Overland to Scandinavia and more! Spring 2017

[XCovlov70]

Nice pictures. Hope the trip south gets you warmer weather.

Hi ssicarman!
We think it has, as all the Snow seems to be melting away! The Barometer has gone UP, while the wind when it rises can be a bit chilling, but over all it is getting warmer! Yippeee!

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Scandinavia and more!
Spring 2017

Bleik to the middle of nowhere!

Time once again to move on, so off we go onto a non-major road to go back down the other side of this land spit from Bleik to a place I found on Google Earth which looked rather nice and peaceful!......

No it wasn’t this nice little island in the middle of a frozen lake!......











The view across to where we were……



As we come into the village of Nordmela we see this large fish processing plant out by the harbour……



With these large wooden racks on the opposite side that looked like they were for drying Cod Fish to be sent to Portugal as Bacalhau……



Having found somewhere to park, which was on the forecourt of the garage in Nordmela we set off for a visit to the Fish Processing plant……



The view back to the village……



The wooden racks were huge……



While it wasn’t the Cod Fish hanging up drying out……



But the Cod Fish Heads which are destined for Africa and Fish Soup……



While the dried out heads are then moved to a shed for packing……



The harbour with the small fishing fleet some of whom were still out fishing……



Making our way back to the garage we decided on having a coffee, went inside and asked for the coffees and went to pay to be told that ‘Today is a celebration for us here as we won a Norwegian Prize for the best kept village, so today the coffee and cake is free’ WOW!……
(Sorry, I took a bite of my piece of cake before taking the picture and it was delicious)



After remembering our manners and saying ‘Thank you’ to the ladies in the café we got back on the road ……



Then not much further on and we came to the place I found on Google Earth……



Except for the odd vehicle going past it really was a case of:

‘Come and listen to the Thunder of the Silence’……





But no sunset as the Sun disappeared behind a mountain at around 21:30hrs while the ‘daylight’ was still there at 01:30hrs this morning!

Moving on again tomorrow!......

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Scandinavia and more!
Spring 2017

The ‘Middle of Nowhere’ to Forrfjord!

WOW! Well after a very peaceful night it was time to be off again to our next place which was going to be Forrfjord!......
As we came into the first little village on the road……





Then back over that high bridge we came over on the way up!......



And down the other side……







We are sure these Reindeer are still in the same field as we passed by……



Then a short time later we get to our next place at Forrfjord……







The river at the side of the parking place with all the snow melt going into the sea……





Now for hopefully another nice quiet evening & night!......

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Scandinavia and more!
Spring 2017

Forrfjord to Maurnes Bathavn

WOW! Well after a very peaceful night and a last look across to the mountains, it was time to be off again to our next place which was going to be Forrfjord!......



I wonder if this ‘vehicle’ is hired out when the going gets a bit ‘tough’ in the snow?





Then after a very short trip we arrive at Maurnes Bathavn and get set up!......







Quick cup of coffee and we set off to go and have a look around the town of Sortland.
So it was back through the roadworks……







Then with Sortland on the other side of the fjord we turn right as we get to the bridge and make our way to the centre of the town……



The church on the hill……



While on the other side of the hill is this small flock of baby lambs outside a house inside a penned area……



Having found a parking place we went off into one of the supermarkets for a couple of items including some Carrots that when we picked up the bag found that they had been grown and exported from the UK, but they were at least three times the price of what we would pay back in the UK!



Children’s National Costume Dresses as the 17th May is National Day in Norway with celebrations being held in the town that we hope to get back to watch……



WOW! This looked like a professional ‘grafting’ of a Caravan onto a Mercedes Flat Bed Truck……



The entrance gate to a small cemetery……



Not sure what the purpose of the metal structure was that this chap was lying under, but he seemed to be waiting for something to come out of the spout!......



Interesting but they did not move……



Old grass roofed building on the dockside……



One of the views across the fjord……



The bridge from the Sortland side of the water……



All the ‘black dots’ in the field is a gaggle of Canada Geese that we passed on our way back to the Bathavn……



After a spot of a rather late lunch, I then went off to the end of the harbour and tried a little fishing, but nothing was biting……



Sunset at 23:00hrs last night…..



