From Spain to Norway - the long way round

[jumartoo]

There were many motorhomes parked up to the left of the bay, off shot in the photo. Don't know if they were wilding or had to pay. If you arrived at the small area we parked for the walk when everyone had left I don't think you'd have a problem.

We've only wild camped on the Lofotens. You can park on any suitable area provided its 150 metres from any house. Some of the rest places are now showing this sign.

Even some places that are in Camper Contact as overnight stops.

Just boarding a ferry ATM so will continue when on board!

 

[jumartoo]

OK on ferry and sailing - as quick as that! Crossing from Lodingden to Bognes to save more than 300km of driving back through Narvik. £64 for our van so not too expensive if you deduct the price of the fuel it would take to drive, plus a small ferry on the road route.

Last night we wild camped at an area we'd already spotted on our drive to Å. We especially took notice because a motorhomer was heading back to his van carrying a big fish.

The area had the best views so far. A path went to a fishing spot! It was next to one of the bridges so we could watch boats sailing under. It was almost perfect. The almost bit was because we couldn't get an internet signal. The first time on the trip and we'd been in more remote places than that.

View through the side window

And view through the windscreen.

Martin went fishing (twice in one day)

He caught more mackerel but put them back.

We had cold mackerel left from the other day so I made a rice meal with paella rice, cumin, boiled eggs and the mackerel. Looks a bit like a paella but couldn't possibly call it that or we'd not be let back into Spain.

 

[moulin 87]

OK on ferry and sailing - as quick as that! Crossing from Lodingden to Bognes to save more than 300km of driving back through Narvik. £64 for our van so not too expensive if you deduct the price of the fuel it would take to drive, plus a small ferry on the road route.

Last night we wild camped at an area we'd already spotted on our drive to Å. We especially took notice because a motorhomer was heading back to his van carrying a big fish.

The area had the best views so far. A path went to a fishing spot! It was next to one of the bridges so we could watch boats sailing under. It was almost perfect. The almost bit was because we couldn't get an internet signal. The first time on the trip and we'd been in more remote places than that.

View through the side window
View attachment 179020

And view through the windscreen.
View attachment 179021

Martin went fishing (twice in one day)
View attachment 179022

He caught more mackerel but put them back.

We had cold mackerel left from the other day so I made a rice meal with paella rice, cumin, boiled eggs and the mackerel. Looks a bit like a paella but couldn't possibly call it that or we'd not be let back into Spain.

View attachment 179024

When you finally get to Fauske you'll be able to get cheap diesel!! 12 NOK a litre.. ( or it was in June)

 

[Scout]

OK on ferry and sailing - as quick as that! Crossing from Lodingden to Bognes to save more than 300km of driving back through Narvik. £64 for our van so not too expensive if you deduct the price of the fuel it would take to drive, plus a small ferry on the road route.

Last night we wild camped at an area we'd already spotted on our drive to Å. We especially took notice because a motorhomer was heading back to his van carrying a big fish.

The area had the best views so far. A path went to a fishing spot! It was next to one of the bridges so we could watch boats sailing under. It was almost perfect. The almost bit was because we couldn't get an internet signal. The first time on the trip and we'd been in more remote places than that.

View through the side window
View attachment 179020

And view through the windscreen.
View attachment 179021

Martin went fishing (twice in one day)
View attachment 179022

He caught more mackerel but put them back.

We had cold mackerel left from the other day so I made a rice meal with paella rice, cumin, boiled eggs and the mackerel. Looks a bit like a paella but couldn't possibly call it that or we'd not be let back into Spain.

View attachment 179024

hey the looks good, was it?. I like fish with a light poached/boiled egg, hes something about the the fishy runny yolk thing, or maby Im just weird...I bet if feels fantastic just fishing for your tea.

Than you so much for sharing this trip with those of who cant make it (yet) and inspiring those can can/will.

 

[DavidG58]

You do seem to be able to make good progress on the roads though, even if you haven't updated us for 24 hours

I am looking at site options for Lofoten, you may have passed some, will stick a link on my own thread, we intend to wild and use camp sites, Bev does like a few nights in same place occasionally, especially after our relative race to get up there

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[jumartoo]

I think Reine would be a nice place to visit if only it weren't so busy. Wilding in some places is sooo easy and then, like tonight, we've struggled to find somewhere far enough from the road to stop but hopefully where we are here will be OK (Martin can fish from here!!! and he's thinking about going out now).

When you finally get to Fauske you'll be able to get cheap diesel!! 12 NOK a litre.. ( or it was in June)

May be there tomorrow unless we find somewhere interesting to stop before. I'll post the up to date price on here.

I want to try to find some Cloud Berries. We stopped today to speak to a young Finnish couple with a toddler and a very young baby, who were wild tenting!!! They told us what to look for (yellow berries a bit like raspberry shape).' They'd had all the ones near their tent on their breakfast cereals! I'm on a mission. Failing that blue berries (bilberries?).

Anyone @DBK know what these are? Are they edible, there are a lot of them about.

 

[jumartoo]

nice pic judith.....what were the wooden structures? at a guess something to with fishing?

The wooden structures are for fish drying but we've only seen empty ones. There must be a season for it.

 

[Robert Clark]

I think Reine would be a nice place to visit if only it weren't so busy. Wilding in some places is sooo easy and then, like tonight, we've struggled to find somewhere far enough from the road to stop but hopefully where we are here will be OK (Martin can fish from here!!! and he's thinking about going out now).



May be there tomorrow unless we find somewhere interesting to stop before. I'll post the up to date price on here.

I want to try to find some Cloud Berries. We stopped today to speak to a young Finnish couple with a toddler and a very young baby, who were wild tenting!!! They told us what to look for (yellow berries a bit like raspberry shape).' They'd had all the ones near their tent on their breakfast cereals! I'm on a mission. Failing that blue berries (bilberries?).

