 39
Thanks Guy's,
Looks like my info re the ferry was out of date-real shame as we really fancied that trip-will have to think again! maybe fly/hire car option will work for us-otherwise will have to way of dodging the in-laws next Christmas!
i did here from a friend in Norway it may be back some tome lets hope soHome of RLD Hidden winch mounts Spare wheel Locks Trailer Body Fabrication ray@rld-tech.co.uk D3/4 sump plates MY 14 sump plates and the Discovery Sport wheel protectors Discovery 5 wheel locks
more Helsport tents and other things for camping Law of Mechanical Repair:
"After your hands are coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee!"
5th Jan 2011 6:19 pm
Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
Just remember that seeing the lights is not guaranteed because alot of peeps forget this
5th Jan 2011 7:05 pm
Bernt-Inge
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: Søgne
Posts: 73
I would recommend good winter tires if you are going to drive in Norway. I use Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 SUV studded tires for my D3.
regards
Bernt-Inge
5th Jan 2011 8:06 pm
dick dastardly
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: wiggleigh bottom
Posts: 1112
next christmas you might be able to drive across the north sea on the ice There's one wheel on my wagon, but i'm still rollin' along, it's the cherokee, they're after me, but I'm singing a happy song
5th Jan 2011 10:12 pm
RichardB
Member Since: 03 May 2010
Location: Hants
Posts: 485
The Sun is in a more active phase at present leading up to a maximum in 2013 so there will be a better chance of seeing the aurora in the next few years. A visit sounds like a great idea.
(According to BBC's Stargazing Live programme a couple of nights ago )
5th Jan 2011 10:17 pm
Jamieklb
Member Since: 15 Aug 2010
Location: KLB
Posts: 301
The Northern Lights aren't exclusive to Norway so I'll just stay at home and watch them from my house. 2015 Discovery 4 HSE Corris with Blackpack
1965 100" Coil Spring Hybrid Offender.
6th Jan 2011 10:06 am
cold_n_wet
Member Since: 05 May 2009
Location: Bergen
Posts: 1509
And you dont always need to drive to Tromsø to see them.
You have an option of taking the coastal steamer hurtigrouten from Bergen, this way you can explore the coast and take it easy.
Norwegian (flys from Gatwick) have cheap tickets into Bergen if you book earlier.
I just changed to studded tyres and they cost just under a £1000,- so consider that in your calculations.
Good luck.
GlenIDTOOL PRO / Faultmate programing and BAS remaping services in Norway.
Diagnostic for most Land rover vehicles
Land Rover parts and accessories.
Stockist of RLD equipment.
www.praesto4x4.no
D4 gone, missed but replaced with a 110 Puma.
6th Jan 2011 8:59 pm
Fogga
Member Since: 20 Jul 2009
Location: Tromsoe
Posts: 89
lurk wrote:
Google maps sugguested 34hrs drive time with a few ferries.... fuel costs then were into £1000. so it just didn't seam justified.
When driving from Bergen to Tromsoe, there is only 1 ferry (Bognes-Skarberget) 80km south of Narvik. The trip is about 20-25min and costs £12-13 for car+driver. And + £4 pr passenger.
And if your car runs on 9L/100km your fuel cost is more like £450ish for both ways.
And the fastest route is 24hrs driving.
I usually drive it in 2 days, and stay overnight in Trondheim, which is kinda in the middle. But with more than 1 driver its possible to to it without stopping.
Here are some of my Aurora Borealis pictures from last winter, shot around Tromsoe.
7th Jan 2011 1:02 am
Bushwanderer
Member Since: 27 Nov 2007
Location: Northern Rivers, NSW, Australia
Posts: 2050
Home of RLD Hidden winch mounts Spare wheel Locks Trailer Body Fabrication ray@rld-tech.co.uk D3/4 sump plates MY 14 sump plates and the Discovery Sport wheel protectors Discovery 5 wheel locks
more Helsport tents and other things for camping Law of Mechanical Repair:
"After your hands are coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee!"
7th Jan 2011 9:09 am
GSLRO
Member Since: 10 Sep 2008
Location: Sunderland
Posts: 1279
I just don't earn enough money, perhaps if I sold the kids!
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum