From the Lofoten to Fauske

It seems as if we leave just in time to escape the bad weather when we look at the sky. From an earlier crossing we had already learned it is wise to bring a coat and indeed, we surely need it in the firm and chilly wind. To the right a picture of Elisabeth with our Dutch 'neighbours' as we keep calling them. The crossing takes two hours and most of the time we spend inside, talking with them. We always like to get to know formerly complete strangers a bit in this way.

In Skutvik the weather is much better and all cars coming from the ferry drive in one long procession 36 kilometers to Ulsvåg and the E6. The road is narrow and winding, so everybody drives quietly on this only road that goes from Skutvik.

And again we drive through a wonderful landscape. We picnic somewhere near Tømmerneset, at the beginning of the Sagfjord. There is also a prehistoric rock drawing of an elk here and according to the travel guide it must be very impressive. Well, we don't agree when we finally find it, but maybe we are spoiled by the many detailed drawings we saw at Alta.

When we arrive at Fauske we first drive on towards Bødø, to the Saltstraum. Here is a narrow opening beween the sea and the fjord (150 meters wide, 3 kilometers long) through which every 6 hours (at ebb and at high tide) 400 million cubic metre water flows, in and out, which creates enormous whirlpools.

Ebb tide is just beginning when we have a look and the water is flowing very fast. Fish are caught by the current and kids catch them, one after another. A duck with chicken is being dragged along by the current to the middle of the flow where gulls feast on the helpless fish and maybe also on the chicken.

Our campsite lies directly along the E6, a bit past Fauske. Fortunately it is a quiet road so we don't hear much noise. But it isn't as warm as it used to be the last few days and when we want to sit outside we need a sweater. But all cabins we have had until now, were well isolated and inside it is very comfortable.