Norway here we come: Currently we are in Denmark (Day 101 of 365 days off)

As of today, it is official, we are allowed to enter Norway 😃 We had already booked the ferry (risk-takers) and it will depart from the Danish port of Hirtshals on July 16, to which we are on the way today.

Our first stop in Denmark is not far from the German border, at a farm, right on a lake (with sun, wind + rain and sometimes all at once ;o)

Since our last blog post, we have continued driving along the Dutch coast towards the north and stayed at a campsite near Callantsoog. From there we made trips with the Smart, including to the pretty town of Schagen, where a large market was taking place. From there we went to the Ijsselmeer, to the tourist town of Volendam and to Edam. We had a more rustic memory of Volendam. We also expected to find a typical fish stand there, but that was not the case. If we had known that beforehand, we would have eaten fish at the fish stand (from Volendam =;o) at the market in Schagen, and not just fries, which were very tasty 😉

In addition, we drove along the Dutch coast southwards, including Haargen aan Zee, Bergen aan Zee, and Egmond aan Zee. The coastal towns are typical holiday areas with less charm. Especially Bergen aan Zee, we had imagined it to be more beautiful. What we found more interesting was Bergen, especially with regard to the beautiful houses.

In general, Holland has beautiful and especially individual architecture. In Germany, there are often development plans that prescribe a similarity (e.g. red roof tiles, only pitched roof, etc). In Holland, it feels like it's the other way around, every house should look different, even if it's only minimal, even row houses. If you want to build an individual house, you could get good ideas here 👍

After the coast, we continued to Alkmaar, which we also remembered as more rustic / beautiful. By the way, unlike Belgium, you have to pay for parking in Holland (almost ;o), especially on the coast 😉

Unfortunately, the weather was very changeable all the time and especially the last days in Holland were rather rainy and extremely stormy.

Fortunately, on Saturday (July 4th) there was a small break in the rain (after stormy continuous rain), during which we could secure the car on the trailer and continue traveling north. The road led over a long dike road. Since this road has a wall on one side and the strong wind came mainly from behind, it was fortunately not so bad with the large motorhome with trailer in tow, even in such strong winds (which we were worried about in advance 🤔).

In Groningen, Holland, we are staying at a free parking space where we had already stayed before (with our old motorhome), so we knew beforehand that we can park there ideally with our length, including the trailer. Right next to the parking space, there is a diverse range of sports facilities (climbing hall, water skiing, swimming pool, golf, etc.) as well as a recreational area. The Dutch really know how to do it in this regard 👍 Groningen city is also really beautiful and especially recommended when the market is taking place (e.g. on Saturdays). Directly at the parking space (which borders a large car park) there is a P+R bus line that goes directly to the city and back.

Last Sunday we traveled 333 kilometers north 'home', so that we could visit family and friends in the last few days, as well as take care of various other things and do some grocery shopping.

But now the journey continues...

As always, we appreciate your interest 👍 and send warm greetings to all of you 😃

Thomas, Janina, and Triene

P.S .: Our detailed steps, with further information and even more pictures, can still be followed via polarsteps: https://www.polarsteps.com/TrieneaufReisen/3152827-ein-jahr-auszeit-mit-dem-wohnmobil-durch-die-usa