The Caravan Club St Petersburg and the North Grand Tour 2015 Over!

I can't believe it! Can you be jet lagged by car?, I am! I'm now safely back in the caravan  in the back garden!
So we left that dump known as Sweden and hot footed it back to Denmark. Most people  used the bridge but I always like to be a little different and tried the old ferry at Hellsingor.  What a find! Particularly when towing a caravan in windy conditions. About 5 euros cheaper. It runs so frequently, you literally just drive on. The journey takes 20 minutes. Just long enough to hit the Duty Free shop but not long enough to finish my coffee! We drove straight off. An hour later we were back at Camping Holbaek Fjord. A fantastic discovery. Denmark seemed so much more civilised, even though the weather was still freezing.
Our farewell meal was where we started. Drinks were ridiculously expensive so we had a little "get together/warm up" in the TV room beforehand. The group really surprised us and bought us a card and lovely presents as a "thank you! ". They really were a great group, even if they were as mad as hatter's! I shall treasure them. It was very much appreciated.
So we did a quick break away into Germany to head for Friday nights crossing on North Sea.  Err we used the wrong ferry this time! We came out via Rostock. Stick to that! Putt garden, ,,,2 hour wait to catch the bloody thing and then getting around Hamburg makes the M25 look like a super speed highway!
We made it to Breme.  The sun was shining and it was warm! Back to euroland. For the first time ever we struggled trying to use our visa debit card's or maestro, so if you are heading out that way Beware!
Onwards to Rotherham.  That ring road? ! We think we have traffic problems! After such  an intended leisurely day we made it to the terminal with 15 minutes to spare! A close call.
Everything started out fine. We discovered that eating in the civilised restaurant "the brasserie" was actually cheaper than the free for all buffet! So unless you are likely to eat a food mountain forget the push and shove buffet! The food and service was in comparison good but very poor in comparison to the other ferries we had been on.
A leisurely evening and a good night's sleep. That was all we needed. On to the prisoners bed. So hard. So uncomfortable.  The heat. Its just carried on and on. We were on the top of the bed covers. We couldn't sleep  due to the heat. The air con was turned down to its lowest. It must be us.
I awoke early. It was all too much. I went on deck and walked around the ship. The temperature was perfect. I opened our cabin door and it was like walking into an oven! It wasn't us! I went to reception to report it. They sent someone out who confirmed the heating system was broken and our cabin was dangerously hot! Back to reception "I'm sorry!" Hit the roof button as she was just going through the motions. "Sorry?! This ferry is awful. You charge nearly £400 for the crossing and we can't even use our cabin!" Oh no I hit the mad button again.." well this ferry is almost 15 years old you know!" Ooh ooh "It may well be but your prices certainly aren't! "  I'm getting to know the drill now. Please can I have a complaint form?!" Free breakfast? Hey presto! Not that I really wanted one but hey Ho!
So back to our house. The first letter that I opened was from North Sea ferries about my complaint travelling out! £50 to spend on my next trip! As if?! It's not that I want to make a living out of this or get myself banned. I just want a decent ferry service  that I would probably use more often! Hull City of Culture?, Anyone coming in by ferry would not be impressed!
We got home in one piece (just!). Great to see the family and we very timed it right as there's a heatwave! Loving it! My grandkids were really chuffed with their Russian presents. Now its time to start planning the next adventure?! Morocco anyone?!

The lovely evening we had at Breme campsite where we were nearly doing the washing up after we had a meal!

Our home town, slowly waking up

Oh dear. Get the fashion police! Our own Russian Princess! 

The Caravan Club St Petersburg and the north Grand Tour 2015 Sweden beggars belief!

I always thought of Sweden as being a really advanced,sophisticated Country until I went. It's interesting to know where we get these impressions from as the reality is often quite different.  I guess that's the whole point of travelling and seeing for yourself. We had a very pleasant surprise with Finland but Sweden is so very boring and uninteresting.
We visited Gothenburg. The site was more in line with European standards but there simply want enough toilets to cope with all the campers, having to queue in a morning in my dressing gown was not a good look! That said the pitches were lovely for most of us and the kids play area was lovely ( I so wanted to play on it!

We went by luxury coach into the city. Guess what make the coach was?! Another bloody Volvo! These people are programmed to buy them else they are giving them away! Young and old alike all drive Volvo!  I know what response I would have got from my kids when they were teenagers if I suggested that they bought a Volvo!  Anyhow I have to admit that it was lovely. I had previously looked on the Internet to see what there was to do in Gothenburg  and it should have told me something when the reviews are raving about a padded boat trip, a theme park and then football stadiums. Have you ever heard of Gothenburg  Fc?! No nor had I!

