This morning we set off from our wild camping spot not far from a place called Skomo. We were quite early for a change and on the road before 9.00am. As soon as we were on the road we started seeing more spectacular scenery but as usual nowhere convenient to stop to take photographs. We made good progress on the 76 and soon we were back on the E6 heading north toward Mo i Rana, strange name I know but that’s how it’s spelt. Apparently the Mo part comes from an old farm that used to be near the modern town. The name of the farm comes from the Old Norse name Moar, which means sand or grass lowland. Rana means quick or fast probably relating to the swift flow of the nearby Ranfjorden. Anyway, the locals apparently just call it Mo, so much for all that history! Anyway, after all that we never even stopped in Mo i Rana on the way through. It just looked like another large characterless town. We did stop for a short while just outside the town though as I saw this lovely little waterfall with a wooden cabin at the side of it right on the main road. I had to dodge quite busy traffic and time my shot just right from the other side of the road but I think it was worth it!
After Mo i Rana we carried on toward Krokstranda knowing that the Arctic Circle Visitor Centre was about 20 minutes further on. This all took far longer than we’d expected because for practically the whole journey there were road works and by road works I mean a massive construction project to build a new road to replace the current E6. The new road is obviously going to be wider and faster than the old one but the devastation of the countryside along the way is heartbreaking to see. I couldn’t help trying to imagine how the homeowners on the route must feel seeing this huge scar being cut through what must previously have been a pristine alpine landscape.
As we got nearer the Arctic Circle you could see the landscape gradually change and become bleaker by the minute. It was a few minutes before we reached the visitor centre that we saw our first reindeer grazing not far from the side of the road. After all the anticipation I couldn’t help feeling a slight anti climax and then later on we saw loads of them chomping away at the grass further up the mountain sides. We had a wander around the visitor centre looking at the usual troll figurines and assorted knitwear. Lynne bought a few gifts for people back home and we then set off for our next wild camping destination.
Which brings me to the present, we’re in a rest stop just outside the town of Rognan. Motorhomers are well catered for here as there is free drinking water and a place to empty the toilet! Whoopy doo!! Seriously, it’s nice because those facilities are provided free of charge and the area has benches and seating along with play areas for kids (of which there are none, thankfully!) So we’re settled for the night, with no real idea of where we’ll end up tomorrow. All part of the fun I suppose!
Wandering Wildman 