To the travel report week 5 31.August - 06.September

Midday 13 °C

Evening 6°C

Monday, August 31

There are two ferry rides on the RV17 today. One short and one longer. On the second one we almost miss getting off because we're so busy looking around and taking photos. Especially since we're there earlier than expected.

We spent the night with a view of this bridge five years ago, but today we are content with a photo stop.

A Hurtigruten ship is actually just arriving in Sandnessjoen. A rare sight in these Corona times. And then there is the Polarlys, with which we sailed to Kirkenes in September 2019.

Of course a photo is a must!

We spontaneously leave the RV17 shortly after Sandnessjoen. We drive west on the 78 to the E6 and then turn north. In Mo i Rana we fill up our half-empty gas bottle.

We decide to continue on to the Arctic Circle. In May 2015, it was still deep winter here and an icy wind was blowing.

Well today it's not exactly warm either.

But now at 4 p.m. it is exactly the right time to end today's trip.

Of course, we have to pay the shop another visit out of curiosity and the surrounding area is also a great place to stretch your legs.

We will spend the night here with five neighbors, all at a safe distance.

Nothing stands in the way of a cozy evening.

Daily route: Bronnoysund - Arctic Circle E6

Distance: 273 km

Travel time: 4 hours 52 minutes

Average consumption: 9.7 liters

Average speed 55 km/h

Pitch costs: 0 NOK without anything

Noon 13°C

Evening 13°C

Tuesday, September 1st

During the high season, up to 40 motorhomes are said to stay overnight at the Arctic Circle. This time there were only 7!

Today we are chugging north. We stop in Fauske to do some major shopping; our fridge is pretty empty.

On the way we stopped for lunch at a scenic spot.

In Bognes, where we arrive at 2.30 p.m., we take a leisurely afternoon break; the next ferry doesn't leave until 3.30 p.m. The ferry terminals fill up very quickly and in the end there isn't even enough space for everyone.

An hour later, at 4.30 p.m., the parking lot in Lodingen still has a few free spaces. We quickly make our choice, the view is beautiful on all sides and the sky is getting bluer and bluer.

Could this be a good omen for the Northern Lights?

We will see.

Day route: Arctic Circle E6 - Lodingen, Lofoten

Distance: 263 km

Travel time: 4 hours 20 minutes

Average consumption: 8.6 liters

Average speed 60 km/h

Pitch costs: 200 NOK incl. water/electricity, excluding electricity

Noon 16 °C

Evening 15°C

Wednesday, September 2

Midnattsolveien - that's the name of our route. A side road of the E10 that runs along the north coast. Perfect for the midnight sun, just not at this time of year.

But who would have thought that we would pass exactly the same spot again half an hour later, just in reverse.

Well, 7 kilometers before we wanted to turn back onto the E10, a construction vehicle stopped us and explained that we could not continue. Typically Norwegian, some people build on the roads and someone else is responsible for the signage. But usually nobody does that. This is not the first time that has happened to us. This time we "only" have to drive back about 45 kilometers and lose about 50 minutes - that's a piece of cake! We've experienced something completely different and the landscape is beautiful!

We finally reach Henningsvaer. At my request, we drive to the unique football pitch in this place. Only with a drone flight can the special location really come into its own. It must be training when all the wooden racks are full of stockfish. Mmm..., it smells good, even now the smell is still in the air, even though all the racks are empty.

We continue on to Eggum. Oops, the overnight spot has gone up 100% and now costs 200 NOK. They offer a great view and fresh water. The kiosk's toilet is open all night, but we never use it, especially not in Corona times.

Well, the price is getting a bit steep.

Last but not least, there is also cozy camping. Well, maybe we'll move our parking space.

There is also art to admire here. A short walk and you are standing in front of this sculpture.

Created by Swiss sculptor Markus Raetz, a stylized head made of iron ore looking due north.

To the north, that means Eggum would also be a good point for northern lights

Daily route: Lodingen - Eggum

Distance: 264 km

Travel time: 5 hours 20 minutes

Average consumption: 9 liters

Average speed 49 km/h

Pitch costs: 200 NOK including water

Noon 17°C

Evening 15 °C

Thursday, September 3

A wonderful late summer day is dawning. For us, that means the early bird catches the worm. We set off early and chug down to A.

A walk here is a must.

It's a shame the bakery with the delicious cinnamon rolls is closed. Forever?

There is also an obligatory stop in Sakrisoy. There is a nice specialty shop here. A delicious salmon ends up in our fridge and finally a cinnamon roll and a muffin on top.

Many photo stops follow, and as you can see, the quad bike is also used. Reine, Sakrisoy and Hamnoya offer wonderful aerial shots.

