From my previous posting...
I set off tentatively towards my final destination of Stockholm, plodding along the local roads before merging onto the Autobahns. I had recently convinced the German authorities that my HGV was safe above 90kmph, and was able to take full advantage of the long ribbons of tarmac provided by Angela Merkel and her predecessors. The kilometres of Bundesautobahn 2 went by at blistering speed, almost as fast as the ICEs on the viaducts and bridges above me.
Before long, however, I was approaching Kreuz Hannover-Ost, and its feared tight and steep sliproads. The Green Machine glided around them with ease, not even scuffing itself or the trailer against the meridian wall. Again, the Green Machine streched its 'legs' - an open three-lane section enabled me to reach the dizzying speeds of
171kmph(106mph) before coming back down to sensibility for Hamburg and its mutant conurbation. The roads here were surprisingly quiet for the time of day.
Into Denmark, and we returned to having speedlimits. The little Scania motored on, and it was in Denmark that I tested my new electronic toll pass. It worked fine, but I was alarmed at the costs - an eyewatering £100. (The tolls on the Swedish side of the Oresund were cheaper, believe it or not) No matter for me, however. I continued onwards, and spotted SAS
OY-KBK on short finals at Kastrup.
Into Sweden. I drove past the city of Malmo, and up the E20. The flora and fauna around here are to die for - I was tempted to pull onto the hard shoulder and start picking plants! But then I remembered - urgent delivery! No time to pick flowers! So I kept going. My tachograph eventually told me to stop, so I duly pulled in to a layby near Jonkoping, filled the truck up and settled in for another night.
I awoke the next morning - very early the next morning and completed my run to Stockholm. I took notice of the fighter jets on the road past Linkoping, a tribute to SAAB, still based there and still producing military aircraft.
Past Sodertalje. The Scania signage was very prevalent around here, but I ignored them for now. Right now, I'm driving a consignment of bricks (in half a tandem trailer) to Stockholm. Not going light tractor around a test track. The bright lights of Stockholm beckoned me into the city, and off the motorväg. The tight, urban roads proved no challenge to me or the Machine, and we pulled into our final destination... a Scania dealership. Perhaps they were building an extension. I performed a 270 degree turn into the bay and disconnected my trailer, and took some more photos of the Machine and its destination. With the hard work of intercountry driving done, I rewarded myself with a trip to the Scania test track in Sodertalje. The motorvag was once again, empty, and before I knew it, I was off it, and on the roads around the Scania factory. I drove past what looked their R&D facility, but was unable to see inside. The factories faded away from the rear view mirrors, and I went through a small town.
Under the E20. I was at the Scania test track. The Green Machine was at its spiritual birthplace. It was home. I celebrated by popping a Kopparberg open, and admiring the picturesque Swedish countryside.
I was there.
Screenshots
be here.