As the Sun slipped further down, the Mountains took on an eerie ethereal purple glow which was very nice……



Tomorrow is going to be a nice lazy day!......

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Scandinavia and more!
Spring 2017

A lazy day at Maurnes Bathavn

After a quick trip into Sortland, as the town starts to get ‘dressed overall’ for the National Day Celebrations on 17th May!......



The Hurtigruten Cruise Ship arrives to also take part……



The small ‘green’ boat is a Catamaran Tug!......



Then as we got back to the Bathavn we spot this little fellow in the bay!......



And then there were a pair……



As the man who was painting on his boat yesterday up till 23:30hrs last night, launches it today and went home with 480Hp pushing him along at 21 knots!......



The we did nothing till Sunset arrived, and it lasts for a very long time up here as the Sun seems to ‘sink’ a lot slower…….



























As I was going through the previous pictures and getting ready to start the uploading I happened to glance through the window of the ‘TinTent’ and my mouth dropped open at the sight I was looking at with the colours coming through the bank of trees!
So it was a dash back to the waters edge with the camera ready, and the following results came in nicely!......

















Tomorrow is hopefully going to be interesting at the National Day, so I’m off to bed!......

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Scandinavia and more!
Spring 2017

17-05-2017, National Day Celebrations in Sortland

I believe the literal translation of the words in the next picture are ‘Congratulations Happy Birthday’ as the National Day Celebrations started here in Sortland with a Flag raising and a 21 Gun Salute at 08:00 this morning on the dockside!......

We heard the Gun, but missed the Flag raising….



The ceremonial stand and II World War Memorial……



A close up of the memorial to the fallen of WWII……



The parade band and flag bearers……





Ladies in Regional Costumes of Norway……





Children making their ‘speeches’……













As the 1st Parade moves off, with the flags of the twinned Russian Town ‘Monchegorsk’ and its representatives in the parade……







Mother and Daughter in Sami Costumes, that depict their Sami Tribe……







Sailors representing the inshore fisheries protection service, and it was raining quite heavily at the time and they never moved!......





The arrival of the Hurtigruten Ship ‘MS Nordkapp’……



As the Passenger and Cargo Doors/Ramps opened fully automatically……



Even the ‘Safety Rails’ on the Passenger Gangway went vertical automatically!......



Which allowed some of the Captain & Crew to come ashore and take part in the celebrations……





Welcome ‘speech’ and some information about the annual event surprisingly both Russian & English, but not Norwegian……



Another lady in the Sami clothes of her Sami Tribe……



There is ‘Mr Top Hat’ again and a few friends……



As we then ‘Get Onboard’ the Hurtigruten for a look around as ‘Port Guests’ and it did look very sumptuous inside!......













A last picture as this day is really for the children in Norway……



Back on the road tomorrow for our last couple of days in Norway, BUT I will not be able to upload any updates for a few days!......

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Scandinavia and more!
Spring 2017

Maurnes Bathavn to Bjørnfjell (Mountain Pass)

We could hear the sound of children’s voices from somewhere this morning and opening the door of the ‘TinTent’ then saw what looked like a group of schoolchildren out on an external lesson, while in fact they were going through a ‘beach cleaning exercise’ under the supervision of the Teachers.......





Time to get back on the road as we pass Sortland and Siegerfjord……









It did beg the question as to how this boat ended up here, but there was no one around to ask as we went past!……







Looks like a couple of ‘Trolls’ waiting for customers……





As we then see the bridge that takes you from the mainland into the Lofoten Islands, which we have to go back over to leave……





Then going around a switchback of the road we get a close up……





Once over the other side we find that the next bridge that connected Narvik has been partially demolished and the only way now open is via a NEW TOLL ROAD, which also confronts us as we head back to Sweden on the E10!……
I will expand on the difficulties associated with this at the end of this update……



Next place was the ‘Snow Barriers’ at the start of the Bjørnfjell Mountain Pass!......