We walked around trying to find some old or interesting buildings but there simply weren't any. There was a Volvo museum but that was the last place that I wanted to go so there was only one thing for it. ..shop! There were large shopping malls and lots of shops all closing down or having sales but there fashion and designs are.....different! It was a very inexpensive day. Dave loved it, the only expense was a McDonald's!  I tried to take some pics but there really wasn't a lot worth photographing.  It seemed that on just about every street corner there were beggars.  Even eating our McDonald's a woman came up to us asking for money whilst we were eating! 

In the slap bang centre there were a few benches. We decided to sit down for a while. Within seconds it would seem that every beggar in Sweden approached us. You simply can't escape them. It's as bad as morocco  and third world countries We saw plenty of security men outside shops with guns but all day we never saw a Police Officer. We simply moved and kept on moving as we didn't feel safe.

Our boat trip was booked for 4 pm.  You can guess what happened. The heavens opened. We were handed out bright yellow ponchos as padded are open topped. Actually I am pleased that it rained as we had a real laugh as the boat trip would have been boring. We were right. There still wasn't anything to see, whether from land or sea or canal for that matter

Evenue the trams looked as though they were from Soviet times. They wouldn't have looked amiss in a museum. This is me trying to take a pic that flatters Gothenburg! 

Oh the red and white building is known as "the lipstick" (I can't think why?!) But wait for it. .Some Brit designed it! Probably painted red to liven up a very dull country!

Look at these muppets looking like ducks! Determination or what?!

So yesterday we drove back to Denmark (phew!) Most people had decided to use the bridge but at last minute we decided to catch the ferry from Hellsingborg and what a treat that was. We hadn't booked anything. We literally just drove on. Time enough to visit the duty free, but not even time to drink my coffee! 20 minutes and we were back in civilisation at Denmark! A different world! Lovely. A great campsite, lovely scenery and all together a cleaner,safer and nicer place. Quaint. Shame about the weather but that's been the thing about this Tour but there again...going north really maybe was a bit of a clue  venue in June! Tonight is our farewell meal. It's been great overall. Totally new places and different experiences. I'm pleased I've been!

The Caravan Club St Petersburg and the North Grand Tour 2015 Norway and Sweden

I quite liked Norway though it was very primitive in the camping respect. What really got us was an extra 15 kronor for a 6 minute shower. That's over a pound! Needless to say we didn't use them out of principle. I did use the one in the caravan you will be pleased to know! Oh even the toilet paper..remember the stuff you had at school Italian was it?! It certainly wasn't Andrex! I've also decidea that the Scandinavians are a different breed of human. It was blooming freezing. Yes the sun was out at times but we all kept our coats on. They were running around in bikinis, sunbathing and in the lake,Fjord or whatever it was !

Not even clean!

Pretty from a distance!

We decided to go and see the famous ski jump. Apparantly it's the biggest in the world. Dave scored with one of the locals

There again maybe I wasn't looking so hot!

The locals were friendly though!

Views of Oslo from the ski slope.

Some random Fjord.  Now my understanding of a Fjord is a water inlet from the sea. As there was so much similarity between this and my homeland should the River Humber now be called the Humber Fjord?! Somehow I thought not!

The Caravan Club St Petersburg and the North Grand Tour 2015 Norway

Well Im pushing my luck this morning by hoping that I can blog Its all thanks to my wifi booster that for the past year or so has been worth its weight in gold. I cant believe how backward these Scandanavian Countres are in many respects.As for camping they definately have the worst campsites. In fairness its probably because their season is so short, about two months that its not worth spending money on their infrustructure. Hardstanding? Whats that? Paying for showers? Now that one really gets me. Its just over one pound for 6 minutes They say its that it makes us more enviromentally friendly! What a load of tosh! I fill our barrels up with water, heat it using their electricity and thats more eco friendly?! Soryy but I dont go dirty for anyone! Oh and generally there is one toilet block that is miles away from where you are camping which is hope;ess in the rain, and they seem to get plenty of it. Maybe its tha other alternative here of a free shower!
Sowe left Orebro in Sweden and travelled to Norway. The roads at best were slow You were fortunate if the motorway was a dual carriageway. Quite often it was single carriageway. There isnt a lot of traffic on them but then they allow these massive lorries pulling massive trailers, making them double length jugganaughts and people complain of caravans in the UK! Hey all that said at least we all got here safely Well it took us 5 hours to do 211 miles. One of our particiapants it took 12 hours! Yes they did get lost on a memtous scale It just showws the value of sat navs. How the hell they got this far without one is beyond me.I cerainly couldnt hae got out of Yorkshire!
Well Norway. Much, much prettier and nicer than Sweden. When you travel along the roads in Sweden there are no crops in the fields, no livestock, no hills...just trees and they are all the same type and bloody Volvos! Immediately you cross over the border the difference is apparant. It seems cleaner. Hills start to appear. Lovely houses. Chocolate box stuff The difference is almost immediately apparent and that was in the pouring rain! We are definately back in the 21st century Electronic toll booths. We dont quite know how we pay though! We have been told that a bill will land at our UK address> Well I wont lose sleep over that! Our car number was taken by cameras at various points along the way but there was no card machine or man to pay! Hey ho.
We had to skirt around Oslo and the traffic was busy. We made it to the campsite which to say the least is basic and definately not up to european standards. One toilet block and its a good 300 metres away over a field! Great when the grass is long and uneven in the rain..oh how I wish I had brought my wellies!
One very good thing is the public transport system. We had been provided with a 72hour Oslo pass. The bus stops right outside the campsite and within 20 minutes you are in the centre of Oslo. We did it yesterday. As we got off the bus we saw a boat about to leave. I wasnt sure where it went to but like idiots we ran to catch it as I was sure that I had read somewhere that all public transport including boats was free. We made it in time and then had to ask "where are we going to?!" Great fun and good laughs at our expense as the other travellers were so boring and organised and had worked out just what they wanted to see. To us anything was going to be a suprise! It was really pleasant. We went arpund the holocaust museum but it was manily in blooming norwegian so we only understood bits. They had an equivalent to Anne Franks but dont ask me what her name was now-/Ive slept! We had a nice walk around and we caught the very efficient boat back to the centre of Oslo in between persistent showers. A lovely place to visit but definately geared up for the tourist but a distinct lack of Japanese tourists-maybe it was too cold for them or maybe there werent any selfie sticks for sale!

