Nordic travel plans August / September 2017

[Coastal Cruiser.]

waiting for the steaks to defrost for tea

How come you are not fishing/hunting for your supper?

 

[DavidG58]

How come you are not fishing/hunting for your supper?

have you not followed Martins attempts its cheaper to buy it

but we also like the steak from our butchers and it is Sunday

 

[moulin 87]

tomorrow we head towards but don't think we will get this far

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I swear Judith and Martin brought in military help to get air lifted further south

we are currently north east of Steinkjer, where we put in some more fuel today, I have been rather remiss at updating fuel stops but in Norway we stopped at the border to refill, then north of Lillehammer at Dombas (credit card ) another 50 litres, topped up in Kritiansund (cash) also did water and dump there ( might have stolen / borrowed their small size hozelock adaptor ) hopefully it was someone who has left theirs, like I have so many of the next size up

can't believe how easy it is to refill clean water and dump waste at almost every service station , cant do that in Scotland

Arctic circle here we come

northern lights get ready (please)

If you were underwhelmed by the Atlantic Road, the Polar Circle Centre is not great... Clean toilets, cafeteria, massive car park for the tour buses and huge shop to part unwary travellers from their money...

As for the northern lights, my B. I. L. studied them for years in the 70s/80s as a scientist for HMG, he used to come to Norway in February and go to Andenes on the Isle of Andoya where the Northern Lights Centre is, but often then didn't see a great deal.. That is 2 days north of Lofoten... We past the centre but didn't go in...

 

[jumartoo]

The Polar Circle Centre is OK for overnighting at if you arrive lateish. Otherwise it's just a big car park to sit in. There is a small path circuit you can stroll on starting from the "cairns".

 

[DavidG58]

Thanks Judith, that has helped make up our minds, 2 days from here unless we find somewhere else to delay us, the only commitment we have coming up is 6th Sept collect A + R from Narvik airport, although even that is fluid as they are hiring a car

weather where we are heading looks clear skies not looking so good behind us, hope it is still good with you J + M

I woke at 04:00 and peeped out as we had the blind open (just in case of aurora ) sky was just starting to signs of day and a decent sunrise looked likely, but I fell asleep waiting, still not bad at 06:30 though

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[DavidG58]

evening all, just parked up a few miles north of Mosjoen on above map, pretty much as scheduled, just been through a dump and refill option that stands Norway way ahead of Scotland, a lot of the major garages have a full floor level drive over grid disposal option and tap for fresh refill. There may be some need for caution on the hygiene side as it is very close to the cassette emptying point, but we never drink the water on board so virtually no risk to us. They are signed very similarly to the French aire signs

Lovely drive up, very scenic, lovely sunny day with some nice stop points, Bev has geo cached (I have actually helped ) 5 more 'bagged' today

A few of the stop over points, today featuring on waterfalls

I am going to try to post these due to poor internet connection where we are parked and hope to continue

 

[DavidG58]

on our travels today, quite early on and nowhere near as high as we have been since, the council were out fitting snow marker posts alongside the road, I have convinced Bev that is for much later in the year and with so many to do they have to start early, please god don't let it start snowing too soon

saw this on one of our stop overs today, a lovely little hut with benches and fire pit, plus log pile to be proud of stacked up at the back, couldn't help but think back home some scrote would have either stolen the wood or just burnt it down along with the shed

then this parking option, similar idea to Isle of Harris Trust with an honesty system for overnighting, at first glance I thought this might already be being abused here but now not so sure, the sign does suggest caravans welcome, but a couple do look pretty permanent, but loads of empty spaces, some even with a deck to park alongside and use, a lot of places lakeside, all for 100NK £10 / night, a slight twist is that the signs do say even stopping incurs the same charge if only for lunch which seems a little greedy, maybe a few NK but not the same as overnight

Have now observed my first dry loo @moulin 87 look quite innocent from quick inspection until you open the lid, I have saved you from that photo

the first photo with the motorhome looks like he is there for the season, but it is similar to other empty pitches and although we didn't see him to ask I reckon he may just be overnighting or a night or 2 possibly, the decking and bench are all part of the pitch

 

[Dave K]

on our travels today, quite early on and nowhere near as high as we have been since, the council were out fitting snow marker posts alongside the road, I have convinced Bev that is for much later in the year and with so many to do they have to start early, please god don't let it start snowing too soon

saw this on one of our stop overs today, a lovely little hut with benches and fire pit, plus log pile to be proud of stacked up at the back, couldn't help but think back home some scrote would have either stolen the wood or just burnt it down along with the shed

View attachment 182424

View attachment 182425


then this parking option, similar idea to Isle of Harris Trust with an honesty system for overnighting, at first glance I thought this might already be being abused here but now not so sure, the sign does suggest caravans welcome, but a couple do look pretty permanent, but loads of empty spaces, some even with a deck to park alongside and use, a lot of places lakeside, all for 100NK £10 / night, a slight twist is that the signs do say even stopping incurs the same charge if only for lunch which seems a little greedy, maybe a few NK but not the same as overnight

Have now observed my first dry loo @moulin 87 look quite innocent from quick inspection until you open the lid, I have saved you from that photo

the first photo with the motorhome looks like he is there for the season, but it is similar to other empty pitches and although we didn't see him to ask I reckon he may just be overnighting or a night or 2 possibly, the decking and bench are all part of the pitch

View attachment 182426

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Looks lovely David, how does what you've seen so far compare with Scotland?

