05.08.2017 Day 15

Kiruna(S)- Stave Camping&Hot Pools (N)

Distance 418km

Travel time 8 hours 50 minutes

Fitness challenge push-ups 300

Weather, rain&snow showers, 10-15C. Fog and 10C at the destination

Total km driven 3580km

After the rain subsided overnight, the morning was surprisingly mild. The sun even peeked through from time to time. (Which made me happy because it allowed the chairs and table to dry somewhat before departure.)

We had breakfast at the well-stocked campground buffet this morning and while I made the caravan ready to go, the kids played a round of mini golf with Sandra.

Interesting anecdote: the highest temperature in this area is 18C in July and what did we find in the shower house? Air conditioning!!! The best salesman in the world must live in Kiruna ;)

At 11:30 we were all in the car heading towards Lofoten.

Right from the start, just a few km after Kiruna, we encountered an unusual road obstacle. A herd of reindeer crossing the road and they didn't seem to be in a hurry. Neither were we. What an experience!

After about 1 1/2 hours, we entered the more mountainous North-West Sweden. But it wasn't just the mountains that characterized the new landscape. The vegetation also changed noticeably. The taller trees disappeared and the landscape became wetter, more barren, and rockier, with small streams and rivers running through it.

Simply fantastic.

We stopped at the sign for Riksränsen to take a photo for my grandfather, who enjoyed the midnight sun on the ski slope here many, many years ago - and then we crossed the border to Norway.

The landscape on the Norwegian side was slightly rougher, with more high rock walls. Once we reached the sea, we could finally see some fjords. Very impressive.

Another indication that we were no longer in Sweden were the roads. The Norwegian roads are technically fine, but compared to Sweden, they are much too curvy to cruise along with the caravan.

Unfortunately, it has been quite foggy on Andøya Island in the last few days, but we are optimistic that the weather will improve in our favor, we still have a few days left.