I really enjoyed Oslo. So much so I forgot to take pics! The sun is shining today. Many have gone back in to Oslo again. I think we are going to have a leisurely day and plan for tomorrow, back into...grrrrr blooming Sweden! Why oh why is that Country stuck in the middle of where I want to be?! Maybe I will change my mind but it will really have to go some! 

The Caravan Club St Petersburg and the North Grand Tour 2015 Goodbye Sweden!

I decided to try and like Sweden yesterday but it can't help itself. It's a Country I just don't "get!" The local city of Orebro was apparantly worth a visit and there was aN outdoor art exhibition on. Parking in the City was reliably easy. We wrapped up well (yes it is June! ) and off we went..

Yes your eyes aren't deceiving you-the town hall is decorated with ladies tights!

Hmm I always wondered what SOC O did with their old forensic suits!

I'm no art expert but this did absolutely nothing for me but this did..

I couldn't afford to buy them but at least they are a bit more useful!

So that was the art exhibition. Back to the caravan,. Let's make a meal. .....electricity? No! Is this really Sweden in the 21st century? Apparantly the entire City was out. After about half an hour it came back on again. I try hard not to compare it but Finland and Helsinki were so on the ball. It even had free wi fi fir everyone in the city!We were awoken at 5.30 by the rush hour of goods trains. I think I know their timetable better than they do now!  Hey Ho. 

So today it's off to Norway. Can it be as bad as Sweden?! No! The only trouble is that we have about 240 miles to do and at best the motorways are only dual carriageways. It could be a very long day! Oslo sounds exciting but there again so did Sweden! Open mind and all that. Pray for a miracle please. We are travelling north west and I can't do much more cold.....perhaps I should go to the town hall and ask if I could borrow some tights?!

The Caravan Club St Petersburg and the North Grand Tour. Sweden

We arrived safely from the gorgeous City of Helsinki on the beautiful ferry the" Serene" What a treat that is. The food,the shops, the comfort. Amazing. I think I can safely say the best ferry that I have ever been on. The only downside to it is that it brought us back again to..Sweden! Not only was it raining but the roads are poor and the whole place just seems dull and boring-no wonder they tried to make an ABBA museum-well you can't make a museum on trees and bloody Volvo can you?!
So we arrived on a campsite,supposedly one of the best in Sweden. Yes we overlook a lake and are in walking distance ( providing you have long legs!) of Orebro.  Our initial thoughts were that it was quite pretty.Lovely toilet blocks and free showers but then.....We are next to a busy road and a train track with goods wagons going by 24/7! It hasn't got dark during the night ime since Denmark, what we would give for a nights sleep! We are all freezing. I have taken to wearing two coats. The temperature may say 19 but it's the constant cold wind. It was funny particularly in Russia when they accused us of bringing the sun and they thought they were having a heatwave. We were again wearing 2 coats! They are a different breed of human! Even here my central heating in the caravan is on full blast,venturing out only to go for essentials and the Swedes are in tents and pic nicking out on the barbecue areas! Are they mad?! It's not just me accustomed to Spain. We have all been buying winter clothes.
Last night I decided to check that this was one of the best sites in Sweden by reading the "caravan europe" handbook. We had tears rolling down our faces and judging by what members had written we should be grateful that we are here! One member had written about a campsite that there were lots of itinerant,  not enough water points and that it gets very muddy and units get stuck but it's ok because the campsite has a tractor! Is this really a civilised country? Is this really part of Europe?  I am beginning to think that this Countries campsites are having a competition with Romania-but at least theirs were cheap!
So tomorrow  on to something else new. Norway.I am looking forward to it but dreading the prices. We have all started drinking heavily as Norway is not part of EU and we can only take very limited amounts of alcohol in with us. I have been warned that after today I will be turning tee total when I see the prices. Oslo. I have no idea what I'm going to see there but it's somewhere different. After that it's back into Sweden (I can't wait!) and then the finishing post at Denmark where we started. That will be the end of the Tour for us but we still have to drive across Germany and Holland and then P and O north sea ferries,  another yuk! But then Hull (is that another yuk?!) At least it will make Hull feel warm and there's family there. So far it's been a great experience with some great people.I do genuinely love travelling and exploring. Some of it has been a real eye opener or do the educated say "broadening my horizons? ! Not sure but it's certainly been fun!