 

[DavidG58]

and finally our stop for tonight, now empty of all waste and full of clean, we turned of the E6 main road to what should be a minor road, but for a short while seemed be a diversion for the E6, which for the only road does seem really quiet. We now think the 10 locals all returned from work together at 5 hence the business, not seen a car or other vehicle for 1/2 hour now, and very few on the E6 which we can see in the distance

It has just started raining the first we have had since Germany last Sunday, but let it rain overnight and sunshine again tomorrow arctic circle tomorrow would like to still be in shorts

 

[DavidG58]

Looks lovely David, how does what you've seen so far compare with Scotland?

hello Dave

It is a jolly sight bigger than Scotland and an awful lot further away

I am reserving judgement till we have 'discovered' the Lofoten Isles, they look awesome on the travel blurb, but so does the isle of Harris, lot of driving, tomorrow I tick off one of my bucket list, to drive over the arctic circle can't do that in Scotland

Should we get to see the northern lights that will really have made my trip, will update fully and honestly as we go and in detail at the end

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[Dave K]

hello Dave

It is a jolly sight bigger than Scotland and an awful lot further away

I am reserving judgement till we have 'discovered' the Lofoten Isles, they look awesome on the travel blurb, but so does the isle of Harris, lot of driving, tomorrow I tick off one of my bucket list, to drive over the arctic circle can't do that in Scotland

Should we get to see the northern lights that will really have made my trip, will update fully and honestly as we go and in detail at the end

Look forward to seeing more pics, fingers crossed you'll see the northern lights during your trip, it would make the trip for us also, take care mate .

 

[jumartoo]

We've found the service points were more prolific in the north. Down here there are very few places to empty. We had a hard time even to get fresh water a few days ago. Even though we were willing to pay at petrol stations, the ones we called in to didn't have outside taps.

We've had a grey day today, and rain a short while ago. Hope your trip continues with good weather, especially for the Lofoten part. AND it goes without saying, hope you see the Northern Lights!

 

[daveandsan]

@DavidG58 So glad you are enjoying your trip David and I do hope you get to see the Northern Lights, if you get to see the lights we must have photos.

 

[DavidG58]

I guess it had to happen, had rain all night some thunder, still raining hard now, moving northwards soon. Arctic circle later . bound to be dry and sunny there

 

[Cal54]

Great photos David, so glad you are enjoying the trip. I really hope you get to see the Arora as you deserve to with all the effort you are putting in. Safe travels.

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[jumartoo]

I'm sure the weather will be OK just like it always is!!!

Keep out of the visitor centre (or at least leave your wallet in the van). The size of a moose is interesting though!

 

[DavidG58]

Just spotted some blue bits in the sky, still in shorts staying hopeful



Currently on a diversion due to tunnel closure, climbed up a lot just at a lay by with view point and geo cache we will probably not see either

 

[Granjan]

Been googling weather for lofoten looks chilly for shorts! Loving your blog.

 

[moulin 87]

I'm sure the weather will be OK just like it always is!!!

Keep out of the visitor centre (or at least leave your wallet in the van). The size of a moose is interesting though!

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Just take your time passing through the tunnels..

 

[DavidG58]

Just done some more shopping. Some things are remarkably similar prices to U.K. Nowhere near as shocked as I expected, the lack of fresh meat is a surprise but we bought plenty of mince and chicken so OK for a few more days.

We are now in Mo I Rana been to tourist office now on way to Arctic Circle and sun has come back out

Overnight at centre for arctic circle hopefully with short walk. Plan next few days, a tip we have is for Kjerringoy looks amazing and northerly aspects for aurora viewing options. Good reports for next few nights

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[jumartoo]

The short walk I mentioned goes from the cairns (you'll know what I mean when you see them) wanders through the vegetation and rocks, climbs a small hill and then heads back towards the car park. I did it looking for the elusive cloudberries but not found any yet!

 

[DavidG58]

One big tick in one of my boxes, arrived just before it rained, but sun is now back out so will be off on that walk in a bit

Only just warm enough for shorts, but still sticking with it

 

[Langtoftlad]

@DavidG58
Loving the blog & the determined shorts wearing

 

[Robert Clark]

Found this pic online

Also looks like the nights are set to get cold

Hope you packed your woolly PJ's

 

[DavidG58]

Accuweather uses 'real feel' alongside the temperature, quite often says 2 or 3 C higher than actual

but really need clear skies for this, 31st night is giving really strong predictions

need to confirm weather for Bodo, going that way tomorrow

looking potentially good, although the real feel seems not be favouring my shorts

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[DavidG58]

a few more from today, so much better in the sun, which it certainly isn't right now again

 

[jumartoo]

You've got shadows and more blue in the sky than we have.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Loving the selfie including the dog, that's a great pic.
Unfortunately the moon getting a bit big on 31st if you do manage clear skies. As you have found out, the Norwegians love to light up their bridges and roads and towns. Try to park out of the way of any ambient lights to stand best chance. We were out at sea with all deck lights switched off but still found shoreline lights hampered viewing.

 

[Jenben]

Loving the photos @DavidG58 , can't help feeling that Bev is hugging Lola like a large hot water bottle in that final photo....

 

[DavidG58]

Tea Norwegian / UK style, local fishcakes with mushy peas

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