Geiranger

Once packed away we had a very short run to the ferry across the fjord. Timed it absolutely perfectly, ferry had just come in and was unloading, we almost drove straight on without stopping. We were second stop, so at first stop we had to drive off and then drive back on again to make sure we were at the front and pointing in the right direction.

From Dragsvik a gentle easy drive on route 13 hugging the fjord side, but I knew what was coming and, sure enough, we started heading upwards. Slow and relentless to start and then the sheer wall of zig zags came in to view.  Launched into it but I struggled as before. Not helped by a van coming in the opposite direction not giving way to me and forcing me to labour on a hairpin. Clutch slip smell forced a stop. After a while decided the only thing to do was carry on and see what happened, see if the situation got any worse. Made it to the top, but clutch smell still lingered.

Small council of war at top went through options. No spare clutch plates with us, so we would need to get one shipped out, what size is mine, and how/who could do the work.  Major job if needed and would really dent the journey plans.

James came up with an alternative: the problem is probably caused by my high gearing because of range rover diffs. So, swap my diff with his spare standard one and put my gearing back to how it should be. This would mean less stress/torque through clutch. Assuming I hadn't already ruined clutch this may see me through. The swap would take place at the end of the day, in the meantime john was told to drive me more considerately and keep in 1st or 2nd even if it meant creeping up the hills.

Onwards and downwards, small detour to look at a waterfall, which was driving a tiny hydro electric generator in a hut. Tiny, but was still producing 80kWh.

Lunch at Vallestad overlooking a fjord like a mirror. Picture perfect, but if used for a jigsaw it would give headaches as reflection was flawless.  it needed someone to chuck in a stone to break it up.

Turned on to route 5 at Moskog, and on this stretch we passed loads of classic cars, mainly American but some Brit ones in there too. Must've been a meeting somewhere in the area.

I had two more severe climbs. One on route 60 to Utvik, a good run along side fjords on route 15, through a couple of tunnels to pick up route 63 and the next climb. This one being the highest we'd done so far. Taking us over the pass to our night stop in Geiranger. Long, long climb, eventually reaching a barren plateau of snow and ice. Beautiful in the sunshine, but inhospitable in any other condition. Even though drop was on switchbacks it took us a long time to get back to the tree line. Once there though we looked down on the fjord with a cruise ship moored up. Quite surreal.

Campsite above the town, alongside a waterfall. Spectacular, and a unique setting, but now the sun has gone behind the mountain the waterfall and it's spray is acting like a giant air conditioner and the temp has dropped considerably.

Dave and James decided that as no further clutch slip had been experienced, no further clutch smell smelt, and I'd made it up and down the last two passes, there was no need to change my diff. It may introduce more problems. So, I just need to be driven considerately tomorrow and I should be fine. I've been promised that tomorrow is the last day of mountain climbing., but that includes the Troll road. Large amount of trepidation.

Henry lost a brake lamp today, but soon fixed - bulb loose in socket.