Anyone @DBK know what these are? Are they edible, there are a lot of them about.

View attachment 179049

Think they're Mountain Bilberry

http://www.berrywerks.com/berries/mountain-bilberry

 

[jumartoo]

Think they're Mountain Bilberry

http://www.berrywerks.com/berries/mountain-bilberry

Certainly look like it (thanks, by the way. Our internet is too slow to do searches, I'd rather be on here) but most of the plants are only ankle height. If they're edible I can fill buckets of them.

 

[DBK]

Think they're Mountain Bilberry

http://www.berrywerks.com/berries/mountain-bilberry

You can probably make wine out of them if you have time to wait.

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[jumartoo]

We have wrap sandwiches I use pesto grated carrot and grated cheese ! Delicious!

The first shop in Norway Martin went in and came out with a milk, a yogurt and a bag of carrots. He said it was the only thing he could find that wasn't extortionate for the amount (£3 btw). So grated carrot in wraps will use some of them, thanks Anthea.

 

[jumartoo]

The view from our van (Martin is out fishing btw). Photos are deceptive because behind us some 30 metres away is the main E6 road to Narvik. It's good for us for a night though.

 

[DBK]

The view from our van (Martin is out fishing btw). Photos are deceptive because behind us some 30 metres away is the main E6 road to Narvik. It's good for us for a night though.

View attachment 179052

Is that snow in the distance?

 

[Robert Clark]

We saw a little bit of snow when we were in Norway too

 

[moulin 87]

Is that snow in the distance?

When we were there in late June any lake above 200 metres would still have been frozen and snow completely covered many of the hills from a similar altitude..

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[Scout]

The view from our van (Martin is out fishing btw). Photos are deceptive because behind us some 30 metres away is the main E6 road to Narvik. It's good for us for a night though.

View attachment 179052

Id better not mention the "boat" word to Martin then, or the fact you can get small ones the it on motorhome roofs

 

[Baileysbus]

Certainly look like it (thanks, by the way. Our internet is too slow to do searches, I'd rather be on here) but most of the plants are only ankle height. If they're edible I can fill buckets of them.

Hi Judith
If you pass a hardware store on your travels, have a look for one or two of these https://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/549-Jonas-Swedish-Berry-Picker/
They make berry picking a total breeze. Highly recommended. I found them fairly easily available when I was over a few years ago

 

[jumartoo]

Is that snow in the distance?

Certainly is. I've tried to take a better photo but the light is wrong.

The best I can do with the phone.

 

[jumartoo]

When you finally get to Fauske you'll be able to get cheap diesel!! 12 NOK a litre.. ( or it was in June)

In Fauske now. Just filled up. Pump price said NOK11.48 but I've noticed it says NOK12.58 in the receipt. Naughty???

Still cheap though (for Norway)

 

[jumartoo]

As we left Fauske we saw a place to fill LPG as well.

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[moulin 87]

In Fauske now. Just filled up. Pump price said NOK11.48 but I've noticed it says NOK12.58 in the receipt. Naughty???

Still cheap though (for Norway)

Lets hope you didn't put petrol in by mistake!!

Are you off to the maelstrom?, well worth a visit..

 

[Hagstrom]

Are you using the van heating in the evening? It's been almost that weather here the last few nights.

 

[jumartoo]

Are you using the van heating in the evening? It's been almost that weather here the last few nights.

Not in the evenings but have put it on in the mornings the last couple of days, gives us hot water then as well!

Parking tonight (probably) on the Arctic Circle as we head south. Might need the heating then!

 

[jumartoo]

Lets hope you didn't put petrol in by mistake!!

Are you off to the maelstrom?, well worth a visit..

No to both!!

Definitely says diesel on the receipt.

We're heading south now. Hope to get something done at the Saltfjellet Svartisen National Park. Any knowledge of this?

 

[Hagstrom]

Believe there's a glacier to walk up to and look at. (Maybe you didn't pack the crampons? Or the Langlaufen skis?)

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[moulin 87]

No to both!!

Definitely says diesel on the receipt.

We're heading south now. Hope to get something done at the Saltfjellet Svartisen National Park. Any knowledge of this?

Yes...

We went to both elements, the best way to it so you can walk to it and on it is off Route 17, you need to cross the Fjord by boat to get to the path but you can easily see the glacier from the road.. From the E6 you have to cross a lake by boat, can't see anything until you disembark.. When we went it was raining so the guy said no trip...

 

[jumartoo]

Not got winter gear with us except jackets. It's August!!!

@DavidG58 make sure you've got warm bedding, its getting cold at night already.

We ARE on the Arctic Circle and I've got a GnT and Martin a beer to celebrate.

I went to explore the Centre but its just a shop and cafe and a display of stuffed animals.

Us for the night.

 

[moulin 87]

Not in the evenings but have put it on in the mornings the last couple of days, gives us hot water then as well!

Parking tonight (probably) on the Arctic Circle as we head south. Might need the heating then!

If you mean at the information centre, it is just a biggest commercial centre to take money from the tour buses which arrive every 5 minutes!!!

posted as you were posting your photos...

If you want a stopover with a difference head to the Cave centre which is advertised at the polar centre.. Spooky...

 

[jumartoo]

If you mean at the information centre, it is just a biggest commercial centre to take money from the tour buses which arrive every 5 minutes!!!

posted as you were posting your photos...

If you want a stopover with a difference head to the Cave centre which is advertised at the polar centre.. Spooky...

We've found that out!!!

 

[Hagstrom]

Are you returning on the Kristiansand- Hirtshals rapid ferry?

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