Day 15, The Day We Stripped!

Today was just one of those fab days! We woke up leisurely and had breakfast, before going out for a walk along the coastal path towards Haukland beach. The coastal path had been the original road to Uttakleiv before the tunnel was built, as late as 1990. The scenery was just breathtaking as it hugged the sea the whole way around. We shared the path with some sheep, as they enjoyed some of the picnic areas.

We stopped off at the most idyllic perfect little beach I have ever seen. I couldn’t pass up the chance to have a beach to ourselves, even if we did have to share it with some sheep! The water was just so amazingly clear and blue, we just had to do it! Soon, we were down to our pants and in we went! It was bloody freezing, but our legs soon got used to it. It had to be done, and I stripped off down to my undies. Luckily, I had a more or less matching set on (and by that I mean a big black sports bra and big black granny pants, as opposed to a frilly red lacy thong set!) We might have spoiled a few photos for others who stopped on the path to photograph the beach, but did I care? Not a jot! Sometimes you have to make the most of the opportunities you get; granny pants or not!

I could have stayed there all day, but it was time to go. I felt quite sad walking back to the van, knowing we would have to leave this lovely beach; in fact The Times have declared it the “most romantic beach in Europe” which I can’t disagree with! I took loads of photos as we came back, knowing these would have to keep me going through the long winter months. If ever we come back to the Lofotens we will definitely spend longer here.

We drove on, and managed to spot more lovely beaches. This area of the Lofotens, the Vestvagoy is definitely my favourite; beautiful beaches, rugged mountains and clear turquoise blue water.

We drove on to Leknes, which is quite a big town by Lofoten standards, with a population of around 3500 people. We called in at one of the biggest supermarkets we have been to. I find food shopping in Norway quite difficult. There is a sugar tax in Norway, so it is not easy to pick up a quick fresh cake or donut etc, and their chocolate is mega expensive, and there’s not much of it at all! Pop is also very expensive. The coke is 3 pounds 20 for 1 litre, and the bar of chocolate I show is 3 pounds 65! We didn’t buy any! We also have failed dismally at this language thing! We bought, what I thought, was a nice bit of expensive Norwegian cod, only to find (after I had taken the first mouthful) that it was slightly salted cod. If that was was they call lightly salted I would hate to taste really salted! It was horrible; I couldn’t eat any of it; what a waste. I was also intrigued by the packets of dried salted cod, hanging everywhere as a tasty snack. Umm, no thanks, not for me! Also I have no idea who the little girl is on the tins, or what is in the tins, but she is everywhere. The supermarkets also only sell beer and cider. For anything stronger you have to go to a government owned store called the Vinmonopolet, which is the only place you can buy alcohol stronger than 4.75%. It is very expensive as it is heavily taxed as part of a strategy to curb alcoholism. I bought an eye wateringly expensive bottle of small batch Norwegian gin, which worked out at 35 pounds for 50cl. I have to drink it slowly!!

We then drove on to where we hoped to stay tonight; the famous fishing village of Reines on the island of Moskenesoya, which has been dubbed one of the world’s most beautiful villages. It has red and white fishermen’s huts dotting the shoreline, and huge granite mountains shooting out of the Reinefjorden. It is beautiful, and peaceful, and we have an idyllic free spot overlooking the water. We sat outside enjoying the sunshine and the view and Lyn cooked some of his beloved sausages (yuck!), before watching the sunset and opening the gin for a VERY small one!