What a change of conditions! 10 Days ago as we came the other way, we had just gone through a heavy snow storm and had around 25 to 35Kgs of Ice hanging off the outfit, while today the temperature outside was approaching 20C!……





As we pulled into the Rastplats we could see this ridge of snow that was nearly ready to create a mini avalanche!……


It was a very peaceful place until the Truck pulled in at around 05:00hrs and kept his engine running for around 20 minutes before it pulled back out and away!......









Right: Norway and its Toll Roads!
On a previous trip over here we travelled along 3 Toll Roads and on each one pictures were taken by overhead cameras that were then sent to a company called Euro Parking Charge (EPC) who sent the invoices to our home address.
While in Norway we were advised that we could pay the charges at any Shell Garage, but after 7 Garages and 7 refusals from the Shell Garages we had no choice but to give up and wait till we got back home.
Upon arriving home we found the invoices in the post and because we had gone over the time limit for payment there was a significant fine imposed and a threat of Court Action if we failed to pay!
While I duly paid the value of the Toll Charges I refused to pay the additional fine charges, but contacting EPC was in a word a Nightmare!
Eventually after a very long, traumatic and stressful time the additional fine charge was dropped.

For this visit we have ‘attracted’ 2 Toll Road Charges that in total add up to 86NOK however if once again the invoices are not paid within a certain time after being received we automatically incur a fine of a further 300NOK!!!

Trying to pay the Toll Charge while in Norway is impossible.

Being under 3.5Tonne we do not need an AutoPass ‘GO’ Box that initially costs 500NOK while any Toll Fees are deducted as you go along, but after you depart from the country again it is impossible to get the refund of the difference as well as handing in the ‘GO Box’

My advice to anyone currently contemplating a trip to this country is that if you are under 3.5Tonnes and you do not need the ‘GO’ Box, as it is compulsory if you are over, then plan you trip to miss the Toll Roads as once on them you will be hounded for payment.

Sadly while the Toll Roads are being expanded all over the country, tourists are not coming due to all the associated Toll Road ‘problems’.

P.s To get to the Lofoten Islands and miss that small section on the E10 would have meant a 245 Mile diversion, BUT I am not looking forward eventually to the hassle and stress of sorting out the payment.

Next stop tomorrow is thankfully back in Sweden!......

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Scandinavia and more!
Spring 2017

Bjørnfjell (Mountain Pass) to Lappenasuando

No Midnight Sun up here in the mountains but still getting daylight at the bewitching hour!......

The workshops for the Road Maintenance Vehicles……



Four ‘Bikers’ who went past on a much clearer road than we had when we were going the other way 10 days ago!......



Looks like a slab of dark chocolate cake with some icing on top……



Overcast sky and quite cold but at least there was no snow or ice on the road!......



But the snow that was left at the side was still quite high in places……



This ‘Digger’ was sat on top of the packed snow……



Unless you had long legs and waterproof boots and trousers, there was no chance of getting to these cabins…...





Finally get to the Norwegian Border Crossing point, with not a soul in sight……



Then the Swedish Border Crossing point with 2 people walking along the pavement who were not in any kind of uniform……



Helicopter sat on a snow mound as it was a Helipad Station……



Now going back into Lappland……



With the Winter Holiday Village down below near the still frozen lake!......



Not forgetting the Caravan Park that was also there……





This was the ‘Rastplats’ that we stopped at on the way over and looked at all the snow and ice that we had collected as we passed through the snow storm coming from Kiruna, and the snow on the ground has certainly receded……



This place seemed to be for both winter and summer holidays but no caravan park and only the large ‘Hotel’ type buildings!......





You can still see the Ski-Doo tracks across this frozen lake quite clearly……



While it was still very thick as we saw these 2 men ‘Ice Fishing’ by boring a hole through the ice and dropping their fishing line down the hole……





The Double Electric Engine ‘Iron Ore Train’ from Kiruna on its way to Narvik where the iron ore is transferred to ships……



While there must have been over 50 ‘Wagons’ attached to the Electric Engines, there are 8 or 9 of these trains every day of every week. It is not surprising that the town of Kiruna is sinking due to the mining operation……



As we get into Kiruna and see the Mine. Each side of that column of steam is what has been extracted from the Mine and it’s still coming out as the Mine expands……





A monument to a mining town that might just sink into the ground along with the town!......



