Northern Lights or Bust!

[ceejayt]

Beautiful sunrise this morning - up and at 'em early doors as long drive today to Lulea which is about 150km short of the arctic circle. Bright sunshine and clear sky - hope it stays that way - better chance of seeing the lights.

 

[Dave and Mand]

I do hope you see them, we went to Iceland for a week and didn't see any. Plan on going to Tromso next time.

 

[ceejayt]

Just met some Norwegians - I am now in Lulea Sweden - they don't think they will let me across the border being from the UK - will try anyway

 

[ceejayt]

I do hope you see them, we went to Iceland for a week and didn't see any. Plan on going to Tromso next time.

Perfect night tonight but not quite far enough North yet - another 200km required

 

[bobnick]

Just met some Norwegians - I am now in Lulea Sweden - they don't think they will let me across the border being from the UK - will try anyway

Fingers and everything else crossed hoping they do.

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[Riverbankannie]

Perfect night tonight but not quite far enough North yet - another 200km required

This is a good time in the lunar schedule too. Full moon is Sept 1st and Oct 2nd.

 

[The general]

Just met some Norwegians - I am now in Lulea Sweden - they don't think they will let me across the border being from the UK - will try anyway

You can stop overnite at the ikea store on border and walk across into Finland !!!!

 

[ceejayt]

You can stop overnite at the ikea store on border and walk across into Finland !!!!

Doesn’t help me get home through Finland

 

[Bluemanc100]

Perfect night tonight but not quite far enough North yet - another 200km required

I saw them some years ago when I was deployed with the RAF In northern Scotland.. saw them quite by chance as we weren’t expecting them

 

[ceejayt]

Now at Lulea after 5 hours on the road - their roads are amazingly good but don't try counting the trees, blimey they have a lot of wood - no wonder they need so many Ikea's they need to use it all up.

Nothing else much here but the marina site is in a lovely location - again, next to the water.

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[The general]

Lulea is a university town that’s dead when students are away , ferry port as well to Finland if I remember

 

[The general]

5 hrs drive ex.

 

[The general]

maybe worth inquiring at ferry terminal if Finland accepting U.K. people ?

 

[ceejayt]

Spoke to some Norwegians in motorhome next to me - they have been refused entry into Finland at the border, they also don't think I will get into Norway. So, change iff plan for tomorrow - still heading North but to Kiruna which is well inside the arctic circle and has a forecast for a clear sky tomorrow - it does appear though that the next reasonable display of the lights won't be for another week.

Time to explore Sweden for a while I guess

 

[Littlewheels]

It doesn’t matter how many times you reroute what matters is reaching your objective,keep the positive thinking going.

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[Riverbankannie]

Norway change the rules on Fridays so fingers crossed!

 

[mid4did]

Definately keep thinking positive.The nights are getting darker and either way you'll be in a good location to see the lights from where you are upwards.It's forecast to be kp2 for the next 3 days but it's worth downloading an app to keep an eye on it.I use Aurora forecast 3d free from the appstore.Kiruna is where the ice hotel will be so if you want a gander it also happens to be by a nice restplatz at 67.8558 20.5256,enough room for yours there,beside a lake with a firepit and table .saturday is forecast to be clear but again that could all change.I travelled along the E45 towards finland as the skies are really dark along there and there at least 2 wildcamping spots with a north facing view to see the lights.

 

[ceejayt]

It doesn’t matter how many times you reroute what matters is reaching your objective,keep the positive thinking going.

Have decided to definitely hang around in Northern Sweden till I see them!

 

[ceejayt]

Definately keep thinking positive.The nights are getting darker and either way you'll be in a good location to see the lights from where you are upwards.It's forecast to be kp2 for the next 3 days but it's worth downloading an app to keep an eye on it.I use Aurora forecast 3d free from the appstore.Kiruna is where the ice hotel will be so if you want a gander it also happens to be by a nice restplatz at 67.8558 20.5256,enough room for yours there,beside a lake with a firepit and table .saturday is forecast to be clear but again that could all change.I travelled along the E45 towards finland as the skies are really dark along there and there at least 2 wildcamping spots with a north facing view to see the lights.

Thanks - that sounds better than the place I had planned in Kiruna so have plumbed that in. Onward and Northward tomorrow

 

[The general]

Carry on right upto Norwegian border well worth it , if memory is right Abisko national park ? While in kiruna see if you can catch seeing the IRON ORE train leaving for narvik heavy industry at its best

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[The general]

The inland rt E45 is of interest as well but some parts still unpaved as of last yr ? But wilderness , and Sami culture

 

[ceejayt]

Leftlegger I see there is an LPG station at Kiruna - do you know if I will be able to fill there - I have underslung tank? I stopped at another station earlier today and the connection was clearly for bottle filling - no adaptor I had would fit it - have quite a bit on board but if I am going to be hanging about for a week or so in the North then a top up would be nice to have.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Thanks - that sounds better than the place I had planned in Kiruna so have plumbed that in. Onward and Northward tomorrow

Keep pushing on, we are all cheering you on from the rear.
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Ok, I know pengiuns are not in the arctic!

 

[Herbyventures]

Sounds wonderful! We went on a cruise to North Norway last October/November and saw the lights near Alta. We were lucky and had snow everywhere too, very cold but utterly lovely. Good luck!!! But don't eat the brown cheese.

 

[mid4did]

Leftlegger I see there is an LPG station at Kiruna - do you know if I will be able to fill there - I have underslung tank? I stopped at another station earlier today and the connection was clearly for bottle filling - no adaptor I had would fit it - have quite a bit on board but if I am going to be hanging about for a week or so in the North then a top up would be nice to have.

Yes,as you know pm,d you with information.But info is also on noticeboard at the laxforsen restplatz

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[ceejayt]

Yes,as you know pm,d you with information.But info is also on noticeboard at the laxforsen restplatz

You would not believe the roadworks in Kiruna - all the roads dug up, hardly any signs - ended up being stuck in an industrial estate unable to find a way out for about 40 minutes

However, in the end I did find and fill up the gas - scruffy place but who cares - does the job. Now parked as per your recommendation pin a stellplatze just down the road by a lake - just squeezed into the last spot.

Clear sky but no aurora tonight. Tomorrow I will move to the other spot you PM'd me about

 

[ceejayt]

Hoofing it up the E10 today

Link

 

[Kilroy]

What a great thread and very inspiring to read.
I am especially enjoying how how you started with a well formed plan, but are able to change it without drama as circumstances change!...very encouraging for a wannabe in search of first MH!!
Best of luck for the rest of the trip!

 

[Kilroy]

Great photos too. Definitely confirming Scandinavia for my bucket list!

 

[ceejayt]

What a great thread and very inspiring to read.
I am especially enjoying how how you started with a well formed plan, but are able to change it without drama as circumstances change!...very encouraging for a wannabe in search of first MH!!
Best of luck for the rest of the trip!

Thanks, being able to change is one of the great things about motorhoming.

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