2004
May 21st – June 4th (May 28th)
This event is not organised by a member of the club but is put here in case some members are interested. If you are thinking of going drop a mail to the JCC competitions secretary.
This event ties in with British Car Week in Gothenburg, and starts 3 pm on Friday May 21st when we board the luxury Princess of Scandinavia in Newcastle upon Tyne. The two-berth cabins have private facilities and the ship has two restaurants, one boasting a wonderful smorgasbord selection. We cruise across overnight for a brief stop in Kristiansand in Norway, and then proceed to Gothenburg where we will be staying at the fabulous four star Novotel, overlooking the harbour. From the restaurant you can almost reach out and touch the huge ships as they just slide under the bridge!
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On Sunday we join in with nearly a thousand classic cars at a show at Tjoloholm Castle, and in the following days participate in various events organised by the club, including a tour of the city in a restored vintage tram, a visit to the Volvo museum, and a variety of short sight-seeing trips. People on the one-week trip leave on the morning of Thursday May 27th to arrive back in Newcastle at 10 am on the Friday morning.
The rest of us will stay on in Gothenburg until the following Monday, visiting Falkenburg race track on the Saturday and taking part in the Grand Parade through the city centre on Sunday.
On the Monday we then take a scenic route to Lidkoping on Lake Vanern for an overnight halt, and the following day travel via Trolhaatten (Saab museum) to Stromstadt for the ferry to the old whaling port of Sandefjord, where we stay two nights. On the Thursday we take a leisurely run to Kristiansand and board the Princess of Scandinavia at 5 pm for the cruise home. The costs for this trip are £449 per person for the one-week section, and just £795 per person for the two week. These prices are based on two people per car/room, and include outside cabins with private bathroom on the boat, the car transport, and all hotel accommodation (bed and breakfast). For those staying the extra week and visiting Norway the ferry charge from Stromstadt to Sandefjord is also included, and a road book, giving routes and instructions on ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ will be issued to all participants. However, other than the small distances involved around Gothenburg, the total mileage for Sweden and Norway is only about 500, so you can relax and enjoy the fabulous scenery and superb hospitality of our Scandinavian hosts.
BOOKING FORM
You can see from the picture above the location of the hotel, which is only five miles from where the ship docks. The water bus stop is just to the left of the picture, and the centre of the city is also easily reached by a short tram ride.
The entry is restricted to just fifty cars, so to avoid disappointment early booking is advised. A deposit of £200 per person secures your place, and the balance is payable in full by February 15th. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me, either by phone (01824 790280) or email: countrylanetours@aol.com
UPDATE 04 / 01 / 04
Things are moving along nicely now the final pricing has been confirmed for the crossing by DFDS, and twenty-three of the maximum fifty places have already been filled.
I have been in close contact with Bo Arnholm in Gothenburg and the itinerary is gradually being finalised. We are also being accompanied on the trip by Owen Wyn Owen and his famous Land Speed Record car ‘Babs’ which may get a chance to run at Tjoloholm Castle.
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There will be further updates as information becomes available, but for the moment the schedule is as follows:
Friday May 21st. Depart Newcastle-upon-Tyne at 3pm aboard the luxury M.V.Princess of Scandinavia.
Saturday May 22nd. Disembark in Gothenburg and travel the short distance to the Novotel. There will be the option for everyone to attend an evening meal together (I’m currently negotiating a price with the hotel).
Sunday, May 23rd. Classic car rally at Tjoloholm Castle.
Monday, May 24th. A free day to explore the city.
Tuesday, May 25th. A tour of Gothenburg by vintage tram, with a yet to be decided feature in the evening.
Wednesday, May 26th. Itinerary to be decided, but possibly a boat trip to the islands during the day, with a scenic run in the evening.
Thursday, May 27th. Those staying for the one week will sadly leave us to board the boat for Newcastle at 9am. Itinerary to be decided.
Friday, May 28th. Itinerary to be decided.
Saturday, May 29th. Itinerary to be decided.
Sunday, May 30th.British Car Week rally starts at 9.30. At 2pm the cars gather in Gustaf Adolfs Torg for the parade through the city.
Monday, May 31st. We leave Gothenburg and take a scenic route to Lake Vanern, where we spent the night in the picturesque town of Lidkoping.
Tuesday, June 1st. We travel via the Saab museum at Trolhaatan to Stromstadt where we board the ferry for the short crossing to Sandefjord.
Wednesday, June 2nd. Time to explore this ancient Norwegan whaling port. I’m also investigating the possibility of visiting Telemark, where ten commandos destroyed the German heavy water plant in the last war. It depends on the type of roads between Sandefjord and there!
Thursday, June 3rd. A leisurely run along good roads with splendid views to Kristiansand where we board the ship at 5pm for Newcastle.
Friday, June 4th. Arrival back in Newcastle at 10am.
The various extra events being organised by our Swedish hosts will be added as they have are scheduled, but on previous experience they will certainly give plenty of scope for everybody’s interests. Check www.roverclub.se for more info on this and previous years British Car Weeks.