Do I need to put titles? The top 2 are of Helsinki

Camping in a field Sweden!

P. S I don't think I will get a job with the Swedish Tourist Office anytime soon!

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/overseas-holidays/european-tours/st-petersburg-and-the-north-grand-tour

The Caravan Club St Petersburg and the North Grand Tour 2015 The other side of Russia

I haven't blogged on the go as there really was a strange and uneasy feeling around our visit. The haves and the have not.  One incident really upset me and the boys faces will stay with me forever. I will start at the beginning. We were on a luxury high speed train from Helsinki into St Petersburg. Really flash, travelling at 200 kmph. You know you are entering Russia when the scenery changes drastically from open fields and villages to

and I didn't manage to snap the security Towers! This was also at the time of our Russian Visa checks. Certainly no sign or smile saying "welcome to Russia!"

One day we visited the famous fortress and saw the opulence of where the Czars were buried. It was vulgar in the extreme,yet beautiful. 

These were truly creating an impression for the Tourist. The truth of the matter is that reality is totally different. Having been at a 4 star hotel that ran out of food,milk and beer you do begin to wonder.

One afternoon we decided to treat ourselves to a boat trip. The waterways had been designed by Peter the Great to copy Venice. It was more like Amsterdam meets the River Humber! Did anyone tell Peter the Great that it's bloody cold in Russia and another fact that he's not on the Med and doesnt lovely clear water?! Hey Ho off we go. Duck! There's a bridge coming! Health and safety "what's that?!

Please don't let there be a tidal wave!

Anyhow, whilst managing to hang on to our heads we were suddenly aware that at each bridge we went under there were the same 2 lovely boys waving to us

Some bridges were as much as a mile apart and still they appeared enthusiastically waving at us. On occasions  we watched them running along the embankment to catch up or beat our boat. This amused us all greatly ( sad and easily pleased I know!). It wasn't until I started speaking to a local lady about this that she said "It's sad. They don't stand a chance. They are orphans, probably. The state looks after them until they are 14. They are supposed to give them and apartment but they never get one  they are left to fend for themselves. Orphans here don't stand a chance"  Omg those lovely boys. The lady had no ulterior reason to tell me this that I can think of or was apparant.

We got off the boat and I could see the boys some distance away. They weren't begging or causing a nuisance. I shouted to them and asked them if they were the boys from the bridges and they confirmed that they were They were so young and smiling...I know a big softie.... I got the equivalent of 10 pounds from my pocket and handed it to the smaller boy as I said " thank you" . He hugged me and kept saying "thank you". I don't normally give to beggars and the like but honestly the more I have thought about it,  the more I wish that I had given them 100 pounds! What entrepreneurs. They aren't being a nuisance. They are providing entertainment and keeping themselves fit. They could be pick pocketing or stealing but no...I admire these boys. I wonder what will happen to them in life. They deserve to do well. I can't help but think that this was just a little glimpse of the real Russia. If ever you go there please donate to my lovely "bridge boys!"

Oh yes just selling one of these paintings would feed them and the rest of the orphans for the rest of their lives instead of being on display for the over wealthy tourists. What a sick world we live in.

Well you will be pleased to know that I'm off my soapbox now. Most people have gone into Helsinki but we have had a chill out day or rather mucking out day. We get the super ferry back to Stockholm that is overnight. I'm actually looking forward to it, it's so lovely. We then drive just over 100 miles to the next site in the middle of Sweden. I wonder if my impression of the Country improves any?! After that it's Norway, Back into Sweden and then Denmark and a mad dash alone back to the UK as the Tour finishes in Denmark. I can't wait to bask in the British sunshine it's so BrRrer here!

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/overseas-holidays/european-tours/st-petersburg-and-the-north-grand-tour