Lofoten
After crossing the Tjeldsund Bridge, we have now reached Lofoten.
Lofoten is a collection of larger and smaller islands in Northern Norway with approximately 24,000 inhabitants and fishing as the main occupation. The islands are connected by bridges and tunnels, so it is easy to get around.
We quickly notice that the mountains here are more jagged and rough, compared to those we have seen on the mainland.
A little outside a small fishing village, we stop and sit and look out over a fjord where the water is low. Suddenly the eye catches a movement and we can see that an otter is jumping over the stones to find food.
It is the first time that we have seen an otter in the open, and it is significantly larger than what we remember.
But it's fun to sit and look at it and see that list around in the hunt for food.
We don't have to drive far before we see animals again. Now it's a young sea eagle that has caught our attention. It sits completely still in the grass and looks.
There are quite a few sea eagles flying around up on the mountain side. It is beautiful to look at.
Nice to see such animals. It's better to celebrate with a roasted sausage, with the best view.
The biggest surprise comes when we arrive at a beach that looks like a Caribbean sand beach with turquoise water.
It should have been 30 degrees warmer, then you couldn't tell the difference.
We really want to jump in the water, but on second thought, the 5-10 degrees aren't that enticing.
It's approaching rain and wind, so we'd better seek shelter for the night. We settle close to a barn, so we stay a bit sheltered. It shakes well in the tent when you get a proper sea breeze coming in from the side.
There is a little mouse that has made a trip in the grass almost next to the car. Once in a while it comes right out and has a look, but it is not that interested in our take a way restaurant with spaghetti.
We get a good breakfast with freshly baked buns. It is a really good thing to be able to bake buns in the Cobb grill. We are very happy about it.
The weather has improved a lot and the landscapes we pass are simply beautiful.
It must be said that Lofoten lives up to expectations. We have driven from one end to the other and seen really beautiful landscapes.
We continue towards Moskenes. We have decided not to drive all the way back across Lofoten, back to the mainland. But grab a ferry to Bodø.
We drive a bit around the town, a nice little town. There is now a very special atmosphere, over Norwegian wooden houses and mountains.
We find a campsite and ask if they have a place with shelter, because the weather forecast promises storms and gales. They refer us to a place with a piece of rock sticking up. It must be ok, we think and say yes, thank you.
From our place a little up on the mountain, we can look down to the ferry port. The small boats will probably take a beating in the wind.
After dinner and camp fun, we go to bed. It has blown up more and we are actually getting a little worried about sleeping in the roof tent. It shakes well and jerks the car when there is a gust of wind. Johnny quickly falls asleep and Sus lies awake half the night to make sure we don't blow away.
Fortunately, we have to state that the roof tent is quite solid, and everything is ok when we wake up in the morning. Then we have become so clever. It's also nice to know what it can hold.
We drive down to the ferry and head back towards the mainland. The waves are really high and hit the windows of the ferry. But they are long and soft so we don't get seasick. We can just sit and admire the wild sea.