Planning!

 The campsite Aires and stopover books are out. 

Agy has had a scrub and repack, which can only mean one thing - Adventure awaits!

This is (we hope) going to be our greatest adventure yet. We first talked about doing this trip about 2 years ago, we started making some plans, but it wasn’t to be. Instead of heading north we headed south, visited friends, saw some amazing locations and battled the heat of central Spain. We had an amazing time and loved every moment.

But not this time. This time we are packing shorts and t-shirts, rain coats, and even woolly hats! Whilst family and friends who work in education were looking forward to their hot summer holidays; I was putting the winter duvet in Agy and checking the heater was on board.

This time we are heading north, as far north as we can drive. Our aim is to drive well into the arctic (I had no idea the arctic circle line was so far below the most northerly land point). To the furthest point north in Norway and as far east as we can in Finland without straying into Russia.

Trips like this take lots of planning, not just the usual holiday planning like clothes, airport parking and sun cream. This one needs permits to drive on motorways, in cities in different countries, all weather mud and snow tyres, an understanding of those pesky Schengen rules, additional insurance, and a route plan like no other.

One of the joys of van life is seeing where the road takes you, but when the road you are thinking of taking is long - very long - and there are world renowned scenic roads enroute together with fascinating places to visit along the way, along with limited time, you do need a plan!

This is our rough route plan, it is rough, very rough, but we’ve highlighted places we want to go via, and for the first few days we know roughly where we want to visit and where we might be able to park up and sleep. 

Initially we’ll be heading through France, Belgium and the Netherlands, and onto Germany before crossing the Baltic sea into Denmark. We are aiming to travel fairly quickly through this bit, as the subsequent legs through Sweden, Norway and Finland will take quite some time with lots of driving and long days. We can always head back to these countries at another time - in fact we will, but we need to head north as soon as we can so we have time to do the long road up and get back down before the weather turns.

But for now, we’re leaving our home in the capable hands of friends and heading to a very special family wedding. Not a bad way to start an adventure of a lifetime.