The Telemark Canal, Norway 2017 🇳🇴

Travelled: 203 kilometres from Oslo to Lunde (Hogga Lock), Norway.

Visited: Kongsberg, the Stavkirke in Heddal (NOK60pp) then The Telemark.

Stayed: Hogga Sluse (lock) Stellplatz NOK200, with the usual service. N59.30202 E09.04292 (OurBumble)

It was quiet in stellplatz overnight although it was raining when we went to bed. Yesterday was a big day, as cities always tend to be. So we do the usual morning service on the Hymer before getting away reasonably early. Pam has been wanting to do some washing (nagging) for a week. Personally I am happy to wear the same shorts and shirt for at least a month, but Pam prefers to change more often, perhaps twice a day. Obviously our laundry needs vary, but we seemed to have reached a point where it needs to be done.

After some googling we found a place, on arrival we find it doesn’t open for another 90 minutes (nothing in Oslo opens until 10am), so we fuel up the Hymer and I do some more googling. Finding another laundromat that opens an hour earlier, its not too far away, so off we go again. Little do I wonder why this place would open earlier, later I would remember that Lucifer never sleeps and actually resides in Oslo managing a laundromat. Lucifer has taken the guise of a little Chinese lady who proves to be a real bitch.

90 minutes later our washing was done, Lucifer had turned her focus on some American and English tourists who walked in with the mistaken belief that you could get you washing done here. As we left she produced a fiddle of gold and said ‘I’ll wash your cloths for free, against your souls, if they were better than me’. We knew it was time to leave.

Norway

We park on the outskirts of Kongsberg and walk across the bridge for a quick supermarket shop. The river here is lovely to watch.

The gardens along the plaza in Kongsberg.

We take a slight detour to the small village of Heddal to visit it’s Church. Pam can be seen checking the weather to ensure she is wearing the correct ensemble.

3676 Notodden, Norway

Dating from the 12th Century, its the largest Stave Kirke in Norway.

This panorama of Kirke and graveyard should open if you click it.

The amazing building is constructed completely of timber and almost 900 years old.

The alterpiece, note the sections of wall without painted patterns were originally covered with tapestry.

The carving around the door frames is intricate, given this is a farm church.

A last look at the Stave Kirke, its many gables and turrets.

Back on the road, we backtrack a short distance before crossing the Heddal and tracking the Telemark Canal south and then west to Lunde. The road is narrow and winding following the waterway, before rising around a ridge or perhaps a tunnel then back to the waterway again, its a slow but visually spectacular drive. I have plenty of time to look around and enjoy the view as the navigator has her eyes fixed on any possible danger. We are in a constant state of dynamic risk assessment.

Norway

6143 Fiskåbygd, Norway

Just past Lunde we find the Hogga Sluse on the Telemark.

The Hogga Sluse is a wonderful piece of 1890 engineering, built with the assistance of a Frenchman. We have done a few locks in our time.

From the dam wall above the lock, with the stellplatz in the distance. Pam and I both thought this is one of the most lovely spots we have ever spent the night.

Anyway we spend the evening chatting to our Norwegian and Dutch neighbours, cooking fish cakes and enjoying a glass of beer and wine, living the dream.

Michael and Pam

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