Out of Kiruna and back on the open road……



As we make a detour to this place……



At the end of the village is the Sami Church, which we have visited before and hasn’t changed a bit……









Then making our way from the church to the Sami Camp which is next door, sadly we find it closed as last time we were able to have a Sami meal, but not this time as they are away and the Reindeer have gone with them……





Then just a bit further down the road is this Bear having a nice relaxing time at the entrance to the ‘ICE HOTEL’……



Which once again has started melting, but there is more of it now than there was during our previous visit……





Wellingtons and Mackintosh now required for just visiting, while interestingly it seems the place has a new addition in the form of an Ice Making Plant on the far side that produces the large Ice Blocks that are part of the construction for the Winter Season!…..



Or you can stay in a normal Cabin Room if you would prefer……



As we then finally arrive at the Rastplats at Lappenasuando we cannot believe how much snow has melted from our previous visit 11 days ago, especially as we know that it has also snowed since, so Summer seems to be arriving albeit rather later than last year when you talk to the local residents……



Even the river close by is now flowing……



As the Ski-Doo tracks melt away and disappear into the water……



Back on the road again tomorrow still heading South!......

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Scandinavia and more!
Spring 2017

Lappenasuando to Lansjärv Aire

The solitary Reindeer up on the embankment grazing!......



Nice little model of a house or houses at the side of the road as we went into the town of Gällivare looking for a caravan dealers, but asking a Taxi Driver there isn’t one, which was a surprise considering the size of the town!……



So it was back on the road and we see another Reindeer munching on a small patch of grass and not taking any interest in the traffic going past, while his Antlers have still got their winter coat on…..



‘Safety Barrier’ for the workforce on a bridge repair!......



One of the 25meter (75feet) long Trucks that can only operate in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland, while this Transport Company have been operating since 1948! Well that’s what it says on the side of this outfit, but I think the Truck and Trailer are much less than 69 years old!……



The Rastplats at Lansjärve……



While after asking if we can, we are allowed to stay more or less alongside……



Dinner of Mashed Potato, Reindeer & Moose Meat in a Sauce and a portion of Lingonberry jam, which all together was very tasty……



While a walk into the village showed us the following nice house……





The Cabin at the side of the lake where you ‘warmed up’ after jumping into the lake before the ice came and froze it over!……



As the Ski-Doo tracks seem to go all over the place on this lake……



Tomorrow sees us on our last part of Sweden and our last night in this country…..

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Scandinavia and more!
Spring 2017

Lansjärv Aire to ??

Well our trip today didn’t quite work out as planned.
We were going to a Rastplats called Kerasjoki which is in Sweden and just before the border with Finland, except when we got there as it was Sunday, the place was full of East European Trucks parked in all the bays and who were there till Monday due to EU Driving Regulations, so we continued to our next stop in Finland which is Iin Sillat Camping…...

But firstly we had to come back across the Arctic Circle Line, which was here……







The vertical stones were spotted a bit further South but not sure if they were anything to do with a Sami Tribe or not......









As we then made a diversion to this place as it appeared on a number of the South Bound Long Distance Buses in Scandinavia……



The having found a suitable place to park, we went off for a walk around the town……







No comment!......



The Church in the town……



Nice little cottage in the centre of the town……



The main road through the town with the Coop Supermarket on the left with all the green flags outside……



The Fire Engine Station!......





Looks like someone left part of the Wedding Photo set behind?……



As we watch all the small ‘Ice Floes’ come down the river……





Interestingly both the buildings in the next picture were closed……



As we set off from the town, a few miles down the road and we see this line of what look like old tractors……



Indeed it was a large area with all sorts of second hand tractors and other farm machinery presumably for sale…..





A museum, but as it was Sunday it was also closed……



The Border between Sweden & Finland, with no checks being made on anyone going either way……









As we then get to Iin Sillat we pass what looks like a ‘climbing frame’ for children, but is in fact a piece of Finnish artwork!......



The Iin Silaat Motel & Campsite……









Tomorrow is going to be spent ‘exploring’ around the village!..