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T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 0 In 2014 everyone in our group was topped and tailed in the latest Gore-Tex, and wearing a pair of boots purchased for the price of a whole School trip to Malham in 1974. One thing that hasn't changed much is the reliance on the OS map, and having three map-readers in our team provided useful checks and balances on our route. The GPS also helped clarify exactly where we were on several occasions and provided an informative record of our route, walking speed and timings. The Three Peaks route is also much better marked now than it used to be, presumably to accommodate it's increasingly popularity and the impact of relentless footfall on the fells. I genuinely cannot recall meeting any other walkers on the route in 1974 (maybe they looked at the weather that day and had more sense). Today, the route is much busier, and in places a little crowded. Nevertheless, this does not diminish the sense of achievement. As I write this my son Gareth has just started his A-level Geography. Part of this will include a field trip to Malham. No doubt this will result in the completion of rather more Health and Safety forms than we ever did, and I somehow doubt whether the Three Peaks Challenge will be embraced within the programme for the week. Despite his reluctance to engage in a discourse with his father over limestone pavements, I wonder if the experience will resonate with him 40 years on? Richard Griff iths ‘Is this where we went wrong 40 years ago?’ Richard consults the map en route to Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Pen-y-Gent in the background Looking back at Whernside just before the ascent of Ingleborough 9.15 am and Whernside is in the bag! 200 m done, and just 27 miles to go... 38
My first excursion to Norway was prompted by my sister, Bethan deciding she was going there to look for a new venture abroad. From living in the district of Jesmond, a more affluent area of Newcastle upon Tyne in those days and working in the Teaching Profession in the new town of Killingworth, it was an easy crossing embarking on the 'Leda' from Tyne Commissioners Quay. So I followed her route by boat to Bergen at Easter 1971 for my first visit in the snow and ice and had my first taste of this Scandinavian country. Three years later after an initial taste I returned again in the summer of 1974. This time, my sister and I had a plan to travel in an Austin 1300, to once again take the same crossing to Bergen across the North Sea, but this time to drive to the North Cape, the most northerly point in Norway, by travelling hopefully! Travelling the Fjord Coast by using numerous ferries and moving north to the Svartisen Glacier and passing the Arctic Circle at 66.5 degrees North we arrived at the North Cape after motoring for ten days and just under 2000 miles, were all part of the experience. Forty years on, no longer is it possible to take the ferry from Newcastle on Tyne any more as it has not been available for a number of years. The chosen route was the Channel Tunnel and travel through France, Belgium, Netherlands and to Germany on the first day for a weekend sojourn in Eime, near Hanover. After the short stay, the route was now north to Hamburg and skirting Lubeck, a delightful city, before pulling up for the crossing to Denmark, from Puttgarden to Rodbyhavn. There was a twenty minute wait and a forty five minute crossing which made it a very efficient crossing from Fehmarn to the island of Lolland in Denmark, probably the most efficient and shortest link from Germany to Denmark's capital, Copenhagen. However, the journey continued to the next island, Falster and then across another stretch of water by bridge to Vordingborg on Sjaelland (Zealand) the main island of Denmark. Skirting Naestved, the overnight stop was at the hotel Sorup Herregard, near the hamlet of Vetterslev just off the main road to Ringsted. The journey was 324 miles. The next day of the journey included a short visit to Ringsted and then to Roskilde before a walk through the baroque gardens and fountains of the Castle (slot) of Fredericksborg before making for the ferry from Helsingor (Elsinore) in Denmark and arriving in Halsingborg in Sweden. Again the ferry crossing with Scandlines was very efficient and one is also rewarded with a clear view of Hamlet's Cronburg Castle. Our main route was now the E6 North. One detour was made T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 0 NORWAY REVISITED 40 YEARS ON to the coast to see the town of Halmstad. The E6 eventually brings one to Goteborg (Gothenburg), the second city of Sweden, a journey of 242 miles if you ever consider doing the drive from Central Sjaelland (Zealand). The accommodation in Goteborg was the Ibis Hotel on a boat on the quayside which is not far from the City Centre. Departure next day was 9.00am with a short drive around town before continuing north on the E6, with a deviation planned on the E45, following the Gota River upstream to visit Trollhattan and the Gota Canal, where there are locks taking the boats up and downstream. Returning by the E44 westwards to the E6, once more the journey continued north towards Oslo. Staying in the west of town, it was more convenient to take the tunnels under the Oslo Fjord to reach the Scandic Hotel on the site of the former airport at Fornebu. A meal in the centre near Akersgata not far from the Radhaus (Town Hall) on a balmy evening was a change from the driving of the last three days. The evening allowed one time to drive up to Holmenkollen, the site of the Ski Jumping and the point of celebration of the National Day in Norway. The views looking over the City and the Oslo Fjord at dusk were very rewarding as the sun was setting. Holmenkollen ski slope We had the best part of two days to take in some of the sights of the Norwegian capital not seen since my last visit in 1974. The area of Bygdoy on the edge of the Oslo Fjord is not far from the centre and is where there are museums of boats. Thor Heyerdal's Kontiki is housed here with a vast amount of information and displays of his achievements in his balsa wood boat and Ra1 and 2. There is a second museum here of Viking Ships of Oseberg, Gokstad and Tune and the detail about these boats. The third of the three museums is the story of the Fram and the achievement of Amundsen being the first explorer to reach the South Pole who started his explorations in Northern Canada, then eventually wanting to go the Antarctic. There is also much on Scott of the Antarctic here and his very disappointing and sad attempt to be the first to reach the South Pole, but beaten by Amundsen. Another interesting visit is to Frogner Park where there is a vast array of Gustav Vigeland's work, mainly sculptures and statues. Vigeland lived from 1869-1943 and from the main gate take a walk up the wide path between the statues and end up at the centre piece on the lower terrace. Then climb up the steps to the twenty metre high obelisk, the Monolith between the 200 figures in bronze, granite and cast iron, depicting every emotion of humanity with the 'The Angry Child' being a popular photograph! Gustav Vigeland started his work as a wood carver but fell under the spell of Rodin and switched to stone, iron and bronze, starting work in the Park in 1924. and continuing till his death. During this visit there was an opportunity to go into the centre of Oslo, entering in front of the Palace and parking in 39
Page 1 and 2: No 80 /February 2015 The Old Statio
Page 3 and 4: T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o
Page 17 and 18: 70th Anniversary of Operation Marke
Page 35 and 36: WHY WE SPEND NEARLY HALF THE YEAR I
Page 37: T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o
Page 45 and 46: PETER BULLEN 1927-2014 A Service of

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