Go with the flow.

Today we are going to explore the Lofoten Islands…..not all of them because there are heaps.

You used to only access different islands by boat but now there are bridges and a tunnel. The first thing you notice is……how bright green everything looks and there are flat areas for farming. The Vikings must have breathed a sigh of relief to find such a great place to settle. Each island has small villages. We are moored near Leknes.

It’s raining again. You are a traveller so raincoat on and then to the  bus. We head through the countryside. It is beautiful with bright green fields edged by the soaring mountains. The holdings are small but there is livestock and some crops. Winters are milder here….0 degrees Celsius but you still get snow . Animals are wintered inside so you wouldn’t want thousands. In saying that,there are 24,000 people and 26,000 sheep.

Finally after crossing a few bridges and passing some villages, we arrive in the village of Henningsvaær. Fishing and tourism are the main industries though we did notice a few coffee shops.

Cod is considered a delicacy here….you can eat it fresh, dried as a snack ( like jerky) or soak it for 5 days or so and make fish stew. I am sure you can’t wait to try it.

  I did but the cafe was closed.

Look at this sign. It’s too wet today but perhaps another time. You climb up the mountain to the top rock and then you leap across to the other and climb down, if you make it. It’s not an extreme sport I will try , but you?

Here is where the variation happens. We are to return to the ship by boat to see the iconic red houses along the fjords. Not going to happen….it’s rainy and windy. I know you are disappointed but we will bus back(it’s getting late) make a mad dash to collect tickets and be ready to go on the tour to the Viking museum. Oh they are using tenders now so factor that in as well.No pressure.

Success…..we are on our way to the Viking Museum. A farmer found the remains of a long house on his farm. When archeologists uncovered the long house, it was 83metres long and 12 metres wide. It had belonged to an important chieftain.

It has been used to make a recreation of the long house and illustrate what is known about the Vikings. Remember it was not all pillage ,they settled , farmed and assimilated into a population.

I really liked the museum ,especially the section where the minions worked. They had so many crafts in one section.

Next to it was the entrance and then the main hall.

Did you enjoy the food? I don’t love dried meats or barley bread but it is better than cod jerky or barley soup. The mead gave me a buzz….I noticed you drank all yours too. The different sounds from the 3 instruments made for interesting music. I recognised the flute and the Lur but not the small ball flute.

I was surprised how warm the fire made the room but with a metre wide turf walls and roof , I guess you would expect it.. The guide told us how smoky it would be with a birch wood fire. Add the smell of the animals further down the building, the smell of the hides and wool being tanned or dyed….it must have been pungent.

Tired? Well , tomorrow shouldn’t be quite as hectic. Let’s hope it’s fine.