We travel to compare our imagination with reality.
Motorhome trip to Norway Lofoten and Northwest France
My parking in Trondheim was a little uphill, so the start with the bicycle was easy. Wait for the return… I found many spots where I were in 2017 on my way back from the North Kap. That is not difficult because the central area is not very large.
From Trondheim to Kristiansund.
Parking Kristiansund near the yacht harbor.
From the stroll to town and back.
First thing in the morning was to thank that family again for their hospitality. There was not much further conversation because of quite a language barrier.
Drive back to the parking at Torghatten and get ready to move upwards again.
Pattern on the walls
View to the north
From the stroll on the northern side.
Leaving Torghatten on route to Trondheim.
The last picture was taken the next day only as it was late when I found the free parking spot in Trondheim – in cycling distance to town. Well spotted.
The plan was to drift along the coast in Helgeland. Last night I left that route because of the bad weather. This morning looked a bit friendlier and I found a way back to the coast. How tired I was last night can be seen by the fact that I did not take any picture from my parking location.
From Mo i Rana to Tjoetta
Between Tjoetta and Vevelstad
Arrived at Torghatten
From the stroll around the mountain with the bike.
When I looked for parking overnight, I asked somebody and was invited to stay on their yard in front of the house. A family from Lithuania.
Time has come to say goodbye to the Lofoten. Reflecting that I almost gave up and pushed then up to here in two days I was very pleased and grateful that I had 8 smashing days.
Caught the ferry really at 07:00 a.m.!
From the transfer to Bodoe.
Heading south along the coast on the Fv 17 into Helgeland.
Stopped here and there for a break and some photos. Got the motorhome quite leaning.
Waiting for the ferry from Jetvik to Kilboghavn.
The waiting for the ferry and then the driving was strenuous and I changed my destination from Nesna to Mo i Rana and turned off in Maela.
It was already late and dark when I arrived in Mo i Rana, found quiet parking and called it a day.
Last evening I had a great chat to my Austrian countrymen Rene and Magdalena. Amongst others they recommended that I climb “Reinebringen”, a hill which overlooks Reine. It has almost only steps and is easy to manage.
It was a short way to walk to the entrance of the path. After the bridge I turned left into a rather small single walking trail. I did not get suspicious although the Austrians spoke about steps. I thought they will come shortly.
To cut a long story short, I ended up in steep terrain where I could neither go forward nor backward. I called Rene and he saw me from the distance. He said, you are on the wrong mountain, you turned much too early. So I had to take my heart in my hands and pull myself together to get down again. It really cost me lots of blood, sweat and tears…
It went all well and I carried on the 20 minutes on the side of the road to reach the “steps”.
I believe the pictures speak for themselves. As it was very windy and chilly up there in about 460 m, I went back down after some 30 minutes. The steps had an average height of about 30 cm. That requires careful descending.
Just mention that my muscle pain (from the lactic acid) lasted 4 (!) days. Not used to so many steps downhill.
Carried on to the very (south western) end of the Lofoten Islands, to A.
Spent the evening in A in a well positioned and recommendable restaurant Rorbuer.
One can see there was now sunset in A so I decided to drive still to Moskenes to queue in time for the ferry departing tomorrow at 07:00 a.m.
If you look at the distances I drove, you can see that some of the hotspots are really near to each other. The day will evolve in a most enjoyable manner (must have mentioned that before).
Already yesterday I met a German doctor who knew Norway, the Lofoten and actually Arctic and Antarctic very well and he recommended a few more “musts” on the Lofoten. So first thing in the morning led me to Fredvang Beach.
Fotos from the road to Fredvang.
Cemetery Fredvang.
Another lengthy walk at Fredvang Beach.
Some might say they are repetitive. I cannot get enough of these baches and became addicted walking along them.
Fredvang fishery, which I discovered myself 🙂
Next stop will be Lund, another recommendation from Mr. German doctor.
Mr. Blacksmith was a pleasure to talk to about his craft.
The day still had much more to offer. Heading for Reine.
I had to stop at that place for a snack with a view.
Images from Reine.
In a distance northwards.
When I look at it, quite an amazing eventful day, still without any stress, just relaxed roaming from sighting to sighting.
When I left in the morning after breakfast I was not only charged by the fruits and green tea, but also from the high amount of positive energy Haukland Beach provided freely.
I headed for Leknes but found no reason to stop and carried on to Nusfjord. What a romantic place for the tourist, probably still a village with hard working fisherman and innkeepers.
The parking was already elevated but I still climbed to the top of the hill. It was worth it.
Colors, forms, mirrors and the magic of the north made it another unforgettable “let time stand still” moment.
But the day was still long and I headed for Flakstad direction north again.
Again nearby was a famous beach for surfers with a camping ground and informal parking. Choose the latter. But before I asked the camping manager whether I could dispose my grey water and chemical toilet and fill fresh water. No problem.
Skagsanden Beach
Another lovely evening stroll
My favorite details
It proved to have been the right decision in Lillehammer listening to the German lady and turn back up north.
The reason to come to Borg is actually only the Viking Museum. Google was just not quite up to date with the opening times. They changed from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00. So the relaxed morning became a bit longer.
The waiting was worth it. I should have taken a photo from the ticket lady. She was actually Mexican and spoke 7 languages, all latin ones and English and German. I was impressed, to say the least. And she was not unpleasant either.
Nearby was one of their famous ships, just presented a bit neglected.
The church was modern and a place of good energy and peace.
Next recommendation was Haukland Beach. I was curious what I will find there and was increasingly impressed the longer the afternoon lasted.
And a sunset for the mirror lover.
After the eventing walk I prepared my dinner and had a most peaceful night at Haukland.
I followed a recommendation from a web site with the top 11 “must visit location” on the Lofoten. Gimsoy was a little up north and looked to be remote. It was, and generally in the year of Covid 19 and late in the season, I was never in a crowd.
After arriving I went for a long walk along the beach, completely on my own and enjoying the light breeze and the typical smell of sea water.
And very relaxing is to look for beautiful mussels or at least for some patterns in the chaos.
When I returned I felt I had to do some exercise, took the bike and started to cycle along the road to west. It would lead around the island with about 50 – 60 km. It did not come to that distance.
But what came was a sheep resting on a rock.
As the conditions were rather unfavourable with gusty winds and light showers of rain the pleasure was limited. On top of it I saw a golf course on the way (Lofoten Links), enquired about the booking situation and decided to cut short the round around the island…
I enjoyed every minute on the 9 holes I played. Not knowing the details was costly in lost balls (although when I search for mine, I always find others). The strong side and head wind gusts added to the challenge. But what a scenery and excitement to be there at all.
The club rooms were only average but the shower after sports is always unbeatable.
There was no suitable spot for parking the motorhome overnight, so I decided to head for Borg. There was free parking near the Viking Museum.
The day has come to approach the “real” Lofoten. In 2017 I came until Svolvaer and this year I will dive further into the islands to the very end in A.
Side stepping from the main road to a small, small village and ferry docking station.
Another little detour to a remote cap.
Fotos from Laupstad, fairy tale land.
Photos from Svolvaer.
Fotos from the way to and from Henningsvaer.
