66°33'55''

I want to leave early in the morning...that was the plan last night. Unfortunately, the sleep lost to the midnight sun forces me to stay on the mattress for a bit longer.

The daily program doesn't sound very spectacular: straight north on the E6. Destination: the Arctic Circle. I don't expect much scenery along the way, as most of the day will be spent on a kind of highway, but I am surprised with every kilometer. The E6 runs as a highway, but constantly passes charming fishing villages, crystal-clear lakes, and foamy rivers. It could be worse on the nearly 600 kilometers. The closer I get to the Arctic Circle, the more interesting the landscape becomes. It somewhat resembles the mountains in the south, but is noticeably flatter and less overgrown. Instead, pine and larch forests prevail here. Additionally, I get to know...and hate...the Norwegian horsefly. No matter where you stand, it takes less than ten seconds and the herd has surrounded you...no chance.

Being stung and exhausted, I finally reach the Arctic Circle in the evening around seven o'clock. BÄÄÄÄÄM !!! Destination reached. By this time, the inevitable tour buses in Norway have long since gone, and only a few campers like me are left around the monument marking the 66°33'55'' northern latitude. After the obligatory photo session, I then find a spot on the river in Saldatal about 20 kilometers away and spend the time until the midnight sun warming up my leftovers from the chili on my now diesel-powered gasoline cooker. After some coaxing and taking it apart and putting it back together, we are friends again.

Unfortunately, I cannot provide a picture of the midnight sun. The driving of the day ensures that I find my way to the realm of dreams shortly before, well, let's call it sunset.