Cycling North

The mist crept up overnight, so no more hill walking or exploring. Instead a cycle back down the hairpin bends to Honningsvag and the sun.                                   Had just settled at a cafe when Gabriel appeared along with Francesco the Italian I had met at the campsite in Tromso. It is amazing how the day goes when chatting to friends, in the sun, overlooking the harbour. 4 pm before I knew it.     Staying with Tove again on Sunday night and looking forward to the crabs I have been promised. So a bus back part of the way seemed in order (cycling North not home). However not one until Sunday morning, so cycled south to a small fishing hamlet, and asked if there was somewhere I could camp.      Well they took me to a house facing the sea/fiord, owners away on holiday and I just put up my tent on their decking. Even shown by the fishermen to a shower roo...

So a great night last night thanks to Tove, who fed me,( a barbecue with salmon), laundered clothes, then transported me back to rhe North side of the 7km long sea tunnel.   It was then a cycle up to the campsite before the top where I set up my tent as a base camp. The mist was rolling in starting low and working up, so I had to cycle to Nordkapp in the afternoon before there was a grey out. Lucky it was still sunny at the Cape plus I was able to climb a small hill to get some views.   A lot of tourist traffic at the top -a bit like John oGroats. So I have cycled nearly  2000 miles. Been to the top of the U.K. and the top of Europe. Now I just have to get home.

Wednesday 18th- 64 miles to Olderfiorden Thursday 19th -50 miles approx. To just before the sea tunnel which takes me onto the Island where Nordkapp ia at the top of. So yesterday was hills and plateaux, very hot but difficult to stop because if I did the flies started to lap up my sweat. Did find a nice rest stop with a bench and shade cover to have a siesta at one point. Watched emergency services race past. When I started cycling again I passed a long tailback of parked cars- a car had crashed into ditch. They let cyclists through. A long stop at Skaidi, then when it got cooler enjoyed cycling the next pass.   Reached campsite late. The shower and sauna were combined. A couple of very overweight Finns making use of the facilities (male with no clothes on) not a pretty sight! Today cycling north... beautiful, hot, tunnels, reindeer,silver shops and have now been collected and taken home by my Norwegian cyclist friend who I passed on a steep hill earlier in the trip. ...

I cann t believe how hot is has been today! I have my winter gloves and cold weather gear packed at the bottom of my panniers. I expected to be wearing them at this stage. Have passed families playing in the fjords, at the edge, not actually seen anybody swimming, but I have heard of some cyclists who have.     A new road has/is being built; not a lot of traffic. The new road is good because it is smooth to cycle on and many of the sharp bends have been blasted away, but bad because like all new highways there is no shade as surrounding vegetation has not grown back yet. A few new tunnels- one 2.5 km one I had to cycle through  Others required a detour, which provided shade but also mean a big climb.  Passing stalls selling Sami made trinkets and reindeer skins. Also on one detour passed an old church built for the copper miners. A big mining operation in the past.   Also talking to a lot of people during my frequent stops. I enjoyed my break with a pleasant...

 Fish Drying Rack Sunday evening view of the hills from my campsite. Monday morning's treat-coffee and cake!

To Alteidet Carrying on cycling along the E6 the only through road. Mountains, hills, down to sea level then up again. Sun shining, views fantastic. A few old World War 2 sites For example a crumbling concrete German bunker. Norwegian prisoners of War had to keep the road I have been cycling free from snow so that the Germans could get supplies through,.   I have also started to Enter Sami territory. Road side stalls selling trinkets made from reindeer antlers. Have also been cycling through reindeer habitat but have not seen any yet.