Possibly the best campsite in the world? Melkevoll Bretun
Zagan the motorhome is smelling wonderful. It has taken four loads with the industrial washer and dryers here at Melkevoll Bretun Camping in Oldedalen (N61.66384, E6.81679) to clean everything we own. It’s not surprising as it’s been a fair while since we were at our last Norwegian campsite in the Lofoten Islands.
Zagan the washing line
Over the past couple of days the weather has been a bit dull, so today we’ve made use of the campsite kitchen, baking biscuits and bread, so the smell of clean laundry in Zagan is mingled with these heavenly scents – we need to work on an air freshener to match it, we’d make a fortune.
Not bad for a beginner – if anyone knows how to keep the seeds on the top, please let me in on the secret
We’ve had a few days of chilling out here at the campsite. During that time we’ve managed a couple of sauna’s and a couple of BBQ tea’s in the cool indoor/outdoor BBQ hut with an open fire in the middle. On a clear night we walked up to the viewpoint above the campsite and sat out hoping to see the northern lights. Surrounded by mountains and glaciers it wasn’t going to happen, but we weren’t disappointed as the clear sky gave us a wonderful view of billions of stars, the milky way and several satellites.
Jay gets the BBQ going
Almost the Northern Lights….
It hasn’t all been relaxing and doing nothing. Jay has fixed Zagan’s engine cover by recreating the holes for the bolts in fibreglass. We’ve booked our return ferry to the UK, and the chunnel back out again – we’ve never been on the chunnel so it will be something to look forward to.
My husband the van-repairing genius. Essential items for repair – fibreglass kit, yoghurt put and wooden skewer.
We’ve done some exercise too, walking a few kilometres up to the glacier. Once there we sat leaning against a rock watching the sun move across the valley. Around us coachloads of people were driven up to the glacier in buggies for their viewing time slot. I know which method of travel I prefer right now. This morning we continued our Marakech Half-Marathon training with an 8km run, and after this evening’s sauna we are both so relaxed we could fall asleep at any minute. But not before we’ve BBQed up some of the fish Jay had caught on our way here.
Charlie hates bridges and fast flowing water…
Charlie also probably hates me now for carrying him over many bridges!
Walking up the glacier you passed markers showing how much it has receded over the centuries
Glacial striations in the rock caused by the retreating glacier
If you think UK potholes are big, these ones were created by the stones being thrashed around by the ice melt from the glacier – they are big enough to live in!
Troll buggies for those who don’t want to do the 45 minute walk
If Carling did dog walks….
Obligatory team photo with glacier
Every group of photos needs a random one of a goat eating tree bark!
The scenery makes the morning jog a little easier – that’s what I keep telling myself
If you are ever up this way, I’d thoroughly recommend at least a night or two here. Even out of season with the weather on the turn, it’s a wonderful place. I can see now why so many people recommended it to us, and why the guide books wax lyrical about it too.
Melkevoll Bretun Camping in the most amazing setting
It’s time to get the maps out again and plan our route south as tomorrow we’re back on the road. We’ve booked our ferry back to the UK from the Hook of Holland on Halloween, now we just need a plan to get us there. There’s loads more to see here in Norway, we want to see some of Sweden too and we’ve heard great things about Denmark. It’s a good job our ferry ticket isn’t fully flexible or we’d never get home!
Ju x
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I hate you .. I hate you…I hate you .. I hate you…I hate you .. I hate you…
OK, I don’t hate you really, but you are making it harder to look at my Spreadsheets at work each day.
I’ve started selling stuff though. A Bicycle and an Air Rifle, hopefully for the cash to install GASLOW LPG kit and Solar.
Lee
Lee & Angeline
http://www.gohumberto.com
Good to see you having a great time, and I’m loving all the the photos and videos. I went to add Melkevoll Bretun to our list of “must go to” places when we head off on our travels next year, and this was already there courtesy of Our Bumble. If you’ve both recommended it then we’ll definitly be going there!
Whoop Whoop… Our name (Charliethechucklebus) is in the guestbook too. The sauna is sooooo hot! (got to go jump in the cold stream striaght afterwards). There is such a chilled-out, relaxed vibe to the place. We loved it and thanked Ourbumble for the tip about the place. Kindest, Wayne.
Hardly anyone there when we were there, so felt almost like we owned the place, just awesome. Take it easy guys, Jay
Awesome….isn’t it beautiful….we visited exactly same spot…I’ve tagged you into a few of our pics from FB
Keep on living life to the fullest……LOVE IT
Oh yeah! Not caught any fish for a few days though, getting withdrawal symptoms! Hugs from afar, Jay
Wow! It looks absolutely fantastic. Only came upon your folks adventures while looking into Hymer B544s, and so glad I did. You’re both a true inspiration and loving following your travels.
Thanks Derek, much appreciated! Jay
The Chunnel is brill we done it a couple of times in the car but just this week did it in our hotel on wheels, it’s just a few quid dearer than ferry but much quicker and slick process. Overnight at Hythe (Princess parade) 15 mins next day to Chunnel terminal. After reading your blog Norway is now on our must do list. BTW we just started our new life on wheels with a 2 day stay in Wissant just as your freedom trip started.