Caribbean beaches are also a must.

Once again we are standing in Uttakleiv at the end of this day. Even though the last

A lot has changed in the last 6 years, but it is and remains a wonderful place. The high season is over and the price still prevents some people from staying here.

Many locals come here to watch the sunset tonight.

We're curious to see if others will come later to watch the Northern Lights. The sky is pretty clear. The clouds have almost all disappeared. Is there enough activity?

Tagesstrecke: Eggum - A - Uttakleiv

Distance: 171 km

Travel time: 3 hours 59 minutes

Average consumption: 9 liters

Average speed 42 km/h

Pitch costs: 250 NOK incl. water/electricity

Noon 18°C

Evening 12 °C

Friday, September 4th

The night sky was cloudless and clear but unfortunately the Northern Lights did not appear. Activity is simply very low at the moment.

What storms must rage here sometimes that even the church has to be anchored with steel rods!

We leave the Lofoten and take the ferry to Melbu on the Vesteralen.

Here, too, there is still a lot of new things for us to discover.

The announced deterioration in the weather conjures up impressive moods.

The first unknown place we head to is Sto.

We are tired. Hoping for the Northern Lights kept us awake until midnight yesterday.

So the worsening weather has something good about it. We don't have to look for the Northern Lights today and can go to bed early.

Daily route: Uttakleiv - Sto

Distance: 236 km

Travel time: 4 hours 30 minutes

Average consumption: 8.2 liters

Average speed 52 km/h

Pitch costs: 200 NOK incl. water/electricity

Midday 15 °C

Evening 12 °C

Saturday, September 5

Nyksund - Link to Wikipedia

Nyksund - a place that somehow fascinates us. We explore it extensively.

And after we have digested the huge shock of the day, we can enjoy it.

There is probably a huge scary moment on every trip. We certainly know what it is. And this morning it happened.

Like every morning, after making the bed, I reach into Hansruedi's open storage compartment to take down his wallet. Only today, I reach into nothing.

And now the big search begins! We remember. Yesterday when filling up the tank, things didn't go quite right and Hansruedi didn't put the thing back in his trouser pocket as usual, but in his "Hudibelchtasche". But we also remember very clearly that it can't be at the gas station.

Did it fall out of the Hudi bag here on the pitch? So we search the place. Did someone find it and hand it in at the little pub where the reception is? But when will they open again? Is it somewhere in the Pfüdi? We turn almost everything over, look in every possible and impossible corner. The adrenaline, the nervousness, the inner anger, the rage, the despair and much more is rising.

Man, what's in there. Money is the smallest problem, it's not much. Credit cards, bank cards, driver's licenses, health insurance cards, etc. are the bigger problems!

Then I finally remember that Hansruedi searched the "bedroom" extensively for his Vicks nose stick last night and turned all the mattresses upside down.

Bingo!!!!!! The darned wallet was on the bed and ended up under the mattress when Hansruedi searched for it.

Our relief was huuuuuuuper big.

The weather was a very positive surprise for us that day. We were able to enjoy the rest of the day and the evening to the fullest in the small harbor of Maurnes near Sortland.

Day route: Sto - Maurnes, Sortland

Distance: 111 km

Travel time: 3 hours 4 minutes

Average consumption: 8.9 liters

Average speed 36 km/h

Pitch costs: 100 NOK incl. water/electricity, excluding electricity

Noon 14 °C

Evening 12 °C

Sunday, September 6

The Hurtigruten ship Midnatsol is just leaving the port of Risoyhamn and is sailing under the bridge, and we are currently sailing over it. It simply refuses to answer our extensive honking, but the few passengers we see all wave to us.



Today we decide to chug along the east bank to Andenes. We don't know this side yet. Our conclusion: The west side is certainly more interesting in terms of scenery, but thanks to our choice we see moose number 7 and 8. The mother is standing with her young in a meadow, really photogenic, and waits patiently until we've finished taking pictures. A little later we also spot moose number 9 in the bushes.

That could be the dad.

There is not much going on in the port of Andenes. However, there are a few motorhomes and buses at the whale safari office. So the whale safari could take place today.

We hope you had as great an experience as we did in 2015.

We decide to spend the night at the campsite in Andenes. The five of us are nicely spread out on the spacious grounds.

We enjoy a comfortable, relaxed afternoon. The weather is changeable, but the view of the sea is always beautiful.

Day route: Maurnes, Sortland - Andenes

Distance: 113 km

Travel time: 2 hours 42 minutes

Average consumption: 8.4 liters

Average speed 41 km/h

Pitch costs: 200 NOK incl. water/electricity