Wednesday 10 December 2014

Baltic Circle Trip - Winter 2015

One 21 year old Classic Mini...
14 Different countries...
Temperatures as low as -30 degrees...
5'500 miles...
And all in less than a month.
What could go wrong...?

Those of you that know me will know i've wanted to go too the Nordkapp for the last few years, this time last year i was even planning a trip to head there in the then new year... Unfortunately, as is often the way, life got in the way and it didn't happen. However this year, there is no excuses, i've decided that its something that i need too get out of my system, and as me and Tim have failed to go anywhere exciting for over a year now, it needs too be done!

The info at the beginning of this is pretty much all the plan i have at the moment, although i have spent most of this evening putting a very rough route together on Google Maps, which has led too me getting rather excited and also a wee scared in some ways! Originally the plan was to head up through Holland, Germany, Denmark, into Sweden and keep heading north until i hit Norway, head north some more until i literally run out of road, with any luck i'd be at the Nordkapp! Then head back down, probably following the west coast of Norway a bit more on the way back... Then i had an idea, i'm not a fan of doubling back on myself on a trip until i hit Dover, so the 'Baltic Circle' idea was born... Tadaaaa!


This very rough route put together via google maps tells me that it comprises of around 5'300 miles. Accounting for me getting lost quite a bit i've rounded that up too 5'500, it'll probably end up more than that since for this trip i will be 'solo' and doing my own navigating as well as everything else! (Co-drivers please apply via the e-mail address on the 'Contact' page!) 

Mini wise everything is fairly okay, there's quite a bit to do but then there always is, he's running well though, new engine has done around 2'000 miles now and hasn't gone bang so that's a definite good sign! More info on Tim prep as it happens and in another post.... This one was supposed too be a short one!

Weather is going too be an issue i think, i'm not too sure on just how bad it's going too be inside the Arctic Circle around February. Everyone i speak too tells me something different, so i've just came up with the 'Bugger it!' attitude and decided i'll find out for myself...! The cold i'm not too worried about, its more how quickly i'll get bored of digging Tim out of several feet of snow every morning!

So yeah, that's about all there is to say at the moment... Typing this now has made me realise just how much planning i've still got to do, but at this moment its all just about manageable! Just....! Plus planning and organizing stuffs was never my strong point...! At the moment i'm concentrating on getting the car prepped. and probably more importantly, getting myself fit and sorted... I've even joined a gym! (I know, i'm as surprised as you are!)

More updates as they happen folks, and thanks for reading!

Peace and love,
Joe,